 Darjeeling
tea is one of the world's finest black teas. The known history
of Darjeeling tea dates back to about 150 years when a british
civil surgeon, Dr. Campbell first planted the seeds in his
garden on an experimental basis.
The first commercial production of tea started
by British planters in 1852. Takvar near Darjeeling was one
of the first tea gardens set up around this time.
Darjeeling then was a small town used by
British and the affluent Jamindars as a summer respite. The
manufacturing of Tea is a labour intensive process. The requirement
of the gardens drew people from across the border of Nepal
to come and settle down in Darjeeling. Till today people from
Nepalese origin constitute the largest section of the locals
in Darjeeling.
At present there are close to 100 tea gardens
producing the famous 'Darjeeling tea'. In the foothills a
large number of gardens produce the 'Dooars tea' and the 'Terai
tea'. But the taste and aroma of the Darjeeling variety remains
unmatched throughout the world.
 The
total area under cultivation of 'Darjeeling Tea' is about
19,000 hectares and annual production reaches 10 million kgs.
The industry employs more than 50 thousand people directly.
A large number of others are engaged in plucking the tea during
the season.
Tea and tourism are the main two industries
of the region both are labour intensive sectors providing
employment to a large section of the people. The turnover
of the Darjeeling tea industry is estimated to about USD 7.5
million, larger than the earning from tourism industry.
Tea
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