India
At the beginning of the 20th century, two English brothers discovered fields of wild tea trees in the Assam region of India. They culture them, creating an original tea with a stronger taste than Chinese tea, and which had a deep, round, red liquor and notes of honey. Locatedin northeast India, 600 km long, nestled between the Himalayas to the north and the Naga and Patkoi mountains to the south, this high valley of Assam is one of the most fertile and largest tea producing region in the world. If Assam valley is also the first tea producting region in India, the Darjeeling region stands out for the quality of its teas. Although its market accounts for only 1% of annual Indian production, the tea industry in Darjeeling occupies a unique position. With lower yields, high quality black teas are produced there, which have built up a great reputation year after year. So, board the wonderful Darjeeling train and stop in the foothills of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 2000 m, between sun and mist, in one of the great Tea Gardens.
White tea from Darjeeling
Darjeeling is, with its high altitude, the ideal place to produce white tea. The climatic conditions: cold air, permanent mist, temperate sunshine, allow the delicate aromas present in only the youngest buds and leaves used for its production, to mature and intensify. In Darjeeling, its manufacture benefits from ancestral know-how recognized worldwide and representing barely 1% of the region's tea production.
Black teas from Darjeeling
While the Assam region is the leading tea producing region in India, the Darjeeling region stands out for the quality of its teas. Although its market represents only 1% of India's annual production, the tea industry in Darjeeling holds a unique position. With lower yields, high quality black teas are produced here, which, year after year, have become widely renowned. After many years of collaboration with the Phuguri garden, which was initiated by Jacques Jumeau-Lafond and continued by his son Emmanuel (the expert of our company), the plantation has dedicated to DAMMANN Frères one of its most beautiful plots, now named DAMMANN BARI, Bari meaning'plot'.
Black teas from Assam
As the main production in this area of India, the orthodox black teas from Assam represent a small part of the overall production. These are black teas that are amazingly full-bodied with their rich, naturally spicy and malted aromas. Amateurs do not always know that Assam is the basis of English Breakfast tea: its strength makes it perfect tea conductive to awakening. Full-bodied but without astringency, Assam is truly the ideal breakfast tea. The association of Assam with milk is so remarkable that one can even recommend tea lovers to infuse it directly in milk that is poured hot on the leaves.