There is one thing that an Indian can absolutely do anytime, anywhere. It is sipping a hot cup of tea! In India, hospitality is incomplete without serving tea to guests. In fact, it is considered rude, if you don't serve them tea. You don't need to ask. It's an understood gesture to serve tea to guests who visit home.
Indian hill stations feature huge tea estates that are not only picturesque, but are famous for plantations of unique varieties of tea. Most of these estates are tourists spots in themselves.
Let's have a glimpse of the top 10 tea plantations of India.
1. Nilgiri Tea Planation in Tamil Nadu
This tea plantation is more than 100 years old. Nilgiri Hills are famous for having the best tea estates in the country. Nilgiri tea is strong and dark with a distinct aroma. It is planted throughout the year.
2. Jorhat Tea Bungalows in Assam
Assam tea is famous in India and abroad. Do you know Assam is the Tea Capital of the World? Jorhat Assam tea gives you a strong cup featuring the tang and malt of the classic tea with a deep body. The aroma is subtle. You can make your tea spicier by adding the unique chai masala.
3. Kanan Devan Hills Plantation in Munnar
Munnar hill station is known for its beautiful tea estates. It is a tea museum, which is the first of its kind in India. Located in Idukki, it offers a pretty picture, plus tea that promises to refresh your senses to the core.
4. Glenburn Tea Estate in Darjeeling
Gilenburn Tea Estate is something that you just can't miss, if you are a tea lover. The estate overlooks the stunning Kanchenjunga mountain. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, the place is breathtakingly beautiful and offers samples of fresh, special tea.
5. Kelagur Tea Estate, Karnataka
Karantaka is also a popular state for beverages. Kelagur tea estate is known for organic tea making. The plantation is done in 1500 acres of land. The estate was built 70 years ago. It attracts a swarm of tourists thanks to its stunning beauty. And tea lovers just can't resist this place. You can actually see the processing of tea leaves and the methods used to prepare tea. You can learn about growing and harvesting tea.
6. Darang Tea Estate in Himachal Pradesh
The Darang Tea Estate is more than 150 years old. Himachal Pradesh is, in itself, a scenic state. The tea estate adds to its scenic beauty. The estate is owned by a family and exotic tea is grown here. You can do trekking, skiing, and other such interesting activities here and once you are tired after a day full of activities, relax with your feet up and enjoy freshly brewed exotic tea. What more can you ask for?
7. Gatoonga Tea Estate in Assam
Gatoonga tea estate is close to Jorhat and makes the highest numbers of tea in India. The Banyan Grove, which is a colonial heritage bungalow, offers a spectacular view of tea processing.
8. Cooch Behar Tea Estate in West Bengal
Located at the foot of Darjeeling Hills, this tea estate came into being in 1950. Visiting this tea estate seems like you have stepped into a new world, full of freshness, aroma, and greenery. Freshly brewed tea is something that you cannot miss here.
9. Kolukkumalai Tea Estate in Tamil Nadu
This is an equally famous tea estate situated close to 7900 feet above the sea level. The attractive feature of this tea estate is that the plantations here still utilize the traditional tea making process. Having a freshly brewed cup of tea is hard to resist.
10. Happy Valley Tea Estate in Darjeeling
This is one of the oldest tea estates in Darjeeling. It was set up in 1854. The specialty of this tea estate is that the tea available here is famous for its floral flavor. The best way to taste tea from Happy Valley tea estate is to skip sugar and milk, i.e., to have it like black tea. Brew it only in water and sip its uniqueness.
With the Covid-19 pandemic raging the world, time to brew some fresh tea at home and sip it. How it relieves you from stress, anxiety, and tiredness! And while you sip the tea, forget everything else and immerse yourselves completely in the tea's aroma and flavor.
Also know about India's rarest and most expensive tea.
