Special features in location, cultivation and processing
The Nilgiri Blue Mountains are located in the Western Ghats, a mountain range in western India that encompasses Tamil Nadu, India's southernmost state, and its vast tea-growing regions. Above 1000 metres lies the Southern Western Ghats Montane Rainforest Ecoregion, the most species-rich in India: approximately 80% of all flowering plants in the Western Ghats are found here, along with 35% of the region’s plant species, 42% of its fish, 48% of its reptiles, and 75% of its amphibians, many of which are endemic. The surrounding hills and slopes remain largely untouched, with dense forests and grasslands defining the landscape. With at least 24 peaks rising above 2000 metres, the Nilgiri Hills have a significantly cooler climate than the tropical lowlands of southern India. Rainfall occurs mainly during the summer monsoon season. The Nilgiris lie just north of the equator and are influenced by both the southwest and northeast monsoons – one reason why tea leaves can be harvested here year-round.
The United Nilgiri Tea Estates Company places a strong emphasis on organic and Demeter-certified cultivation. To enhance soil fertility, this remote tea farm extensively uses organic fertilisers in the form of compost and Vermiwash – a premium, nutrient-rich vermicompost fertiliser (Vermi-compost, from Latin vermis = worms). This deep black, highly fertile substrate is created through the decomposition of organic materials and is rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Many tea farmers use both prunings from shade trees in the tea gardens and manure from livestock as feedstock for vermicomposting. This composting method is a highly sustainable, natural fertiliser that aerates the soil, improves drainage, and encourages the decomposition of organic material in worm burrows, providing more nourishment for growing plants. It is an example of local circular farming on a small scale, directly contributing to the health of tea plants and the high quality of the harvested tea. Additionally, the tea farm is committed to ensuring sustainable and fair working conditions for all employees, both in the fields and in tea production.
At the end of November, the tea bushes of the Assamica cultivar are pruned to ensure that the freshly sprouted shoots can be harvested in the next season. The harvest begins when temperatures in the southwest-facing tea gardens of the Nilgiri Hills are at their coldest. Frost can sometimes ruin entire tea crops, making it a major concern for tea farmers. However, when the tea growers in the Blue Mountains of Nilgiri anticipate frost, they take a unique approach – hand-picking the frozen leaves as early as 2:00 and immediately sending them to the tea factory for processing. The frozen leaves thaw in the withering halls, where they emit an eerie, mysterious crackling sound as they dry. The thawing process accelerates withering, influencing the tea’s final character. While cold temperatures and frost are stress factors for the tea plant, they trigger various chemical reactions as a defence mechanism. This transformation results in a more complex flavour profile, giving the tea its distinctive character which captivates tea lovers around the world. Nilgiri Frost Winter Flush is the first tea of the year to be harvested in the mountains of South India.
Single Origin
This tea comes 100% from the above-mentioned farm in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India, directly sourced from the estate.
Organic Certification
