Munnar has an easy approach but tea gardens of Darjeeling and Assam are beautiful.
On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 10:50 PM, Srinivasan MS <[email protected] > wrote: > *In Hindu Puranas ( Old documents) and scriptures, references being made > to a herbal brew that rejuvenates and stimulates, which is probably Tea that > they were referring to. Since there are no proper records about this except > vague references, Chinese are thought to have discovered Tea around 5,000 > years ago*** > > * * > > * * > > *One of the most famous and refreshing drink in the world is tea. Made > from the plant called as Camellia sinensis, tea is one of the most widely > consumed beverages in the world having the components of generating > rejuvenation by removing lethargy and fatigue, consumed second only to > water. This is an evergreen plant that is available in four basic types > namely - black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white tea. Grown mainly in > the tropical climate, it needs at least 50 inches of rainfall a year. The > medicinal properties of Tea include natural source of the amino acid > theanine, methylxanthines such as caffeine and theobromine, and polyphenolic > antioxidant catechin. It also is free of carbohydrate and fat and act as an > important antidote. > > > The credit for the origination of this popular brew goes to South East > Asia, where tea was first put to culinary use, as both food and drink. From > there, it had reigned to almost 52 countries. China claims to have the > earliest records of tea consumption, which was then used as medicine. From > then on, it spread to Japan and Korea before coming to India. Taiwan , > United Kingdom and Sri Lanka were also the ones who were affected by the Tea > expansion. > > > Focusing on India, Tea is perhaps the most widely consumed beverage in the > country. Having a very ambiguous origin, with its mention dating back to the > age of the Puranas. The tea cultivation begun in India in the nineteenth > century by the British, however, has accelerated to the point that today > India is listed as the world's leading producer, its 715, 000 tons well > ahead of China's 540, 000 tons, and of course, the teas of Assam, Ceylon > (from the island nation known as Sri Lanka), and Darjeeling are world > famous. However, because Indians average half a cup daily on per capita > basis, fully 70 percent of India's immense crop is consumed locally. Though > the Darjeeling tea gardens are the most widely known, but there are certain > tea producing parts that have remained camouflaged in spite of the glitz and > glamour. > > > The most sought after hill resort in South India, Munnar. Munnar is also > famous for its endless and aromatic tea gardens. More than 12,000 hectares > of tea gardens adorn this hill station, wherein in only one estate can > produce up to 70 kg black tea in an year. Tea has become Munnar's claim to > fame. Known as the tea city of Kerala, Munnar has been successful in > becoming one of the highest producers of tea in the country. The tea garden > tourism is also gaining immense spot light in Kerala. Many tourists from all > over the world travel to Munnar and be a part of the indispensable tea > gardens. * > > * * > >
