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Darjeeling blessed with the much needed Rain

By on March 20, 2009 in First Flush, Personal Ramblings

The grim attire which every tea garden in Darjeeling had worn was relieved today with some amount of rainfall. Apart from the tea industry’s worried look, each home in Darjeeling was suffering from acute water crisis.

All the homes in Darjeeling get its water supply from the reservoirs situated in Senchel, 10 km away from Darjeeling. Two reservoirs namely the North and South were almost empty and the natural resources or springs which fed it had begun to dry up due to insufficient rainfall. The South reservoir had almost dried up and the North only had about 8.7 feet of water when the actual figure of about 12 feet is necessary for adequate supply.

The Darjeeling Municipality was supplying water every 15-20 days to sustain the adverse situation. It had slowly compelled the residents to buy water brought from far away natural spring resources by tankers.

Darjeeling seemed clad in dust and the prevailing dry condition resembled the polluted Indian plains. I had chapped skin and had to use moisturizers to keep it going smooth :)

Hope today’s rain will solve the problem for a while, but we need more rain.

Darjeeling got the rain – what about Darjeeling tea production now?
Definitely, the production quantity of Darjeeling will be low when we take in consideration of the time period of each tea season. If the rain had occurred during the winter season then there would be more time and hence more production of teas before the “banji” period entered. Now there is less time for bulk tea production, but this does not mean low quality.

According to Mr. S. Roy (Manager, Arya Tea Estate) and Mr. Sagar Rawat (Manager, Goomtee Tea Estate) – The production condition is at its peak with perfect soil and atmospheric temperatures, humidity, sunlight etc. and the only needed ingredient needed was water (rain). Now since all the needed things are in place, they are of the view that they will have top quality First Flush teas, though the production is going to be low.

It rained today – all the tea gardens which received the holy sprinkle are going to do “full flushing” from Monday or Tuesday.

In short – Now the garden spirits are high though, Darjeeling Tea production will be low, but quality wise it will be high – After all Darjeeling Tea is not quantity but quality.

First FLush Darjeeling Tea 2009
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Does “no rain” refer to “no Darjeeling Tea”?

By on March 18, 2009 in First Flush

Well, it’s a fact that, Darjeeling hasn’t received any rain for the last 5 months or so and this will surely affect the production of Darjeeling Tea. After the dormant winter period, new flush commonly known as the First Flush season prevails and is one of the most sought after teas when it will have its full potential pertaining to its natural Darjeeling Tea fragrance.

The winter rains or the Christmas rain is an important cycle that is necessary for the new buds to bloom. Sadly, the nature gods seems to have forgotten to quench the hilly areas of Darjeeling. The weather is dry and there is no sign of rain. Some parts like Sukiapokri received some rainfall but is not enough.

Most of the tea gardens in Darjeeling are suffering and their bulk production is at a halt. Most of them who have irrigation facilities have covered about 50% or less in processing First Flush teas, but the remaining 50% is yet to be covered.

When does Darjeeling need rain now?
As soon as possible, because rains should have occurred from January-early March for the new flush to come up and if it doesn’t happen now then rains falling later on during the end of April will give to a rise in mixed flush which is neither first or second flush. What falls in between the First and second Flush is the “Banji” period which is considered to produce a tea which is not of good quality. This period is normally between end of April to first week of May. The second flush normally starts from the 3rd week of may. So in order to have a good output of First Flush teas Darjeeling needs rain as soon as possible.

Now comes the availability of Darjeeling teas – If we especially focus on this year’s First Flush Darjeeling tea – it will be not available easily because of very low production due to severe drought conditions. But not to worry, the advantage of us being here in Darjeeling will not make our Darjeeling tea lovers yearn for their first flush shares. We have already procured some teas from Arya etc. which are small tea gardens and that can be handled by irrigation purpose or simply by providing water supply to the tea bushes through the help of sprinklers.

So if you have been our customer or are willing to be one, there is nothing to worry about, you will get your share of top quality First Flush Darjeeling Teas. We are sourcing for more.

For you, “You will get your share!”

First FLush Darjeeling Tea 2009
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New Addition to Autumn Flush Darjeeling teas

By on March 18, 2009 in Autumn Flush, New Tea Arrivals

We have added a few teas to our Autumn Flush section. Excellent teas at an affordable rate. The additions are Margaret’s Hope FTGFOP1 and Arya SFTGFOP1 Clonal.

Enjoy these Darjeeling Teas!

Click here to go to Autumn Flush page

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