Dorje Mail
Our blog
Treat this as a Dispatch from Darjeeling. Here you will find tales about your teas, fables about the tea estate, legends about its birds, trees, and animals, and stories about the people who work so hard to prepare it.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬
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𝐌𝐫𝐬. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐚𝐫: (Chuckles) Well, it seems lightning's got quite the reputation around here. But you trees? You've all got your own unique way of handling it. It's like watching a nature-themed sitcom – "The Lightning Strikes Back."
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Ask Kishore
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We need a plumber – ask Kishore. He can either fix it himself or he can arrange for a plumber. We need to get our chimneys swept – ask Kishore. He will either do it himself or organise someone to do it. Where last was the leopard spotted and whose dog did it pick up? Ask Kishore. He will know for sure. Is there a landslide somewhere? Which routes should be avoided and which one is safe to take? Yes, it is simple – Ask Kishore!
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A Forest Fire
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Anyone who has ever been burnt will know that water is the best balm for burns. This was my first forest fire. The dread and fear that accompany it take many rains to heal. As I sip my cup of Dorje Tea, I thank God that Selim Hill has lived to see another day.
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Not Guilty
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She pointed out that we have a tendency to judge people based on how they look and how they dress. Well, these jade-coloured birds top the list of controversies – The common Green Magpies. Their beautiful black eyes seem to resemble a bandit mask and just because of that they have been branded as thieves.
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Puppy Love
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Friendly as he is, he is slowly working his way into our hearts and house. Partly cat like, where he values his freedom, partly wolf like in his appearance, he seems to be adopting Second Chance House and the people who live here.
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Musical Chairs
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A squirrel scurried up to Mrs Chaitea and told her that her phone was ringing in the study. It was time for some serious work on a straight-backed chair whilst tip-tapping on the laptop. She shut out the outside world and delved into the work at hand - answering mails and whatsapp messages, sorting out complaints and compliments. The flying squirrels were sent out with important messages to be delivered immediately. It was time for a break.
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The Scavenger Hunt
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"I've concocted a challenge for you," declares the Faraway Tree, feigning a tone of mystery, "but I warn you, it's not for the faint of heart.
“What do you know about me?” Mrs. Chaitea raises an eyebrow, “I am a champion at Scavenger Hunts, bring it on,” scoffed Mrs Chaitea.
Infinite Lives
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The warm interior clashed delightfully with the chilly air outside, causing the windows to fog up. And what did I do with those foggy windows? Why, I wrote "Dorje Teas" with my fingers and doodled a train engine.
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Storm in a Tea Cup
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Mrs Chaitea Sarkaar, with her sharp instincts, took charge of the crime scene. No stranger to the shadows, she started unravelling the tempest in a teapot that had enveloped Mountainmist Manor. The spilled tea took on a darker meaning – a clue that something sinister had occurred.
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Be My Friend
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Over a cup of Dorje Blue Pea Tea, I thought of fat Obelix, thin Laurel, the eccentric Thomson and Thompson, the seven dwarves, the witches of Macbeth and how they are well loved beyond the labels given to them.
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House on Fire
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The new year began very interestingly. Going through many different types of New Year Resolution posts, I read one which stuck in my head. It asked to evaluate what we would save if our house was to catch fire. As a new year wish, I asked my family members to ponder on what they would save from a burning house. It led to such fun discussions and bouts of laughter as we came up with superficial, inane things at first, and then the soul-searching began.
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Scarlet Secrets
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And then there are the sudden Eureka moments which allow you to see beyond what is apparent to the eye. The vein that runs through and through all existence and is covered with layers of earth and sky. It is the energy that fires existence and keeps the earth rotating. The throbbing RED.
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May you bear a Thousand Suns
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I could not help but notice that these sunflowers were not the hot house variety. These are better known as common weeds. (In a flashback, I was reminded of the yellow and black ambassador taxis of yesteryears). When the multitude rise and show their power, it is a sight and might to behold. May there be a cup of Dorje Teas in every hand as we celebrate the tea bushes of Darjeeling.
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Alarm Bells
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On hearing the tinkling bells, I was reminded of every Hindi movie in which the ghost wears anklets and laughs enticingly. Moreover, the bells were moving just as a ghost does, going through walls and floating around.
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Cosmic Wonder
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Floating amidst the clouds with no seeming ties with the world, deep inside me I felt a primeval resonance of belonging to this wondrous world. I forgot my cup of Dorje Kashmiri Kahwa as I stared rudely at the fierce harmony of the Kanchenjunga.
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Homecoming
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While new books, new clothes, new friends and new experiences arouse a sense of excitement, it is the old and familiar that help you to recuperate and regenerate. A well-worn cardigan, a steaming cup of tea and the dear, familiar world of birds……. added to this, was a dilapidated book from the library.
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Are you particular about your Doodh Waali Chai?
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If you're tired of the same-old, run-of-the-mill tea experiences, we've got something exciting to share with you. Meet Dorje Original Chai – the tea that's rewriting the rules of tea production and giving you a taste of authenticity like never before. Grab a cup, settle in, and let's explore what makes Dorje Original Chai so darn special.
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Unlocking the Mysteries: Reading Tea Leaves
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In a world filled with endless data and information, sometimes it's nice to take a step back, sip some tea, and let your imagination run wild. Reading tea leaves is a reminder that life isn't just about facts and figures; it's about the little moments of magic that make it all worthwhile.
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Cluedo by Ludo
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The last week at Second Chance House was one that transcended manmade borders, languages and customs. Selim Hill was home to a contingent of Oxford students who came from all over the globe. The house was abuzz with ideas, philosophies and plans.
