Lovingly called as the “Queen of Hills”, Darjeeling is world widely known for the production of Tea. Located at an altitude of 2,285 meters high it is most suitable for the plantation. Nestled in the northeastern Indian state of West Bengal, Darjeeling is an enchanting hill station and the only place that is highly known for its tea gardens. The plantation was first established in the year 1852 by the Britishers which have now become a home to more than hundreds of workers.The quality and flavor of the tea has reached upon every corner of the world and it is one of the bestselling products in Darjeeling. The annual average of the production ranges from 9 to 10 million kilograms and still it remains to less due to its quality and taste. There are no other states as well as other countries that overcome the production and the quality of the Darjeeling tea.
In today there are about 87 tea gardens that produce Darjeeling Tea which covers an area of 17,500 hectares. The tea garden of Darjeeling has touched everyone’s heart around the whole world. Apart from the Tourism industry, Tea gardens are the biggest income source of the place. There are various tea gardens which come under Darjeeling and remain to be the backbone for the tea production. Some of the tea gardens are listed below.
Orange Valley Tea estate: The Orange Valley Tea Estate is situated on the high mountain region and close to Darjeeling town. It covers an area of 347.26 hectares and is situated at an elevation between 5,000 to 6,000 feet high. The annual production of the tea estate is 1.30.000 kilograms. It produces the world class tea with unique flavor. It is called as orange valley as the entire estate is surrounded by orange trees. The estate is well known among others as it is under experienced and skilled workers. There is high quality control machine, strict management, perfect soil conditions and weather favors the place.
Happy Valley Tea estate: It is located at a distance of 3 km from the north of main town. The tea estate was established in the year 1854 and remains to be theoldest tea estate in Darjeeling. It covers an area of 437 acres and is situated at an altitude of 6,800 feet above the sea level. It is the closest tea estate to the town and often visited by the tourists during their Darjeeling tour.
Puttabong, Tukvar Tea estate:The tea estate of Puttabong is also one of the oldest tea garden and also known as Tukvar Tea estate. It covers an area about 22 km and is situated at an altitude of 1,500 to 6,000 feet. It is located about a distance of about half an hour by vehicle and remains to be one of the beautiful tea garden among all. The tea estate is highly covered by Chinese and Clonal bushes. It is a nature blessed place and a heaven for the tourists.
Makaibari Tea estate:The tea estate is located in Kursong which is known as the “Land of white Orchid”. The history of the tea garden also dates back to the early time of Britishers. It is a popular and most talked tea gardens in Darjeeling. Makaibari tea estate is a remarkable tea garden in the area. It is addressed at a distance of 4 km away from the Kursong town and covers an area of 1000 acres.
