About Neela:
The Nilgiris, or Blue Mountains, are a range of mountains in the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Neela is a Nilgiri black tea grown at an elevation of 6,000 feet. Specifically, it is from the Coonoor district, which is renowned for its lush, green, rolling hills and its plethora of birds and wildflowers.
The tea garden where Neela is grown is blessed with both high elevation and evenly distributed rain patterns, an ideal environment for producing flavorful, aromatic teas.
Neela is produced by plucking the leaves in the early morning, allowing them to wither for a short time, and then gently rolling the leaves with light pressure. This light rolling technique is different than other gardens in the area and it imparts a semi-oxidized effect that allows the flavor to develop gradually.
Though tea is produced throughout the year in Nilgiri, the best teas are from the cooler winter months (late November to mid-February). At this time, the cool, dry air slows the growth of the plant, ensuring a higher concentration of fragrant sap in the leaf.
Ingredients: Black Tea Leaves.
Flavor Profile:
Delicious green herbal, floral, and citrus aromas. Full, smooth taste with a subtle turbinado sweetness.
Brewing Instructions:
Every tea is different and can be brewed in different ways. The chart below is not a hard-and-fast guide for brewing this tea, but rather a place to get started. Steeping time may vary based on your personal taste or on how many infusions have already been done. Experiment with the brewing of your tea to discover its unique character.
| Water Temp °F (°C) | Steep Time (minutes) | Number of Infusions | Quantity of Leaf (tsp / 8oz water) |
| 180°F (82°C) | 3 | 1-3 | 1 |
