Darjeeling, INDIA
Darjeeling is regarded as one of "The World's Three Great Teas" along with Chinese Keemun and Ceylon Uva. Darjeeling enjoys a mountain climate with a wide hot and cold temperature range, lots of fog, and a variety of soils and geographical features making it perfect for producing fine tea. Major species are Chinese, but some (grafted) or Assam species are also grown. Taste differences in each season as well as from different plantations in 7 valleys are also a special feature of Darjeeling tea. Only the teas produced on 80 plantations using traditional methods and then nationally certified, are regarded as Darjeeling tea. British-style black tea production is still strictly followed after 150years.