India is one of the world's largest tea producing areas in the world with teas coming mainly from the Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Sikkim and Dooars regions. Tea production from each of these areas is quite distinct and you'll enjoy tasting many of the varieties that are offered as they become available.
The largest tea producing district in India, as well as the world, is Assam which accounts for about 75 percent of all the tea that is produced in India. If one were to stand at the seaport in New York City, and could see all the way to Chicago, they would be viewing the land that encompasses the Assam tea districts. In general, Assam teas range from a black to brown dry leaf and cup to a full-bodied, rich and malty taste. These teas are a particular favorite at Simpson & Vail.
Darjeeling's are the most famous of Indian teas and are sometimes referred to as the "champagne of teas". Their tea gardens are located on the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain range, at altitudes from 6,500 to 9,900 feet. The "First Flush" Darjeeling is plucked from March through April. "Second Flush" is plucked from May until mid July. In general, Darjeeling tea has a golden amber color, light flowery flavor and a sweetness of apricot and peaches.
These twisted, slightly tippy Assam black tea leaves from northern India are zestful and invigorating. They produce a deep copper colored cup, with a malty, mellow and full bodied flavor. Assam is truly the Bordeaux of tea! Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
Another wonderful organic tea from the Rani tea estate! The small, slender, black, slightly curled leaves have a malty aroma and brew to a bright cup with a deep amber liquor. The taste is smooth and slightly sweet, and leaves a creamy taste on the tongue. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
This Assam tea from the Doomni Estate has a headiness of aroma in the black, twisted and tippy leaves. The bright liquor yields a brisk, creamy brew with fruity overtones. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
This charming garden, located in the upper area of Assam just east of the Brahmaputra River, is named for the scenic beauty of the area. The black Estate This charming garden, located in the upper area of Assam just east of the Brahmaputra River, is named for the scenic beauty of the area. The black, elongated, twisted, tippy leaves brew to an medium bodied amber liquor with a delightful creamy, malty, slightly fruity cup and a honey-like aftertaste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
This outstanding jet-black, long, twisted leafed tea from the Satrupa Estate in Assam has a clean, fresh, mountain aroma. The tea yields a bright copper cup with a smooth, rich taste and is one of the thickest, creamiest and most malty Assam teas we have ever cupped. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
Located in the Mikir Hills, an extension of the Great Himalayan Range, in Umrangshu, at an elevation of 2000 ft (most Assam gardens are at a maximum of 150-200 ft), is the Kopili Tea Estate. Being situated in a sparsely populated area, where soils are rich in mineral content and covered with the lush evergreen rain forests, the Kopili gardens have benefited from the special climatic conditions and the virgin soil. The blackish tealeaves, with golden tips, brew to a bright copper liquor with a sweet musty smell and a bold malty taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
This tippy-leafed Assam tea from the Orangajuli Estate brews to a bright reddish color with a full body and a smooth, sweet, malty taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
This is an exceptional autumnal organic tea! Located in Lower Assam, at an elevation of 157 feet, the Rani tea estate has produced a black, medium twisted leafed tea that yields a bright amber cup. The taste is smooth and heady with a creamy maltiness and a fruity apricot aroma. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
The Rembeng Estate is in the Nagaon district of Assam. Their black tealeaves brew to an earthy aroma with a bright copper cup. The tea has a classical malty, strong, bold, refreshing, slightly lemon citrus taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
The Satrupa Estate is located in the eastern most region of Assam, closest to the Burmese border. This tea has large, black, twisted, tippy leaves that yield a bright copper cup with a creamy cocoa-like aroma, an abundantly full flavor and a strong malty taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
Our standard Darjeeling Black Tea is a blend of teas from all around the Darjeeling area, which are blended to create a consistent taste profile. This full-bodied, medium sized, tippy leafed tea brews to a bright amber cup with a smooth medium body, pleasing citral tones and a delightful champagne after-taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
The Ambootia Estate has had a fine history of tea cultivation since 1861, with their teas being both organically and bio-dynamically produced. The Premium Darjeeling is a blend of their 2nd flush and Autumnal teas that produces a full-bodied, bright cup, with a delicate, slightly sweet, champagne after-taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
The beautiful tippy, twisted, well-formed brown and black leaves brews to a bright amber cup with a delightful musk aroma and a taste that is sweet and floral with an oak-like finish. Produced from the clonal variety tea bush. Brew tea at 195º - steep for 2-3 minutes.
The beautiful tippy, twisted, well-formed brownish leaves brew to a bright amber cup with a delightful musk aroma and a taste that is sweet and floral with an oak-like finish. Brew tea at 195º - steep for 2 minutes.
While visiting from London in the 1930’s, Margaret, the daughter of the tea estate owner, saw the tea garden and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, Margaret fell ill and passed away on her Indian holiday. Her father re-named his estate after her to honor her memory. The Margaret’s Hope tea bushes are almost entirely Chinese jat which accounts for the green tippy leaf appearance and the superb fragrance. The leaves yield an amber cup with a true Muscat flavor found only in rare Darjeeling teas. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
