chinese loose tea
Jungpana and Ghatia Tea Plantations
jungpana
Nestled in the verdant slopes of the mighty Himalayas, the tiny, south facing tea estate of Jungpana has been enchanting tea lovers for over a century with its famous, muscatel flavor. Its unique flavor is due to its location and altitude; the tea bushes are of the China variety, and of course to the consistent standards of excellence maintained through out the entire manufacturing process. Jungpana rests in Darjeeling and its elevation ranges from 3000 ft to 5000 ft. It has consistently been fetching the highest prices at the auctions and are also retailed from such reputed and famous gourmet outlets like Harrods and Fortnum and Mason in London and Mariage and Fauchon in Paris. Its legend:Jungpana: The Legend
Legend has it that many years ago a British hunter was roaming the Himalayas with his faithful Gurkha Jung Bahadur by his side where they were attacked by a leopard. In trying to save his master Jung Bahadur was severely mauled before his master dispensed with the beast. Jung Bahadur was weak and thirsty and asked his master for ‘pana’ or water. He was carried to a nearby stream and given water to drink but died in his master’s arms soon thereafter. Ever since that moment, the area has been known as Jungpana or where Jung Bahadur had his last drink of water. The tea estate, planted later, carries the name today.
Ghatia
Ghatia is a beautiful estate that lies on the border of the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan. A beautiful, bright, golden color and a rich, creamy body characterizes the teas it produces. Ghatia too, has established a consistent standard of excellence and regularly tops the Siliguri auction average. It has a devoted and loyal following in the domestic Indian market. Ghatia is at a height of 1000 ft. to 1200 ft. The garden has sections dating back to 110 years. The British planted it and the Kejriwals bought this estate from Dooars Tea Co., in 1975. Dooars Tea Co. was a sterling tea co. meaning it was registered in the UK. It was initially a leg cut estate meaning the estate produced leg cut teas while presently the teas produced are CTC.
Harsh Kerjiwal
Tea appreciation, as Harsh says, can only happen when you’re living, breathing, walking and sleeping tea at all times—an experience that you will embrace when you come to one of our plantation destinations for this personalized appreciation course. While a “classroom” session might have piqued your interest in this wonderful beverage, Harsh extends you an invitation to come and complete this journey by experiencing tea the way the planters do.
Harsh Kejriwal, owner and managing director of Rungamattee Tea, took over the reigns of the family tea company in 1970. Over the past 35 years, Harsh has spent countless hours mastering the science and art of manufacturing the world’s finest cup of tea.
Harsh has drawn extensively on his engineering background from the University of Michigan in creating robust quality control processes that ensure only the highest quality in every cup produced by Rungamattee.
With the aid of managers who adhere to the strict standards he has set, Harsh personally oversees the management of Jungpana, Ghillidary, Ghatia and Chandighat—the four estates that constitute the Rungamattee boutique. This personal attention is evident in these brands consistently commanding the highest prices in the open auction system.
Harsh’s passion for producing the best tea is driven by his desire to drink the best tea. Harsh is excited at the opportunity to share his passion of tea with you and welcomes you to come and learn what goes into creating the world’s finest cup of tea!
For itinerary, more information, and to sign up, please download this printable flyer.
We are pleased to present new events at The Tea Grotto.
Live music every Saturday in April from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday Afternoon at the Tea Grotto (see below)
Gallery Stroll every third Friday (music, tea tasting, and a new artist) We also have all new food! Sandwiches, soup, burritos, tea pairings and desserts.
The Tea Grotto and SoulSalt, Inc present: Sunday Afternoon at the Tea Grotto 2:00 – 3:00 pm First Sunday of each month
April 6th Health benefits of tea by Rebecca Sheeran and Living by your core values by Lyn Christian, SoulSalt, Inc.
May 4th Colors of tea by Rebecca Sheeran and a Color presentation by Kristan Frei
June 1st Chai by Rebecca Sheeran and Adding spice to your life by (Shelley Jarrard)
July 6th Tea as a lifestyle by Rebecca Sheeran and Spiritual aptitude by Deb Sylvester
Living By Your Core Values by Lyn Christian, SoulSalt, Inc.
So what exactly is a core value system? Great question. To find the right answer, we have to actually ask ourselves a different question: What are my highest priorities, the themes and aspects of character that draw me out, attract my admiration and resonate with my soul? While there are enduring and globally inherent elements that could seem to standardize the definition of ‘core value system’ for the human race, the truth is, each person has a unique way of expressing and articulating not only what their own values are but also what the concept of a core value system means to them.
According to researchers at the University College London, those who drink black tea are able to de-stress more quickly than those drinking a placebo. The stress hormone cortisol (associated with all manner of ails), spikes during a fight-or-flight response, and it’s abatement in the body is much faster for someone who’s recently had a cup of black tea.
Additionally, people who drank black tea regularly (four times daily for six weeks) were found to have lower baseline levels of cortisol.
So—as if you needed any more reason to steep up your favorite black tea—go ahead and add serious stress reduction to your long list of tea health boons.
Hello everyone, just wanted to let you know that we experienced a couple days of downtime because we’d forgotten to check the automatic renewal of our hosting services. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for visiting us!
In Tucson, Arizona summer begins earlier than in most places. We actually have 2 summers here. The first is hot and dry with temperatures well into the 100’s and the second is the Monsoon season, a time of moisture, rain, magnificent cloud formations, and thunder and lightening. It is this life giving water that once again revitalizes the high, Sonoran desert; succulents and cactus swell in size producing buds and flowers, desert plants thrive and the animals, bird life, and insects are abundant. This is the source of that wonderful Prickly Pear that so delights the ice teas blends that we enjoy.
The summer is not my favorite time of year because it means negotiating with high heat and sometimes humidity that creates some physical discomfort. But over the years I have learned to adapt and even appreciate this creation of nature. Summer here is like winter in other places, you stay indoors in the daytime and come out in the morning and evening. The city quiets down with so many people leaving on vacation, the “snow birds” are long gone, and the University is at a very minimal enrollment. The streets are empty and traffic congestion eases, this is grand.
So I make the best of those early mornings that are filled with dragonflies and hummingbirds hovering over my back yard garden as I slowly sip and savor the light green, bud abundant, elegant, Lung Ching green tea (pronounced lone jin) from China. Green and white teas are energetically cooling to the body according to Traditional Chinese medicine. So even if you drink t