Sikkim tea facts for kids

Sikkim tea is a special kind of tea grown in the beautiful state of Sikkim, India. While it might not be as famous as Darjeeling tea from nearby, Sikkim tea is becoming very popular. This is because more and more people want to buy organic products. Most of this tea is sold under the name 'Temi tea'.

History of Sikkim Tea

Tea farming in Sikkim is mainly done by the Temi Tea Garden. This garden is owned by the Sikkim state government. There are also many smaller tea growers. Tea growing started when the last king of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, created the Temi garden. He wanted to help many Tibetan refugees in the area find jobs.

What Makes Sikkim Tea Special?

Sikkim tea has different tastes depending on when it is picked.

• The first flush is picked in spring. It has a unique taste and smell. This tea is golden and has a light, flowery finish. It tastes a little sweet.
• The second flush of Sikkim tea has a strong, toasty flavor.
• The third flush (also called Monsoon Flush) is rich and smooth.
• The final flush (or Autumn Flush) has a well-rounded taste. It also has a hint of warm spices.

How Sikkim Tea is Made and Sold

Sikkim's weather and high mountains are perfect for growing tea. This is why the tea has such a special taste and smell. Sikkim grows two main types of tea plants:

• The China variety
• A newer clone variety

Sikkim produces about 0.5 million kilograms of tea each year. This comes from the main garden and other small farms.

• Most of the tea made is Black tea.
• A delicate white tea is also made from young buds and new leaves. This is often made when people order it specially.
• A green tea with a flowery taste is also produced.
• Oolong tea is another type grown here.

About 75% of Sikkim tea is sold at an auction center in Kolkata. The rest is packed and sold locally. This tea is popular around the world because it is completely organic. Countries like Germany, the United States, France, Canada, and Japan buy a lot of it. The tea's organic status has been checked and approved by a group called the Institute for Market Ecology (IMO).

Sikkim's Tea Gardens

• Bermiok is a smaller, special tea garden. It was started in 2002 by Mr. Tashi Densapa. This private farm covers about 15 acres. It is located high up in the mountains of Sikkim. Bermiok is one of the newest tea gardens and is fully organic. Because the plants are young, the tea from here tastes more flowery and woody, with a fresh smell. Most of the garden has China tea bushes, with some TV1 and TV2 clone bushes. The farm makes about 1200 kilograms of tea each year.

• Temi Tea Garden was started in 1969. It is the oldest and only tea garden run by the government in Sikkim. The garden covers 440 acres. It is known for producing certified organic tea with a unique taste. The Temi Tea garden was officially recognized as 100% organic by the IMO control board of India in 2017.

Health Benefits of Sikkim Tea

Studies have shown that black tea from Sikkim may help with swelling and inflammation in the body. It has been observed to help reduce different types of inflammation. This suggests that this special black tea can be helpful for long-term inflammation.

Images for kids

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  The beautiful Temi Tea Garden in Sikkim.