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Nilgiri tea represents a variety of black tea that is grown on the hills and mountains of the Nilgiris district in Southern India. The distinctive characteristics include the intense aroma, fragrance and flavor, as well as the dark color of the brew. This variety of tea is classified according to the sorting method. Full leaves that are sorted by hand have the Orange Pekoe grade and are known to be very expensive. The Broken Orange Pekoe grade is given semi-full leaves that are sorted by machines. While still of high quality, these leaves are significantly cheaper than the Orange Pekoe grade. Not at last, there are the leaves that are produced through the Crush, Tear, Curl technique. These represent the greatest part of the Nilgiri tea production. As the Nilgiri tea has a very intense aroma, it is often used in blends. It is either mixed with Assam and Ceylon teas or with apricot pieces. There are also blends that contain Nilgiri tea and passion fruit. This is particularly recommended for people who want a sweet and refreshing tea with a tropical aroma. Even though Nilgiri tea is not as popular or Darjeeling or Assam, it should not be neglected, as it still has a high quality. This tea variety is said to have a perfect balance between astringency, color and strength. The strong flavor is caused by the high altitude at which this tea is grown. The environment plays a very important role in the growth of the tea plant and later in the aroma of the brew. The same is the case with the Assam tea, which is grown at sea level. Besides the fragrance, there are several other things that differentiate the Nilgiri tea from Assam and Darjeeling. For example, it is possible to grow Nilgiri tea the entire year, which is not the case for the other Indian teas. Preparing Nilgiri tea does not require any special skills. A teaspoon of crushed leaves is used per cup. Thoroughly boiled water poured on the leaves and in 3 to 4 minutes the brew is ready. The dark amber color of the drink is also listed among the particularities of this tea variety. Tea gardens and plantations represent one of the main attractions in the Nilgiris district. In fact, there is also a Tea and Tourism Festival that takes place for 3 days each year in the area, in the months January and February. Source: Nilgiri Tea at Chi of Tea Loose Leaf Tea Information
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