Ooty Homewood Strong Black Tea — Single Estate Nilgiri CTC | OotyMade

Homewood Estate sits in the Nilgiris and produces one of the most consistently bold, full-bodied CTC teas in the Blue Mountains. This is the strong black tea for people who take their chai seriously — the cup that wakes you up, holds up to the heaviest milk, and still delivers the brightness that makes Nilgiris tea distinct from Assam-origin blends.

No additives. No blending with other regions. Just Homewood Estate, Nilgiris, strong.

• 💪 Strong Grade — Maximum Body and Colour — Calibrated for those who want bold, deep amber tea that stands up to full milk and two spoons of sugar without losing character.
• 🏔️ Homewood Estate, Nilgiris — Single Estate Origin — The high-altitude growing conditions at Homewood deliver the characteristic briskness and clean finish alongside the strength.
• 🌿 Pure Nilgiris — No Blending — 100% Homewood Estate CTC. Not blended with lowland tea to reduce cost or increase yield.
• ☕ The Serious Chai Base — For households where tea is not an afterthought. The base for a chai that people comment on.
• 📦 Fresh Packed and Dispatched in 48 Hours — From the Nilgiris factory to your door, sealed fresh.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Homewood Strong compared to regular Nilgiris tea?
Stronger in colour, body, and the number of cups per gram. The regular Nilgiris tea is balanced for aroma and flavour. Homewood Strong is calibrated for maximum tea character in a milk-based chai — darker, bolder, more assertive.

Is it too strong for plain black tea without milk?
It is designed primarily for milk chai. For plain black tea, you may want to use slightly less tea per cup than you normally would, or opt for the Estate Blend varieties which are calibrated for both formats.

The Nilgiris — India's Blue Mountains — grows tea at 6,000 feet above sea level, where cool year-round temperatures (15–20°C), two annual monsoons, and mineral-rich volcanic soil create growing conditions found nowhere else in India.

At this altitude, tea plants grow more slowly. Slower growth concentrates the natural compounds — polyphenols, catechins, aromatic oils — that give Nilgiris tea its characteristic brightness, natural sweetness, and clean, clear liquor.

What makes OotyMade's tea range unique is traceability. We source from named estates — Kannavarai, Homewood, Darmona, Homedale, Silver Oak — so you know exactly which garden your tea comes from. No anonymous blends. No imported material. Just the Blue Mountains.

All teas are packed fresh at source and dispatched within 48 hours of your order.

For Milk Chai (Traditional Indian Method)

1. Add 200ml water to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Add 1 heaped teaspoon (3–4g) of tea powder.
3. Simmer for 2–3 minutes on medium heat.
4. Add 50–75ml full-fat milk.
5. Simmer for 1 more minute.
6. Add sugar to taste, strain, and serve immediately.

For Black Tea (Plain, Without Milk)

1. Heat water to 90–95°C (just below boiling).
2. Add 1 teaspoon tea powder per 200ml.
3. Steep for 2–3 minutes maximum.
4. Strain immediately into your cup.
5. Add lemon or honey if desired — never milk with black tea.

For Iced Tea

1. Brew double-strength (2 teaspoons per 200ml).
2. Steep for 3 minutes.
3. Strain directly over a glass full of ice.
4. Add lemon slices and honey.

Nilgiris tea stays crystal clear when iced — no cloudiness.

Best with full-fat milk and sugar for traditional bold chai. Strong enough to be the base for masala or ginger chai.

Shelf life: 12–18 months from packing date. Store in airtight container away from light and moisture.

All tea is packed fresh at source and vacuum-sealed or airtight-sealed before dispatch.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight (degrades chlorophyll and antioxidants), moisture (causes mould and off-flavours), strong odours (tea absorbs surrounding aromas rapidly), and heat above 30°C.

Best practice

Transfer to a ceramic or glass airtight container on receipt — a dedicated tea tin stored in a kitchen cabinet is ideal.

Signs of freshness

Fresh Nilgiris tea has a bright, clean aroma on opening. If the aroma has faded significantly, the tea is past its prime — though still safe to consume.

Free shipping on all orders above Rs. 2,000.

Pan-India delivery

We deliver to all 28 states and 8 union territories of India. Dispatch is within 48 hours of order confirmation.

Delivery time

Metro cities: 2–3 business days.
All other cities: 3–5 business days.
Remote areas: 5–7 business days.

Packaging

All teas are packed in sealed, moisture-proof packaging to preserve freshness during transit.

Returns policy

As a food product, we do not accept returns. If your product arrives damaged or incorrect, please WhatsApp us with a photo within 24 hours — we will arrange an immediate replacement at no cost to you.