Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your (tea) garden grow?

By 2010, thanks to the efforts of the Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA), most Darjeeling gardeners will be able to answer, “Organically!”

Currently, there are 87 tea gardens which grow Darjeeling tea. For each one to make the switch to organic gardening styles, it takes about three years, during which time the tea production decreases (up to half of normal production).

For teas to be grown organically, not only are chemical fertilizers and pest control substances restricted, but some “natural” controls are as well. For example, organic gardens may not use tobacco juice to control pests.

This is a huge undertaking, but soon, you’ll be able to sip a cup of the freshest of fresh Darjeeling tees, with the knowledge that there is nothing but tea in your cup.