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Sunshine on the Wing
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The Sultan Tit's diet primarily consists of big and small insects. This tiny bird is a sincere guardian of the forest, diligently patrolling the treetops and underbrush to keep the population of insects in check. As it flutters from branch to branch, its wings shimmer in the dappled sunlight, the Sultan Tit showcases the delicate balance of nature's interconnected web.
Dorje Teas values each of these miracles of nature as they control pests naturally and allow our tea to be without pesticides.
The Saucer: A Teatime Tidbit of Tantalizing Tales and Tippy Tidings!
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Greetings, tea enthusiasts and curious connoisseurs of all things steeped in joy! Today, we embark on a whimsical journey into the delightful realm of the saucer - that small, unassuming plate-like object that accompanies your teacup on its delicious adventures!
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The Emperor's Choice Tea Box - A Regal Gift Inspired by India's Artistic Heritage
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Discover The Emperor's Choice Tea Box, a regal gift inspired by India's great miniature artists, and filled with the finest teas from Darjeeling's legendary Selim Hill Tea Garden. Delight in the luxurious flavors of First Flush, Roasted Darjeeling, and Moonlight Sonata White Tea. Order now for free delivery across India!
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One Flew over the Kalij’s Nest
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A month later, beating all odds and dangers such as snakes and other predators, the kalij junior brood was proudly presented to the world. My heart filled with joy as I saw them strutting around. Who said only peacocks have the right to be proud? The stoic trees just stood around in the background. They did not have much to say.
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The Enchanting Dance of the Sturgeon Moon: A Celestial Embrace for Tea Leaves and Bushes
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In the heart of tea plantations, a subtle yet powerful transformation unfolds with the arrival of the Sturgeon Moon. Like a divine symphony, the moon's ethereal pull orchestrates a mesmerizing interplay of energies, drawing the tea leaves and bushes into its celestial embrace.
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Moonlit Magic: A Journey Through Full Moons and the Enchanting Effect on Tea Leaves and Bushes
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As we bid adieu to the mesmerizing moonlit journey through April to October, we stand in awe of the emotional resonance that full moons infuse into tea leaves and bushes. Beyond the scientific explanations, these celestial encounters evoke a profound sense of connection to nature's rhythms, transforming a simple cup of tea into a sensory experience of wonder and magic.
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Sacred and Exotic Himalayas
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I had been fortunate enough to see the sacred Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata) in bloom. The Brahma Kamal blooms only for a night attracting bats and moths with its strong fragrance. It blooms only once and then slowly dies out.
Considered rare with healing powers, it has many stories surrounding it. Brahma fell asleep while meditating and was transformed into this beautiful, mystical flower. Shiva used this flower to attach the elephant’s head to Ganesh’s body.
The Honeymoon is Over
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As in a family, the trick is to forgive and forget and collect stories for the dinner table. Today I deserved some Dorje Moonlight White Tea as my honeymoon with the honeybees was officially over. I can know proudly proclaim that I have tasted the pleasure and the pain!
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An Everchanging Playlist
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At Selim Hill Tea Garden in Darjeeling, we enjoy temperate weather. We are the perfect height where it is neither too hot nor too cold. It is like the porridge that Goldilocks ate – Perfect!
If you don’t like the weather, you need not worry. It changes as easily as the songs on a playlist. With the change in the weather, the sky changes its tune, lyrics, music and lighting.
What is common between wind chimes, swings and leaves?
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From its inception, the wind chime was taught to look for the wind. Luckily for it, the windchime had truly found the wind in all its wilderness, in its abandon, in its restlessness and its restfulness. The wind chime had become one with Selim Hill Tea Garden. It guarded the secrets of this magical, mystical place!
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Fair and Foul Weather Friend
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Twirling the umbrella as the light rain sprays onto my face, I get completely engrossed by a small frog hopping away. Peering out of my umbrella, through the haze of water and mist, I see the raindrops hanging onto the branches and leaves like little teardrops at the end of long, wet eyelashes. Stop a while and see the world mirrored in a bead of rainwater. If you have faith enough, like a crystal ball, it may foretell your future.
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How to Lose Weight? Drink Dorje Teas!
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So, sit back, relax, and embark on a tea-rrific adventure as we explore the fascinating relationship between weight loss and the world of tea.
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Time on the Himalayas
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All these secrets and many more, it whispers into the ears of the Himalayas. The wise one absorbs all your sorrows and insecurities and makes you whole and complete. A greater therapist I never knew!
Time reminded me to call for my cup of Dorje Tea. As I gazed at the Himalayas, I thanked it for not expecting me to climb its summit. It never compares, and yet is itself incomparable.
Moonlight White Tea : A Powerful Elixir for Cancer Patients' Health
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In this blog, we will explore the remarkable attributes of Moonlight White Tea and shed light on how it can positively impact the well-being of individuals battling cancer.
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Pinkwashing
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Selim Hill has a temperate climate, perfect for many kinds of flowers. Of course, I had to plant roses. I have read all the Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, P G Wodehouse books where there is always a splendid rose climbing the gate and blooming profusely. So, I planted roses – the climber Rosa Bonica, the Damask Rose, the Hybrid Rose and although I did not know which was which, they all had different shapes and colours.
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A Mechanical Marvel
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In fact, a dragon fly is just the opposite. It is delicate as a wish and nature’s version of a ballerina. It seems that Mother Nature went to craft class and decided to create something beautiful. She made transparent wings out of gossamer. So much did she like them, that she made four wings instead of just two. In each she entrapped a sparkling dew drop.
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Don’t Spill the Tea
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You know how they say money isn’t everything and you cannot eat or drink money? To clarify, tea was used as currency in ancient China. Thus, if you are a tea lover, you could actually claim to be brewing and sipping money.
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