5 Amazing Benefits of Darjeeling Tea

Regularly drinking Darjeeling tea is an excellent way to enjoy a smooth, thin-bodied tea that has a number of excellent health benefits.

What is Darjeeling Tea?

Darjeeling tea is a tea blend that is traditionally cultivated in the Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. This light variety of tea is a popular form of black tea, but it is made with smaller Camellia sinensis var. Sinensis leaves, unlike many other black Assam teas from India. This tea is not only popular in India, but it also one of the primary exports from that area of the country, and can be found throughout the world.

When it comes to taste, Darjeeling tea is quite subtle and mild, although it does have a slightly astringent or spicy aftertaste – one of its defining characteristics. Although Darjeeling tea is classified as a black tea, white, oolong, and green Darjeeling tea varieties have become more popular in recent years. These different types are produced by allowing the tea leaves to oxidize to different levels. There is caffeine in this tea, which provides some of its health benefits. ^[1]

A refreshing cup of tea is perfect for entertaining. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Darjeeling Tea Benefits

Darjeeling tea has health benefits like potentially preventing cancer and gastric ulcers, improving dental health, & aiding weight loss, because of the catechins & flavonoids present in it. Let us look at the most important benefits in detail.

Anticancer Properties

Research published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014 showed that Darjeeling tea extract has antimutagenic and anticancer properties. Antimutagenic properties on Salmonella strains present in human lymphocytes were observed during the study by Udayan Bhattacharya et al. The study further showed that the tea extract could have an antiproliferative effect, demonstrating potentially chemopreventive properties.  ^[2]

Weight Loss

Drinking tea can be good for your weight loss goals for a number of reasons, primarily because of its composition of caffeine. This chemical can stimulate the metabolism, which will increase fat- and calorie-burning, thus helping you if you’re trying to lose weight. There are also claims that caffeinated tea can help prevent the absorption of fat, making it even easier to shed those unwanted pounds. ^[3]

Heart Health

While too much caffeine can be dangerous for the heart, the antioxidants found in this tea can also help to protect the integrity of the blood vessels and arteries in the cardiovascular system, thus lowering your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis. ^[4]

Ulcers

A number of studies have found that the risk of gastric ulcers is reduced if you regularly drink this tea, as it can prevent a specific type of bacteria that often increases your chances of developing ulcers. This is in addition to the other digestive benefits of this tea, such as stimulating digestion and soothing symptoms of constipation. ^[5]

Dental Health

The antibacterial and immune-boosting properties of this tea can eliminate the bacteria and fungi in your mouth that can lead to cavities, as well as the infection that causes bad breath. ^[6]

How to Make Darjeeling Tea?

Brewing your own Darjeeling tea at home is surprisingly easy. The subtle, but full-bodied tea is considered one of the most premier teas in the world.

Revitalizing Darjeeling Tea Recipe

The classic Darjeeling tea should be enjoyed without the addition of sugar, lime or milk. Connoisseurs can determine the quality of the tea just from the aroma of the brew. 

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Course: Tea

Cuisine: British

Keyword: Darjeeling Tea

Appliance: Tea Strainer, Kettle

Cook Time: 4 minutes

Steeping Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 4 minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Author: Paromita Datta

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Ingredients

• 1 tsp Darjeeling tea leaves dried
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp warm milk optional
• 1 lemon wedge optional

Instructions

• Add the dried leaves to a teapot.
• Bring the water to boil in a saucepan.
• Add hot water to the teapot.
• Allow the mixture to steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea.
• Strain the tea and serve hot. You can serve this with the milk or lemon. 
  

Notes

This preparation is for the classic black tea. The steeping time may differ if you are making white, green or oolong tea. It is best to take this as the basic recipe and judge the ideal time for yourself.