Storm brewing in Darjeeling's tea cup

Downgrading of famed tea gardens by apex board raises ire of local planters

The Tea Board of India is under fire from the industry over a garden gradation system it recently undertook.

According to its new grading, given for the first time, tea gardens in the Darjeeling area of the east have a lower grade than others. Darjeeling tea is known internationally for its aroma. It has the ‘GI’ tag issued by the Geographical Indications Registry for the special variety.

In the course of grading the 1,413 gardens across India, which the Tea Board recognises, none of Darjeeling have been accorded an ‘A+’ grade. Only one of its 87 gardens qualifies for an