Nilgiri Kothagiri Black Tea
Citrus, honey and a clean floral lift from the hill town of Kotagiri in the Nilgiris.
Kotagiri, spelled Kothagiri on some labels, is a tea-growing hill town in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Its black tea is bright and brisk, with citrus, honey and floral notes. Brewed in a teapot at 94°C.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 46 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 19.2 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf |
| Water temperature | 201°F / 94°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 g filtered water at 94°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 94°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 46 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Match the leaf to the pot
Kotagiri leaf may be whole or broken. For broken leaf, stay near the shorter end of the steep, since small pieces give up their flavor quickly.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Kotagiri, spelled Kothagiri on some labels, is a tea-growing hill town in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Its black tea is bright and brisk, with citrus, honey and floral notes. Brewed in a teapot at 94°C.
Origin & Story
Kotagiri sits in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, in the Blue Mountains of southern India, and tea is the main crop of its hillsides. The name comes from Kota-giri, the mountains of the Kota, an indigenous people of the Nilgiris. John Sullivan, a British administrator, climbed to the plateau in 1819, and Kotagiri became an early hill station.
Tea followed within a few decades. In 1840 tea made from plants at Billikal, near Kotagiri, and at Ketti was sent to a society in Madras, which judged it excellent. Estates spread across the Nilgiris, and today the district makes both orthodox and CTC tea, with Nilgiri Orthodox protected as a geographical indication.
Both the southwest and northeast monsoons water these hills, so tea is plucked around the year, and the bushes grow between about 1,000 and 2,500 meters. The Tea Board of India lists lingering notes of flowers among the signatures of Nilgiri tea.
A Kotagiri cup pours bright and brisk, with orange and honey over a floral lift that stays clean at the finish. Use water at about 94°C and 3 g of leaf for 240 ml, steep for three to four minutes, and taste it plain first.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 70/100 |
| Acidity | 60/100 |
| Bitterness | 38/100 |
| Body | 56/100 |
| Aroma | 94/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Nilgiri Kothagiri Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 46 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Nilgiri Kothagiri Black Tea?
Target 94°C (201°F).
How long should Nilgiri Kothagiri Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf.
Where is Kotagiri?
Kotagiri is a hill town in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, in the Blue Mountains of southern India, where tea is the main crop. Its name comes from Kota-giri, the mountains of the Kota people.
Is Kothagiri the same as Kotagiri?
Yes. Kotagiri is the standard spelling, and Kothagiri is a variant that you may see on tea labels.
Who should avoid Nilgiri Kothagiri Black Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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