thisistea:

Hopes, and Homes, Crumbling on Indian Tea Plantations, from NYT.com.

An article reporting on working and living conditions in Assam, India, which produces some of the largest quantities of cheap black tea in the world.  Conditions like this are likely much more common than known publicly. 

It’s a stark contrast to my experience at Makaibari Estate in Darjeeling. which is well known for it’s reinvestment in it’s community and workers.

Tea pluckers, most of whom are elderly women, deserve great respect and support. Without them we would not have tea.

Pluckers in the fields at Makaibari, Darjeeling. May 2013.

This Is Tea: What does “First Flush” and “Second Flush” mean?

thisistea:

The flush is simply what season the tea leaves are plucked. First flush teas are plucked in spring months (March, April, May). Second flush teas are plucked during summer months (June, July August). There’s an Autumnal flush too.

Specifying first, second, autumnal flush is generally used for…

This Is Tea: What does “First Flush” and “Second Flush” mean?

The East Frisian tea experience of Germany

From The New York Times:

“East Frisian tea,” he said with pride. It was blended by a tea seller in the region where he grew up. “It is special.”

I stared at the strange mixture and sipped. It was strong and biting, mostly dark Assam leaves leavened only by a bit of Darjeeling. But as the sugar and cream rushed up from the bottom of the cup, the brew softened.

The East Frisian tea experience of Germany