Learn more about Darjeeling tea, its benefits, caffeine content and Darjeeling tea recipes that you can prepare at home
By Dr. Mercola
For years, India has been hailed as one of the world’s largest
tea-producing countries. In fact, a 2015 report of the Food Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations stated that India is the world’s
second largest tea-producing country, right behind China. This can be
attributed to a statistic from two years before — the country’s tea
production reaching a whopping 1.2 million tons in 2013.1
One of India’s most-prized exports is Darjeeling tea. This type of
tea fetches a high price around the world because of its impeccable
flavor. If you want to know more about what Darjeeling tea is, why it’s
special and what it can offer for your health, then keep reading this
article.
What Is Darjeeling Tea?
Darjeeling tea is a kind of black tea grown in a town of the same
name, located in the state of West Bengal in India right below foothills
of the Himalayan mountains.2,3 Darjeeling tea leaves are often derived
from the upper leaves of the Chinese variety of Camellia sinensis var.
sinensis,4 and cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the
world.
Darjeeling tea, frequently called the “champagne of teas,” has
musky-sweet tasting notes that are similar to Muscat wine, although the
tea may also exhibit delicate vegetal, mossy, fruity and citrus
flavors.5
Darjeeling Tea Health Benefits
Darjeeling tea may offer health benefits that may improve your body’s health and overall well-being:6
1. Provides antioxidant capabilities — Darjeeling tea contains two
complex antioxidants called theaflavins and thearubigins. These
antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals, and potentially
reduce free radical damage that can target cell membranes and DNA, and
raise your risk for chronic illness.
2. May help maintain cardiovascular health — Results from a 2014 PLOS
One study revealed that consumption of four to five cups of black tea
daily may assist in reducing blood pressure levels and cardiovascular
disease risk.7
3. May help reduce risk of obesity and promote weight loss — Drinking
black tea may promote development of microbial metabolites that may
assist in regulating energy metabolism. The tea may also promote weight
loss and lower obesity risk.
4. May help improve gut health — Research indicated that black tea
may stimulate the proliferation of various good gut bacteria8 and lessen
the risk for bacterial infection.9
5. May help address gastric ulcers — A 2014 Journal of Natural
Medicines study highlighted that L-theanine, an amino acid in Darjeeling
tea, possessed protective effects toward an NSAID-induced gastric
ulcer.10
6. May help lower diabetes risk — Various studies confirmed that
consumption of black tea (which Darjeeling tea falls under) resulted in a
decreased diabetes risk.11,12,13
Is There Caffeine in Darjeeling Tea?
Yes there is, just like a cup of coffee. There are roughly 50
milligrams of caffeine in darjeeling tea, although this amount may vary
depending on the strength of the tea.14 However, remember that there are
consequences linked to consuming excess amounts of caffeine (more on
this to come later).
Learn How to Brew and Serve Darjeeling Tea
Harvesting of Darjeeling tea leaves runs from mid-March through
November. Darjeeling leaves are freshly plucked, withered overnight,
rolled and fermented or oxidized before being fired. The tea bushes
progress through four seasons called “flushes,” with each flush offering
a distinct flavor: first flush, second flush (summer), monsoon flush
and autumn flush.
As such, Darjeeling tea is often sold not only by single estate, but
also by flush.15 Darjeeling tea may also be classified according to the
size of the leaves, namely:16
- Whole Leaf Darjeeling Tea — Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery
Orange Pekoe (SFTGFOP) and Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe
(FTGFOP)
- Broken Leaf — Fine Tippy Golden Broken Orange Pekoe (FTGBOP), Tippy Golden Broken Orange
- Pekoe (TGBOP), Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe (FBOP) and Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP)
- Fannings — Golden Flowery Orange Fannings (GFOF) and Golden Orange Fannings (GOF)
- Dust (D) — Generally used in traditional teabags, but isn’t the best quality
To brew your own cup of Darjeeling tea at home, grab some tea leaves and follow this recipe:17
Quick Darjeeling Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
• 8 ounces high-quality filtered water
• Darjeeling tea leaves
Procedure:
1. Heat your water to a boil, or just below a boil. You can inspect
how oxidized your tea is first, Reduce the heat more for darker teas,
and lower, to around 185 degrees Fahrenheit, for less-oxidized or
earlier-season teas.
2. Preheat the vessel or kettle and rinse with a little hot water.
Add a tablespoon of Darjeeling tea leaves per 8 ounces of water.
3. Steep the tea for three to five minutes depending on your taste.
Try tasting it to check if you are satisfied with the flavor.
