Tea, Coffee, Rubber and Spices
Darjeeling Tea and the Value of a Name
How Darjeeling tea became India's first geographical indication product, why the label adds value, and the challenges of fake tea and falling output.
Darjeeling tea is famous worldwide for its delicate flavour.
India’s first GI
In 2004, Darjeeling tea became India’s first product registered under the Geographical Indications (GI) Act. Only tea grown and processed in specific estates in the Darjeeling region can use the name.
Why GI adds value
- Premium prices: first flush Darjeeling can sell for very high prices.
- Protection from imitations.
- Reputation tied to place.
Challenges
- Fake Darjeeling: more “Darjeeling tea” is sold globally than the region produces.
- Falling output: from over 10 million kg a year in earlier decades to well below that in recent years.
- Climate change affecting yields.
- Competition from cheaper Nepali tea that looks similar.
- Political unrest: a 2017 strike in the hills stopped production for months.
Other Indian GIs
India now has hundreds of GI products, like Basmati rice, Alphonso mangoes and Kanchipuram silk.
A rare first-flush Darjeeling tea sells to overseas buyers at a price many times higher than ordinary tea, thanks to its reputation and GI protection.
Output, fakes and competition still challenge Darjeeling.
- Darjeeling tea was India's first GI product in 2004.
- GI labels protect names and support premium prices.
- Fakes, falling output and competition are challenges.
- India now has hundreds of GI products.
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