Castleton Darjeeling Tea

Carol Jacob
Jul 10, 2017 · 2 min read

Goodricke, one of the leading tea production enterprises in India, presents a new variety of Darjeeling Tea called the Castleton. The name is derived from the Castle gardens which are famous for producing an unmatched class of leaf quality that can send your taste buds on a sensuous journey.

Castleton Darjeeling tea is generally divided into the following sub-brands:
• Castleton Exclusive Edition (50 g & 100 g leaf packs): Rs. 350 & 600
• Castleton Premium (100 g): Rs. 525
• Castleton Vintage (100 g & 250 g): Rs. 250 & 500

Its specialty

Castleton Darjeeling tea is famous for being a unique variety called ‘Muscatels’ this contributes to its exquisite taste as well unique liquor flavour.

The quality of this tea is so unmatched, that it has made its place in the record books for eternity. Castleton plantations yield the best tea leaves in the region as well as the world over. Its dense flavour and strong character sets it apart.
The ‘Muscatel’ flavour needs a particular soil type, location, along with suitable environmental factors to maintain this tag of ‘sweet musk’, this is what sets it apart from other teas in the same region.

Loose Darjeeling Tea: Popularly called the ‘Champagne of Teas’

The foothills of the Himalayas have blessed the world with Darjeeling tea. The two famous tea gardens of this region: Margaret’s Hope and the Castleton originated in the British era. Loose Darjeeling tea is a special afternoon-drinking light tea that is taken without milk.
The first flush teas are noted for their briskness whereas the second flush teas are known for their smoothness. The first flush Darjeeling teas are fresh, very light and are known for having a distinct and unique ‘muscatel’ character. On the other hand, the second flush teas are specifically noted for being fuller, smoother and fruitier in character. The first flush teas are plucked in March- mid- April while the second flush teas are plucked in May.

Location and climate plays an impact on its taste

Darjeeling is located 6000ft above the sea level, in the Himalayas’ southern foothills. Hence, the climate there is misty, cool and brings around nine to thirteen inches of rainfall every monsoon season which starts from the month of June and lasts until September.
Darjeeling teas were originally cultivated by the British planters using the cuttings from Chinese tea plants. Hence, they can be grown at higher altitudes, they thus vary greatly from the Assam variety of tea plants that are grown at lower altitudes.

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