Stash Darjeeling Green Tea
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Stash Darjeeling Green Tea

Darjeeling is a small resort town situated in northwest Bengal, 400 miles due north of Calcutta in the small neck of Indian territory that separates Nepal and Bhutan. Its location at 6500 feet provides a temperate, if rainy climate, and breathtaking views that allow the eye to travel from the scorching plains below, upward over a succession of mountains that culminate with the mighty Kanchenjunga, almost as high as Everest. Because of its location, Darjeeling was the hot-weather headquarters of the Bengal government under the British raj, and a popular vacation spot.

To the western world the name Darjeeling is synonymous with superb tea. This is because Darjeeling's mere forty two thousand acres under tea cultivation account for less than three percent of all tea that India produces. Darjeeling's reputation for quality tea is so high, India sells almost all of it abroad. Tea estates in Darjeeling range from less than four thousand feet to almost ten thousand feet in elevation.

The taste of Darjeeling varies with the seasons. The first flush or spring time tea, is harvested from late February to mid-April. The young leaves yield a light tea with a flavor of green muscat. The arrival of first flush Darjeeling is impatiently awaited by connoisseurs -- not unlike the arrival of Beaujolais wine --- and they are sometimes specially airfreighted. The second flush or summer tea, is harvested in late May and early June before the monsoon rains. These teas are darker and milder in taste than the first flush, but still possess the characteristic muscat flavor. The autumnal flush is harvested in mid October and early November. This tea is mild in flavor and aroma. After the autumnal flush is harvested, the tea bushes are virtually dormant until February.

Today, a small percentage of Darjeeling production is processed as green tea. Besides being a healthy drink, Darjeeling green has its own characteristic flavor which is quite different from green teas grown elsewhere in the world. Because of this distinctive flavor, the demand for Darjeeling green tea is increasing, along with its production.

Stash Darjeeling Green Tea is from the prestigious Risheehat Estate which was the first tea garden in Darjeeling to introduce green tea. Located in the eastern part of Darjeeling at an elevation of 4700 feet, the estate is over 1000 acres with an annual production of more than 600,000 pounds of tea.

Stash Darjeeling Green Tea is in a class by itself. It is soothing to the mind while invigorating and healthful to the body. It brews up an amber color cup and possesses the flowery bouquet, hint of muscat, and mellow character which Darjeeling is known for, with a distinctive green tea flavor. This tea is best enjoyed early in the afternoon and never with milk or sugar.

Visit one of the famous tea estates of Darjeeling India and experience some of the culture behind the growing of teas in this region.