The Nilgiris, which literally translates into “Blue mountains” are located along the Western Ghats, in Southern India. This picturesque range of high hills get their name from the Neelakurinji (strobilanthes kunthiana), a unique flowering shrub which blooms once every 12 years enveloping the mountain slopes for miles around in a purplish blue carpet. Tea is grown on the Southern end of the Ghats on many picturesque estates which are literally draped along the slopes at high elevations. The unique climatic conditions and stark topography of the area create the special environment which results in the Nilgiris producing a truly unique tea, fragrant with good body and a superlative flavour.

On Chamraj and Korakundah Estates, the topographical and climatic conditions which the Nilgiri Hills are naturally blessed with are combined with loving care and delicate handling during manufacture. The result is an interesting and superlative range of Black and Green Teas. In addition to both estates being Rain Forest Alliance certified, within the plantation industry in South India, Korakundah is accepted as being the pioneer in organic cultivation being probably the earliest property to be certified as Organic, conforming to USDA-NOP and EU norms.

Korakundah, THE HIGHEST estate in the world (a fact which is recorded and may be verified from the Limca book of records) sits majestically at an altitude of 8,000 Ft. Usually enveloped in thick swirling mist and clouds, the estate is blessed with a panoramic view which is simply breathtaking. A combination the organic character, the elevation, the rainfall pattern and many other unique factors on Korakundah endows the teas produced with a unique character which shows up naturally in every single grade and cup.

An absolutely unique feature of Korakundah, without doubt the only tea estate in the world where one would find this, is that this is the regular haunt of hundreds of Sambhar (Elks). The Sambhars have literally adopted this estate as their natural habitat and happily munch their way through the soft weeds which grow under the tea and are accepted by the workers and staff as being nature’s very own unpaid ‘weed control gang’.

While the two estates produce teas which are graded with standard nomenclature, the appearance and the cup character of both is naturally unique and vastly different from each other. In addition to the regular Blacks and Greens, Korakundah also offers Decaffeinated (C02 decaffeination) Organic Greens and Blacks.

While details of only a few of these teas are provided below, specific information on the full range of interesting teas from Korakundah or Chamraj can be made available by mailing info@teanteas.com

A well made wiry and tightly twisted 'Whole Leaf' grade. The rather ‘wild’ leaf appearance is an absolute give away of the stark environment in and around Korakundah. Being a fairly large sized leaf, this grade requires that little extra time to steep to come out with that distinctive Korakundah character

This tea produces a delightful cup with a subtle yet distinctive underlying aroma which is unique to this property. Best enjoyed without the addition of any milk or other garnish and is an ideal mid afternoon cup.

Flowery Orange Pekoe, a smaller variant of the OP, has a leaf which appears to be ‘smouldering’ with a slight reddish hue which actually accentuates and highlights the wild character of Korakundah, practically shouting for attention.

On infusion, the light coloured liquor misleads one into the belief that this is a weak cup. Far from it! The proof of the pudding being in the eating, it is suggested that the leaf be infused for a little extra time to bring out the full cup character with its inherent briskness, strength and natural astringency.

This grade is a perfect base for that special iced tea with the extra oomph!

Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe. An evenly sorted largish sized 'Brokens' grade. The reddish black mixture of leafy and curled chunky leaf particles produce a brisk liquor with 'guts' heightened with a unique Korakundah aroma which is best enjoyed with a drop of cold milk.

An interesting evening tea, for those who enjoy a cup which provides a superlative blend of strength interspersed with character.

In comparison to any tea produced by any other estate anywhere in the world, this is a Green tea with a difference! The leaf appearance is wonderfully wild and leafy with an interesting colour tending towards a muted green with tinges of yellow around the edges. Similar to the reaction which the Black OP from this estate evokes, this one too is a dead give away to the natural surroundings in and around Korakundah.

The liquor, a splash of a delightfully pale greenish-yellow hue which, thanks to the ‘head in the mist’ elevation, possesses a natural astringency giving this tea a character all it’s own. To mellow down this astringency, a half strength dosage is recommended when infusing. The result is a great 'pick-me-up' cup of unique character.

A distinctive Flowery Orange Pekoe which, since the estate is located at an elevation of around 5,000 ft well below its sister in the mist in the higher reaches of the same range of hills, has a leaf appearance which is blacker and more neat, lacking the wild character which is a unique Korakundah trait. Wiry and evenly sorted, providing this grade with a character all its own.

This large sized leafy 'semi Whole Leaf' grade produces a full and well rounded brisk cup fully displaying the distinctive Nilgiri character