Darjeeling Tea – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Darjeeling tea is a tea made from Camellia sinensis var. Sinensis is grown and processed in the Darjeeling or Kalimpong Districts in West Bengal, India. Since 2004, the term Darjeeling tea has been a registered geographical indication referring to products produced on certain estates within Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The tea leaves are processed as black tea, though some states have expanded their product offerings to include leaves suitable for making green, white, and oolong teas.

The tea leaves are harvested by plucking the plant’s top two leaves and the bud, from March to November, a time span that is divided into four flushes. The first flush consists of the first few leaves grown after the plant’s winter dormancy and produces a light floral tea with a slight astringency; this flush is also suitable for producing a white tea. Second flush leaves are harvested after the plant has been attacked by a leafhopper and the camellia tortrix so that the leaves create a tea with a distinctive muscatel aroma. The warm and wet weather of monsoon flush rapidly produces leaves but they are less flavourful and often used for blending. The autumn flush produces teas similar, but more muted, to the second flush.

Regularly drinking Darjeeling tea is an excellent way to enjoy a smooth, thin-bodied tea that has a number of excellent health benefits.

What is Darjeeling Tea?

Darjeeling tea is a tea blend that is traditionally cultivated in the Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. This light variety of tea is a popular form of black tea, but it is made with smaller Camellia sinensis var. Sinensis leaves, unlike many other black Assam teas from India. This tea is not only popular in India, but it also one of the primary exports from that area of the country, and can be found throughout the world.

When it comes to taste, Darjeeling tea is quite subtle and mild, although it does have a slightly astringent or spicy aftertaste – one of its defining characteristics. Although Darjeeling tea is classified as a black tea, white, oolong, and green Darjeeling tea varieties have become more popular in recent years. These different types are produced by allowing the tea leaves to oxidize to different levels. There is caffeine in this tea, which provides some of its health benefits. ^[rx]

Types of Darjeeling

The three main flushes and two additional flushes will produce different types of Darjeeling teas.

• Darjeeling’s first flushes tea – The first tea harvested in the spring after the winter dormancy. The color of the tea is light and clear. The tea leaves have a flowery scent that is bright and distinct. Due to their freshness and color, the first flush teas are generally more expensive than the other flushes.
• Darjeeling second flush tea – It has a dark, amber color and strong flavor, especially in contrast to first flush teas. The tea leaves have a purplish bloom and can have a fruity taste. Many in the tea world liken the flavor of a second flush to a muscatel grape. The distinct flavor is caused by a combination of unique weather, topography, and plant types. Some tea connoisseurs prefer the second flush because of this unique flavor.
• Darjeeling third flush tea – When brewed, this flush results in a dark or coppery-colored tea. Autumn Darjeeling leaves are larger than those from other seasons. This type tends to be priced slightly lower than the first and second flush teas.
• In-between flush tea – This tea tends to have similar characteristics to the first flush but is often slightly lower in quality.
• Monsoon flush tea – This tea is more oxidized and sold at lower prices. It’s commonly used for masala chai. In-between flush tea and monsoon flush are rarely exported.

Keep in mind that in addition to flushes, Darjeeling tea is rated using a grading system. The teas are graded by the size and quality of the tea leaves. The four categories of tea leaves that are graded are whole tea leaves, broken leaves, fannings, and dust. Whole leaves are the highest grade, and dust is the lowest. Fannings are small leaf particles that are used in tea bags and tea dust is essentially the waste left by the tea leaves.

Darjeeling Tea Benefits

Darjeeling tea has health benefits like potentially preventing cancer and gastric ulcers, improving dental health, & aiding weight loss, because of the catechins & flavonoids present in it. Let us look at the most important benefits in detail.

