This is a screen grab from the NPR website yesterday. I was interested in the news that the last of India's Darjeeling tea auctions is going digital, but as I read on in this article, I came across a few other things that concerned me as a fan of Darjeeling tea.
According to the article, "there are new challenges on the horizon. Later this year, the Protected Geographical Indication for Darjeeling Tea kicks in. Like Scotch whisky or Parmigiano cheese, only 100 percent Darjeeling tea, grown in Darjeeling, will be called as such. As of now, about 88 million pounds of tea are sold as Darjeeling per year, five times what the Darjeeling tea estates actually produce. The new law will protect the Darjeeling name, but it's going to drive up prices by driving down supply, according to Jeff Koehler, author of 'Darjeeling - The Colorful History and Precarious Fate of the World's Greatest Tea.'"
I don't normally share a lot of "tea news" articles on this blog, but this one struck me as something important for tea lovers to be aware of. If Darjeeling prices are going up and supply is going down, well, I think I may need to stock up on Darjeeling!
Interesting news!
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Thanks for the share. I do love my Darjeeling and buy direct, so I know I am getting the authentic Darjeeling. It already cost a chunk from my pocket book each year, so I will be curious to see how that changes.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about the designation. I think what's interesting is that it does protect Darjeeling and keep the "fake" stuff from calling themselves Darjeeling. However, it's important to remember that Nepal is also in the Himalayas and makes great teas. I think if Darjeeling gets too pricey in the future, we can look forward to great Nepal teas.
ReplyDeleteI will try to remember that if Darjeeling prices get too steep (no pun intended) for me!
DeleteThank you for the news. I will stock up on the real thing now!
ReplyDeleteInteresting!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the news
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