Why Darjeeling tea may face extinction
Knockoff teas from Nepal are stealing global demand and climate change is shrinking supply
On December 7th tea estates in Darjeeling, a hill station in West Bengal straddling India’s border with Nepal, will carry out the final full-moon harvest of the year. Illuminated by fire-lit torches and moonlight, pickers will collect leaves and buds for a special white tea. They believe that the planetary alignment during a full moon ensures a perfect harvest. Darjeeling, known as “the champagne of teas” and beloved of the late Queen Elizabeth II, encompasses black, green and white teas, all picked from the same bushes. Black teas are most common. The fine white tea picked by moonlight can fetch up to $2,000 per kg from connoisseurs in Europe and East Asia.
This article appeared in the The Economist explains section of the print edition under the headline "Why Darjeeling tea may face extinction"
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