Tea is the national pastime of our country. Industries would grind to a halt, education will stop, a plethora of new ideas will stop in their tracks. This heady concoction of water along with tea leaves is an import from China, but Indians have taken to it like fish to water. The second most drunk beverage in the world, there are thousands of permutations and combinations that tea has gone through over the years.
One of India’s prime tea producing areas is in Darjeeling valley. The high altitudes offer a perfect combination of moisture and sunlight to provide for the perfect leaves. The brew with its aroma stays around due to the cloud cover, leading to Darjeeling becoming the tea capital of the world. One of Darjeeling’s pride is Gopaldhara Tea Estate. Established in the year 1881 Gopaldhara Tea Estate brings along a legacy of tea production of more than 130 years. Gopaldhara is located in Mirik Valley, and is one of the highest tea estates in Darjeeling. The total area of the garden is 320 Hectares. Out of this 172 Hectares have been planted with tea.
The new planting commenced after 1881 Most of the new planting has been done at an elevation between 5500 FT right up to 7000 FT. This is definitely one of the highest tea estates in Darjeeling having a sizable area of 60 Hectares at an average elevation of 6500 FT with the highest peak stretching up to 7000 FT. It has been planted with mixed clonal tea to produce rare and exquisite teas. The teas from such a high elevation are unlike any other teas from Darjeeling.
Gopaldhara is manufacturing premium teas, most of which are exported around the world and some distributed in India. They are manufacturing a wide variety of tea which includes White, Oolong, Green and traditional Darjeeling Tea. They also make Specialty and Hand Crafted Teas. A few rare exquisite ones they make include the Pearl Tea, Peony Rosette and Silver Needles. We taste the Chinese Special Green Tea and the Second Flush
Tasting Notes:
Vintage Green Tea
Consistency: Curled light green Leaves
Infusion: A light yellow, clear
Aroma: Rose
Mouth: Mellow flavours of roses
Ending: Medium stay on the palate
Second Flush
Consistency: Curled dark green Leaves
Infusion: A deep yellow almost orange coloured infusion
Aroma: Woody with slight hint of citrusy flavours
Mouth: Explosion of fruity, citrusy flavours
Ending: Stays on the palate for a long time
The explosion of flavours that Gopaldhara’s teas create on your palate surely deserve a taste. Check out their teas at http://gopaldharaindia.com/
