nilgiri tiger hill estate black tea

type: black

origin: india

variety: nilgiri

caffeine: strong

price level: $$$$

Nilgiris are full bodied Indian teas with light color and aroma. Tiger Hill Nilgiri produces a more robust tea then typical Nilgiris and has a darker liquor color, while still maintaining the fine characteristics of Nilgiri teas from South India. This tea is smooth and easy to drink any time of the day and goes well with milk and sugar. "Nilgiri" is a Tamil word that means "Blue Mountains". The Blue Mountains are a lush range at the southernmost tip of India, rising over the Indian Ocean with a view toward Africa. It is a land of peaks and valleys lush with vegetation. Tiger Hill in the Nilgiri district is a relatively young tea estate of about 250 acres that lies at an elevation of 4500 to 6000 feet. This estate was planted just under 30 years ago by the Forestry Department of Tamil Nadu State. The estate is comprised mostly of clonals from the Craigmore variety, famous for its strong flavor. The estate is drenched by monsoons during August and September, and the best teas are harvested during December and January, although flush is produced and plucked throughout the year. The Tea Board of India decided some years ago to promote Assams, Darjeelings, and Nilgiris as "Self Drinkers", or teas to be enjoyed as single varietals. Most other Indian black teas are used in blends.