TBD TEA Mountain tea plantation

Nilgiri Tea

Nilgiri teas are a black tea indigenous to the southern hilly region of India nearest Sri Lanka. The word, Nilgiri, means Blue Mountain in Tamil. Classic Nilgiri teas have a clean, untannic, well balanced and slightly lemony flavor that combines the full bodied of northern Indian teas and the flavor of Sri Lankan or Ceylon teas. While Nilgiris are complex enough to be a self-drinker, they are are also often used as the base for chai. Chai is a spiced tea that is blended with milk. Nilgiris like many other Indian teas are strong enough to stand up well to the addition of milk, but many still prefer Nilgiris straight.

Cups of tea

Broken-leaf varieties can steep quite quickly and should be infused for a short time, while whole-leaf varieties can steep a bit longer.

The Nilgiri District, produces its best tea between the monsoons (the December to March Quality season) and designated as Seasonal Teas. While in the past almost all was processed into black tea, the district now produces green and oolong teas.