Not my cup of tea: As China extends its lead, India’s tea exports see a steady decline

Darjeeling has a distinct character. The city is perched on a mountain ridge and surrounded by picturesque and lush tea estates, giving it an air of serenity. The mighty Kanchenjunga stands tall in the background as if to protect the region, home to some of the finest tea in the world, and the 80-plus tea gardens spread across the area. In 2014, the tea leaves from Makaibari estates in the region fetched a record $1,850 (Rs 1.12 lakh) a