Which Regions Produce Darjeeling vs Nilgiri Teas?

Darjeeling and Nilgiri teas are both "high-grown" Indian teas, but they come from opposite ends of the country and have completely different characteristics.

Darjeeling Tea

• Geographical Origin: It is grown exclusively in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of the state of West Bengal.
• Location: These are high-altitude (600 to 2,000 meters) gardens on the steep slopes of the Eastern Himalayas.
• GI Status: "Darjeeling Tea" is a protected Geographical Indication (GI). Only tea grown, cultivated, and processed in the defined 87 tea gardens of this region can be legally sold as Darjeeling.
• Characteristics: The cool, misty climate and unique *Camellia sinensis var. sinensis* (China bush) plants produce a light-bodied, floral tea with a distinct "muscatel" (grape-like) flavour.

Nilgiri Tea

• Geographical Origin: It is grown in the Nilgiris (Blue Mountains) district of the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Location: This is a high-altitude plateau (1,000 to 2,500 meters) in the Western Ghats mountain range in Southern India.
• GI Status: "Nilgiri Tea" is also a protected Geographical Indication.
• Characteristics: The tropical, high-altitude climate with two monsoon seasons allows for year-round plucking. The tea is intensely aromatic, fragrant, and bright, with a crisp, clean flavour. It is often used in blends and is a popular choice for iced tea as it does not cloud when chilled.