Tea, which has been cultivated, grown, produced, manufactured and processed in tea gardens in the hilly areas of Sadar sub-division, only hilly areas of Kalimpong Sub-Division comprising Samabeong Tea Estate, Ambiok Tea Estate, Mission Hill Tea Estate, Upper Fagu and Kumai Tea Estates and Kurseong Sub-Division excluding the areas in jurisdiction list 20, 21, 23, 24, 29, 31 and 33 comprising Subtiguri Sub-Division of New Chumta Tea Estate, Simulbari and Marionbari Tea Estate Of  Kurseong Police station in Kurseong Sub-Division of the District of Darjeeling in the State of west Bengal, India.

Tea, which has been processed and manufactured in a factory located in the aforesaid areas, other than tea manufactured by CTC process.

Tea, which, when brewed, has a distinctive, naturally occurring aroma and taste with light liquor and the infused leaf of which has a distinctive fragrance.

The Tea Board of India and DPA are jointly taking steps to protect the Darjeeling name under the World Trade Organization convention, covering geographical indications of source.

Under international law, Geographical Indications mean indications which identify a product as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

Darjeeling tea is India’s treasured Geographical Indication and forms a very important part of India’s cultural and collective intellectual heritage.
It is of considerable importance to the economy of India because of the international reputation and consumer recognition enjoyed by it.

In the legal sphere, countries are seeking to protect Geographical Indications as geographical indications, collective marks or certification marks.

There are both scientific as well as religious beliefs behind why Darjeeling is the most suitable place to grow tea. The local people believe that the Himalayan range is the abode of Shanker Mahadeva and the breath of God brings winds that cool the brow of the sun filled valley, and the mist and fog which provide the moisture. The fountain that flows from the piled head of Shiva provides water for crops and it thrives. The diversity of Darjeeling tea is further accentuated by differences in wind and rainfalls that depend on the altitude and exposure of the slopes under cultivation.

The quality, reputation and characteristics of Darjeeling tea are essentially attributable to its geographical origin. It possesses a flavor and quality which sets it apart from other teas, giving it the stature of a fine vintage wine. As a result it has won the patronage and recognition of discerning consumers worldwide for more than a century. Any member of the trade and public when ordering or purchasing Darjeeling tea will expect the tea to be cultivated, grown and produced in the defined region of the district of Darjeeling and have the special characteristics associated with such tea.

Consequently Darjeeling tea is worthy of its name and cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world.

Darjeeling tea cannot be replicated anywhere.