5 Places to Visit India Tea Plantations

 1. Darjeeling

• Darjeeling is  India’s most well-known hill station and has numerous tea plantations  producing high quality,  lightly- coloured, and floral scented tea. An estimated  25% of India’s overall tea production originates here.
• Places to See :  Happy Valley Tea Estate is situated some 3 kilometers in
  the northern part of town. This estate cultivates some of the highest quality tea in
  Darjeeling and an interesting history.  It was first founded  by a Welshman in
  1854 and then an Indian aristocrat from Calcutta.   It is 2,750 meters above the sea and  is one of the most elevated  tea gardens in the world.  Its operating hours are from Tuesday till Saturday at  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Best Time to Go: March until November  is the best time for tea picking  but it is
  best to stay away during monsoon season starting  June to September.

 2. Assam

• Assam can be found  in the remote north east part of India and is its biggest tea producing region .   The most grown tea  in the Brahmaputra Valley is a malty Assamese tea that  bright in color.  Jorhat, located in Assam’s central area,   is often called  “ the World’s Tea Capital”.
• Places to See:  Burra Sahib’s Bungalow located in  Sangsua Tea Estate accommodates guests and is just near Jorhat. Its colonial inspired architecture is excellent and was built  somewhere between 1900 and 1905. You can experience tea estate living and  see the factory where they make tea.
• Best time to Go: Middle of May until end of June is the most ideal time to visit for the finest tea. Tea production continues  until beginning of December but the quality of the tea declines steadily.  There is a tea festival in Jorhat in
  November.

  3. Munnar

• Munnar is a  famous southern India hill station where you will be met be vast plantations.  It was formerly owned by  the biggest tea manufacturer  in India but has since been  sold to its employees.
• Places to See: Visit India’s  Tea Museum in Nallathanni Estate and have an incredible tour of  Munmar’s history of tea production. Open  except Mondays, beginning 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Go to Kundale Tea Plantation which is surrounded by  a lake and see first-hand  the complete process of tea making. The Tea Sanctuary, a series of old colonial style bungalows that have been refurbished, offers accommodations.
• Best time to Go: The tourists arrive from August until May.  Winters here are very cold especially months of  December until January.

4.  Nilgiri Mountains

• The  Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, in southern  India, is known for its distinct, darkly colored  and very aromatic tea. Tea has been cultivated here since the last century and is the region’s most vital industry.
• Places to See:  Conoor is a great place to experience Nilgiri tea.  You can begin with  the Highfield Tea Factory which is situated about a  kilometer away from Sim’s Park. After that,  you may want to stop by the Tranquilitea Tea Lounge where they have  some unusual kinds of  tea.   Luxurious cottages are available in Conoor located in the huge Glendale Estate plantation.
• Best Time to Go:  In Nilgiri, tea production happens  the whole year although  the finest  teas are produced  in the cooler winter months (from late November to middle of  February).  You can take the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

5.  Wayanad

Wayanad Tea County

• Wayanad is a bountiful mountain area in Kerala which produces a large amount of tea.  It also cultivates coffee and spices. Majority of its tea plantations are in the southern part  of Kalpetta. The road leading to  Chembra Peak will pass by a private estate which is wonderful to see.
• Places to See:  You can  stay at  Wayanad Tea County which is a unique guesthouse frequented by tourists and is located in the Priyadarsini Tea Estate in Mananthavady.  It is operated by tribal folk  who reside and are employed  on the estate. All  of the profits are for their benefit. You may go  trekking  and see a tribal tree house which had been built  at the plantation’s highest point.  This is quite enthralling.
• Best Time to Go:  From September until April is a good time to go.  Plan to avoid the monsoon season.

I.      Introduction
II.     Kinds of Tea Produced in India
III.    Types of Tea
IV.     History and Origins of Indian Tea
V.      Harvesting of Indian Tea
VI.     5 Places to Visit India Tea Plantations
VII.    Chai Tea