For all tea enthusiasts, connoisseurs and fans of Darjeeling tea, it may come as a relief perhaps in case you get duped, that Darjeeling tea is the first India commodity to be included in the EU registry for Geographical indications (GI).
What does this mean?
This will prevent ‘fake’ tea originating from places other than the Darjeeling area tea gardens from being sold and marketed in the EU market.
India applied for this inclusion in the EU registry last week. India will have a domestic certification system to my personal relief and build a unified supply chain for all gardens in Darjeeling.
The India Tea board has apparently fought at least 15 cases against infringement and misuse of the ‘Darjeeling’ name, the notables being from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and amazingly France.
Additionally, the Tea Board rejected the Trademark application for Darjeeling Nouveau by a US company ‘Republic of Tea’ (ROT) – no harm intended to the acronym, apparently unable to prove that consumers view Darjeeling as a generic type, as opposed to tea from the Darjeeling region in India.
What does this do for me: I will continue to peacefully and confidently enjoy my very many cuppas a day of Darjeeling tea and feel at peace that at least today I am consuming the real thing. In the back of my mind, however I am still thinking am I really assured that my precious leaves origins are true to my favorite Darjeeling garden, for two years is a long time to be granted GI status by the EU.

Please no fakes, be nice. I love my Darjeeling.