Country of Origin: India
Region: Nilgiri
Shipping Port: Cochin
Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 5500 - 6000 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Cup Characteristics: Exhibits the classic South Indian tea taste -
floral-like flavor with a satisfying cup. A medium strength tea.
Infusion: Bright, tending coppery
Ingredients: Luxury black tea.
Information:
Glendale is one of the premiere tea estates of the Nilgiri district and
noted for its superb flavor with hints of jammy character. This quality
is only available in Jan. and the average price during this time is
generally between 2 to 3 times the price at other times of the year.
Glendale is a large tea estate for the Nilgiri district. The estate
covers nearly 2 square miles (1181 acres/465 hectares), of which 1.5
square miles or 900 acres is under tea cultivation. The majority of the
estate is clonal which accounts for the high quality of this tea. Clonal
means that the majority of the bushes come from about 3 or 4 ‘mother
bushes’. The mother bushes were selected because they made the best
quality tea - clearly evident in the cup. The estate employs nearly 2500
people and if you consider the average family size is 4, the estate
supports nearly 10,000 people, certainly a large social responsibility.
More than 60% of the estate workers are women. Workers and their
families are given accommodation on the estate and they are provided
with schooling for their children, medical clinics for ailments and
places of worship. Glendale is a model employer in Nilgiri.
Nilgiri is a mountainous region of Tamil Nadu State in southeastern
India. The peaks of the Nilgiris rise abruptly from the surrounding
plains to an elevation of 5000 - 8500 feet above sea level. Tea was
first planted on an experimental basis in 1835 and the first commercial
tea garden was at Thiashola Tea Garden, which began operations in 1859.
The tea at Thiashola was cultivated by Chinese prisoners of war,
captured by the British during the Opium Wars.
The climate of the Nilgiris allows tea to be produced all year round.
The first flushes of the new season are picked from April until May and
account for about 25% of the region’s total harvest. The 2nd flush -
accounting for about 40-45% of the yearly crop is from Sept. to Nov.,
and lastly the third flush is from Dec. to Jan. The best teas are
produced during January and August.
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling
boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the
boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes
according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Even though milk and a dash of sugar help capture the floral character
of this tea, it is perfectly acceptable to consume this tea
‘straight-up’