What are the geographical requirements for tea cultivation?
Climate
• A temperature over 21°C during the growing season of not less than 8 months.
• Annual precipitation between 1270 and 6350 mm.
Highland Conditions
• Highlands or hill slopes where the natural drainage is good.
• Different grades of tea are obtained at varying altitudes. Example: the low grade “ LOW CROWN TEA” from tea grown below 610 metres.
Soil
• Most suitable soils are slightly acidic and without calcium.
• Presence of iron in the sub soil is desirable.
Shade
• Tea shrubs grow better when shielded from strong sunlight or violent winds.
Labour
• Tea Cultivation and processing are labour intensive.
Tea cultivation is done in which parts of India?
In India there are three main areas of tea cultivation:
1. Assam: In the Assam and Khasi hills
2. Darjeeling in the Himalayan foothills
3. Kerala, in the Nilgiris Hills and upper slopes of Western Ghats.
Tea is also produced in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The best tea comes from Darjeeling area but the greatest yields come from Assam.
What led to the development of tea industry in Darjeeling?
Due to the unique and complex combination of agroclimatic conditions Darjeeling tea has a distinctive and naturally-occurring quality and flavour which has won the patronage and recognition of discerning consumers all over the world for well over a century. The combination of several factors have combined to give rise to teas that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere:
Historical factors
British investment in Indian tea plantation activity
Climate
Morning fog, low temperature resulting into high grade leaf
Soil
Soil has good quantity of phosphorous and potash thus gives special flavour to Darjeeling Tea.
Highland Conditions
Grown in hills which prevents water stagnation
Labour
Permanent labour force working for generations and cheap Labour is available from nearby states.
Market
Local and Foreign demand.
In 2004-05 Darjeeling tea received the GI tag. Unlike most Indian teas, Darjeeling tea is normally made from the small-leaved Chinese variety of Camellia sinensis, rather than the large-leaved Assam plant. Traditionally, Darjeeling tea is made as black tea, however, Darjeeling oolong and green teas are becoming popular.
The major buyers of Darjeeling tea are Germany, Japan, the U.K., the U.S.A. and other E.U. countries such as the Netherlands, France etc. The majority portion of Darjeeling Tea is exported.
