Love tea but want to explore new varieties you may not have tried before besides the usual chai blends? Here are some of our awesome regional teas and where you can buy them. And if you need cute accessories to go with them, check this out too.
Sip On This: We Broke Down The 5 Best Regional Teas From Around India For 2020
Assam Black Tea
₹220
Assam in the northeast of India is famed for its black tea. Assam tea is grown at lower altitudes in tea gardens and estates in the Assam Valley. Bold, bright and malty, Assam tea has a strong flavour. It's a quintessential Indian black tea and often served with milk.
Famous Tea Estates: Nonoi Estate, Monabarie Tea Estate, Manohari Tea Estate
Brew: For black tea, steep for 2-3 minutes. Take care not to brew for longer as the tea turns bitter.
More on Old Harbour here
Darjeeling Tea
₹599
Darjeeling tea is definitely one of the most famous of our Indian teas. Cultivated high up in the Himlayas, these teas, depending on how they are processed, are available as black, green, white and oolong teas. Light, with a floral aroma, Darjeeling tea was made for every delicate tea set you ever owned!
Famous Tea Estates: Happy Valley Tea Estate, Makaibari Estate, Glenburn Estate
Brew: Pour just-boiled water over tea leaves and steep for 3-5 minutes. For the best flavour, use loose leaves in a teapot.
More on Tearaja here
Nilgiri Or Blue Mountain Black Tea
₹995
Grown in the foothills of the Nilgiri Mountains in Tamil Nadu, Nilgiri tea is a fine black tea. Available in a variety of grades from fine aromatic orange pekoe to more affordable CTC tea, this is a versatile tea. Aromatic with medium-bodied flavour, Nilgiri teas can be taken without milk and since they don't turn bitter, they make awesome iced tea too!
Famous Tea Estates: Craigmore & Pascoes Woodlands
Brew: Pour just-boiled water over tea leaves and steep for 3-5 minutes
#LBBTip: Winter Frost Tea from the Nilgiri Mountains is a must-try
More on Clive's tea blends here
Kashmiri Kahwa Green Tea
₹450
Green tea is known for its great health benefits due to its high levels of anti-oxidants and low-caffiene content. Add to that aromatic spices and you've got a blend that's meant to calm you down.
Brew: Steep in just-boiled water for 3 minutes
More natural tea blends from Mai-T here
Meghalaya Green & Black Tea
₹213
I've got to admit, I've never tried or even heard of tea from Meghalaya, though of course, it shouldn't come as a surprise considering the favourable climates. Meghalaya offers both a lighter, aromatic Darjeeling-style tea and a more robust Assam-style tea, which come in green and black variants. The green tea is organic, fruity and soothing.
Brew: Steep in near-boiling water for 90 seconds. Green teas require a cooler temperature or they can turn bitter.
More artisanal teas from Folklore here