• Anticancer Properties – Research published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014 showed that Darjeeling tea extract has antimutagenic and anticancer properties. Antimutagenic properties on Salmonella strains present in human lymphocytes were observed during the study by Udayan Bhattacharya et al. The study further showed that the tea extract could have an antiproliferative effect, demonstrating potentially chemopreventive properties.  ^[rx]
• Weight Loss – Drinking tea can be good for your weight loss goals for a number of reasons, primarily because of its composition of caffeine. This chemical can stimulate metabolism, which will increase fat- and calorie-burning, thus helping you if you’re trying to lose weight. There are also claims that caffeinated tea can help prevent the absorption of fat, making it even easier to shed those unwanted pounds. ^[rx]
• Heart Health  – While too much caffeine can be dangerous for the heart, the antioxidants found in this tea can also help to protect the integrity of the blood vessels and arteries in the cardiovascular system, thus lowering your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis. ^[rx]
• Ulcers – A number of studies have found that the risk of gastric ulcers is reduced if you regularly drink this tea, as it can prevent a specific type of bacteria that often increases your chances of developing ulcers. This is in addition to the other digestive benefits of this tea, such as stimulating digestion and soothing symptoms of constipation. ^[rx]
• Boost Heart Health – Recent studies have shown that flavonoids or phytonutrient-rich plant pigments found in tea can lower cholesterol levels. High cholesterol leads to high blood pressure, heart attacks, or stroke, so drinking tea can help you reduce your risk of developing those diseases.
•  Powerful antioxidants – Two important polyphenols found in Darjeeling tea—theaflavins and thearubigins—are considered powerful antioxidants. These compounds protect against free radicals (harmful molecules) that damage cell DNA and cause cells to mutate. Tea polyphenols have also shown promise in shrinking cancerous tumors and protecting against damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels – Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body uses insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in your blood. People with type 2 diabetes have high blood sugar because their bodies don’t make enough insulin. In a recent study, black tea extract appeared to lower blood sugar levels, allowing people with diabetes to metabolize (process) insulin more efficiently.
• Improve Gut Health – The polyphenols in Darjeeling tea stimulate good bacteria growth in your digestive system. Higher levels of bad bacteria may contribute to obesity, while good bacteria helps you lose weight.
• Prevent Cavities – Compounds in black tea may help slow bacterial growth, preventing dental cavities and plaque. Drinking tea can also help balance your mouth microbiome and eliminate hydrogen sulfide, which causes bad breath. Tea leaves contain fluoride, which strengthens the enamel on your teeth. Darjeeling tea contains less caffeine than coffee but may still cause anxiety and jitters in some people. Doctors suggest drinking only one or two cups a day to avoid side effects from too much caffeine. The antibacterial and immune-boosting properties of this tea can eliminate the bacteria and fungi in your mouth that can lead to cavities, as well as the infection that causes bad breath. ^[rx]
• It Calms the Mind and Body – Drinking tea to reduce stress and anxiety is a great practice to include in our daily life. Darjeeling tea works with our sensitivity to caffeine as some of us will already feel more focused and alert after just one cup. On the other side of the coin, since it naturally contains L-theanine, which is an amino acid, it will immensely help to calm and settle the nerves along with relaxing and calming the mind. It is an excellent pair for a study or just for mindful relaxation.
• Promotes Healthy Skin – By the great effects of antioxidants, the wonderful tea also helps to fight common eczema and psoriasis, which very often comes hand in hand. Apart from treating these diseases by visiting a climate with high air humidity, drinking Darjeeling tea would be the perfect fit. Antioxidants are also famous for keeping the skin young and fresh and battling premature aging caused by stress and air pollution. The strong catechin is known to fight against multiple types of cancer, along with diabetes and Alzheimer’s. When speaking of such serious illnesses, one can gain solid certainty regarding the health benefits of Darjeeling tea and wonder about the real power of nature.
• Strengthens the Bones – Based on a study which was concluded in 2007, it was stated that tea drinkers had 3% higher bone density than non-drinkers.  The test proved that within a 5-year time range, people who drank black tea regularly were losing their bone density slower than other groups of people. The importance of bone density is crucial to basic human health. Bones protect our organs, mooring muscles, and of course, they store our calcium supplies. It is highly recommended to take steps towards stronger bone density in adulthood in which this kind of tea can significantly contribute.
• Healthier Hair – Due to oxidative stress, the weakness of the scalp can perform premature hair fall. It is the point where antioxidants step in to shine their benefits for our bodies. By taking care of these tissues due to a healthier scalp hair will shine, grow faster, and strengthens along with our skin. The statement could be supported by none less than Queen Elizabeth, who has also grown fond of Darjeeling tea.
• Unique Blend and Crafting Guarantee Exotic Taste – Grown in the heights of the Himalayas, the Darjeeling gardens have to suit special requirements for the ability to produce the rare tea herbs. The garden should layover 1000 meters of altitude covered in a dense concentration of Chinese tea bushes, and the temperature should vary between 5 to 20 Celsius. All these conditions favor especially oolong tea. Darjeeling tea is a unique blend of Chinese and Indian traditions along with British innovations. The custom and its unique crafting process lives on and has been present for hundreds of years, providing us with the comfort of trust in this special tea. However, you should be wary of dodgy brands that sell these teas unbelievably cheap price.
• Fights Against Cancer – A deliciously brewed cup of tea, which fights against cancer boosts up our immune system, helps to promote heart and brain health along with skin, and hair care is definitely a cup we’d like to drink daily. Known to stabilize our focus due to its caffeine content, it also helps to ease us with its magical components. On most occasions, the tea also aids with gastric illnesses such as an inflamed stomach by fighting off harmful bacteria.

A loving cup of Darjeeling let that be black, white, green, or oolong mixture comes from the finest tea estates with a naturally sweet and strong aroma. The most popular type is the Darjeeling black tea, which for its fantastic elements, also called The Champagne of Teas.

How to Make Darjeeling Tea?

Brewing your own Darjeeling tea at home is surprisingly easy. The subtle, but full-bodied tea is considered one of the most premier teas in the world.

From Where To Buy

Since 1706, Twinings of London has been masterfully blending teas to create a special moment with each cup of Darjeeling tea you brew. Darjeeling teas are grown in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in northeast India. The high altitude, soil, and climate of the Darjeeling plantations contribute to the unique and delicate taste of this tea. Twinings Darjeeling uses the finest first and second flush teas (those picked in the spring and summer) in this blend to create light, golden black tea, and has a unique character that is likened to the Muscatel grape. Darjeeling is often regarded by connoisseurs as one of the finest teas. Darjeeling is best-drunk black or with a touch of milk. Each of the six boxes comes packed with 20 standard-sized tea bags, so you can brew your tea by the cup or by the pot without any hassle.

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