Coonoor
Coonoor sits in the heart of the Nilgiri tea belt and a guided tour of a working tea factory like Highfield or Chamraj Tea Estate is a fascinating and aromatic deep-dive into how Nilgiri tea goes from leaf to cup. You watch the withering, rolling, fermentation, firing, and grading process up close and end with a tea tasting session of freshly processed first and second flush teas — an experience that permanently changes how you appreciate your morning cup.
The best time to tour is mid-morning when the factory is in full production and the scent of freshly rolled tea leaves hangs thick in the air.