Nilgiri Orthodox Tea of Tamil Nadu

Nilgiri orthodox tea is produced in the Blue Mountains of Tamil Nadu at elevations above 1500 metres in Ooty, Coonoor, and Kotagiri. Unlike Assam CTC tea, Nilgiri tea is made by the orthodox rolling method which preserves whole leaf structure and produces a brisk, fragrant, bright-liquoring cup with muscatel floral notes from the cool mountain climate. Nilgiri tea received GI certification in 2023. The main growing districts are Nilgiris and Coimbatore. The Blue Mountains Cooperative Society and several estate cooperatives represent small growers. Nilgiri tea is exported primarily to the United Kingdom, Germany, and Iran. The tea flush season runs from January to March (winter frost teas) and July to September. Frost teas and high-grown orthodox Nilgiri are particularly prized by specialty tea buyers in Europe.