You can add grass fed milk or sweeteners like raw honey, stevia or
Luo Han to taste. While Darjeeling tea is best without milk, some people
prefer drinking milk with the tea, and especially when tasting Autumn
flush.18 Just remember that dairy may diminish the potency of some of
the antioxidants in the tea.
How to Store Darjeeling Tea
In order to prolong the shelf life of your Darjeeling tea, take note of these reminders:19
Store in an airtight container — This helps make the tea
last longer, maintains the optimal moisture content of the tea leaves,
inhibits dust contamination and prevents spoilage by exposure to excess
moisture caused by oxygen and other elements in the air.
Keep Darjeeling tea away from direct sunlight and warm temperatures
— Increased exposure to heat sources may affect the tea chemically and
physically. This can give the tea a more bitter flavor or degrade its
flavor. Place the tea in a cool and dark cupboard or drawer, and ensure
that this spot isn’t close to the oven, grill or any appliance that
emits heat.
Avoid mixing with any strong odors — Tea is susceptible to
contamination when exposed to foods that emit strong odors such as
cheese, garlic, onions and spices. Tea leaves are porous, and once they
absorb odors, the flavor can be affected.
Separate your blends — It’s highly recommended to not keep
one type of tea close to another, especially those with strong flavors.
Storing the leaves in a sealed container can inhibit
cross-contamination. Plus, clearly label your jars so you do not
mistakenly combine tea blends.
Darjeeling Tea Side Effects
There have been some side effects linked to Darjeeling tea. Caffeine present in Darjeeling tea can cause the following:
- Sleeping difficulties
- Feelings of nervousness
- Increased or irregular heart rate
- Worsened gastrointestinal conditions
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Heartburn
- Tremors in extremities
- Convulsions (possible)
Excess caffeine consumption may also:20
- Trigger digestive tract problems by increasing acid in the stomach, potentially leading to an upset stomach
- Promote diuretic effects by eliminating more fluids via the urine, which can cause dehydration
- Stimulate muscles that may push waste throughout the digestive tract that can cause diarrhea
- Contribute to physical and psychological dependence on the beverage
- Lead to hypokalemia or low blood potassium levels in the elderly
When taken in excess, tannins in black tea, which contribute to
the drink’s slightly bitter flavor,21 can lead to an upset stomach or
trigger nausea and vomiting.22 It has also been said that tannins may
interfere with iron absorption of non-heme iron, although more research
is needed to fully determine this link.23
However, an article published in the European Journal of Clinical
Nutrition revealed that drinking tea isn’t linked to an iron deficiency
unless you’re already anemic or at a high risk for a deficiency.24
Before drinking Darjeeling tea, talk to your doctor to check if you
can drink this beverage without triggering side effects. If you’re
pregnant or breastfeeding, limit your intake of caffeine from drinks
like Darjeeling tea as much as possible.25
The Dark Side of Darjeeling Tea Production
Although this tea is highly valued and fetches a hefty price tag, the
profits aren’t felt in Darjeeling, India. Most workers earn as little
as 1.70 euros or $1.98 a day, which is barely enough to cover basic
expenses. They live in slums at the city center, where unemployment and
poverty rates are alarmingly high.
Furthermore, picking tea leaves is a labor-intensive and literally
backbreaking process. Workers begin their day as early as 7 a.m.,
harvesting leaves and gathering them into a basket suspended from their
forehead and placed across their back. As heartbreaking as this sounds,
this is the reality for some of the people responsible for this type of
tea. Learn more about the harrowing state of tea production in
Darjeeling by reading “The Dark Side of the Global Tea Industry.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Darjeeling Tea
Q: What does Darjeeling tea do?
A: Because of its links to various health benefits, Darjeeling tea can be good for you. Darjeeling tea was shown to help:
• Promote cardiovascular health
• Reduce obesity risk
• Alleviate gastric ulcers
• Aid in combating diabetes
Q: Is Darjeeling tea caffeinated?
A: Yes. Darjeeling tea contains caffeine. An 8-ounce serving usually
has 40 to 70 milligrams of caffeine, although the amount may change
depending on the strength of the tea.
Q: Where can you buy Darjeeling tea?
A: If you’re fortunate to go on a trip to India, you can try going to
the town of Darjeeling itself to buy authentic Darjeeling tea, which is
considered a very prized souvenir.26 However, if this is not possible,
try looking for a reputable website online that sells good-quality
Darjeeling tea.
Source: https://www.prohealth.com
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