Immersion: Darjeeling

The Immersion: Darjeeling course is an intensive, five day, training program that covers the history, geography, development, manufacture, tasting, evaluation and trading of the teas from Darjeeling, India. Based on the acclaimed World Tea Tours - Immersion: Darjeeling program, this course offers the same academic content yet without having to travel the long distances and arduous conditions on the ground. It is designed for tea professionals, educators, or those who have a deep interest in learning about and increasing their appreciation of Darjeeling tea.

Held in the ITCC Intl. Tea Training Center, in the beautiful Riviera Maya, Mexico. Following satisfactory completion of all course materials and the final exam, students receive a certificate of achievement from ITCC.

Program tuition includes all training by world renowned tea experts, all course materials, all accommodations for the five days and nights, breakfast and lunch each day, scheduled recreational activities and group airport transfers.

The 5 day intensive training program covers:

  1. History of the Land
  2. Unique Environment / Terroir
  3. Introduction and Development of Tea
    1. Statistics
    2. Tea Estates
  4. Varietals and Cultivars
    1. Entomology
    2. Propagation – Seeds, Clones, Grafts
  5. Tea Garden Management
    1. Planting, Irrigation, Drainage, Shade, Soil, Fertilizers
    2. Pruning
    3. Monoculture Issues
    4. Pests, Diseases, Weeds - Treatments
    5. Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Practices
  6. Harvesting
    1. Flushes
    2. Standards – Quality vs Quantity, Machine vs Hand
    3. Labor Issues
  7. Manufacture
    1. Types of Tea
    2. Processing Steps
  8. Types of Tea
  9. Evaluation and Grading
  10. Specialty Teas and Innovations
  11. Final Exam

Course fee: $995 per person ($795 for Members). Maximum 8 people.