Indian Tea

While educating tea lovers on true facts of tea, “Tea with Nipun” never hesitate to appreciate ethical tea businesses around the globe. SerendipiTea (https://www.serendipitea.com/) co-founded by the Lady Linda Villano is one of them. This reputed New York based tea company has initiated a Small Farmers Tea Project which is a consortium of 1,088 tea farmers in Idukki District, South India who have been divided into 50 groups varying from 15-30 farmers depending on locality.

The mission of the project is to “Empowerment of village communities especially the tribal, women and the marginal farmers towards sustainable development by conserving and enhancing local resources in order to have fullness of life.”

The general body of farmers has elected group leaders, coordinators and model farmers for each group. Newly picked green leaves are collected by consortium members in five zones then deliver to a central factory for manufacturing. Extra money earned by the consortium are utilized solely for social and community development. The overall objective of this Project is to “improve the living conditions of small and marginal farmers in the Idukki District by income generating measures through organic tea cultivation and processing”. Additionally, higher focus is placed on empowering the women in the communities and on social projects including children’s education, improving and in some cases implementing public utilities services like drinking water, by providing medical and health awareness and old age pensions.

According to https://www.serendipitea.com/, Sensory profile of this tea produced at the factory is similar to Nilgiri yet has a unique aroma and subtle flavour akin to honey and toast. The brisk, light-medium bodied, bright copper hued tea is ideal for an afternoon cuppa. And with such a story behind these leaves, each sip is full of delicious goodness.

So if you’re a Tea Lover in USA why don’t you purchase this tea online via https://www.serendipitea.com/NEW-TEA/TheSmallFarmersTeaProject.html and contribute to uplift living standards of these poor South Indian tea farmers.

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References

1.More Info: https://www.serendipitea.com/NEW-TEA/TheSmallFarmersTeaProject.html

2.Image Credit: https://teaperspective.com/

Tea is a way of life in this subcontinent ! Indians can’t imagine a day with out their favorite cuppa. Assam region in India is also recognized as an origin of tea. In a time when my dear South Indian and Bengali tea lovers are getting ready for the new year, It’s my pleasure to bring more information on tea market in India and some projections based on an executive summary published by Euromonitor International (https://www.euromonitor.com/) on March 2019.

PROSPECTS

DEMAND FOR TEA TO INCREASE DUE TO LOWER PRICES, ON THE BACK OF THE GST

Indian tea witnessed slower growth in 2017 due to production decline of black tea driven by unfavorable weather conditions in the national. Anyway, tea overall was starting bouncing back in 2018. So it’s a good news, isn’t it ?

TEA SALES TO GROW THANKS TO TEA LOUNGE OPENINGS IN INDIA

Tea lounges have been successful in attracting millennials because of their premium / exotic offerings and wide range of teas offered. Some of the tea lounges, which include Chai Point, Teabox, Chaayos, Tpot, Chaipatty Teafe, Chai Thela, Udyan Tea, Chaisa and Chai Gram, have already made their presence in multiple cities in India.

DEMAND FOR TEA CLAIMING HEALTH BENEFITS RISES, WITH GREEN TEA SHOWING STRONG GROWTH

Tea claiming health benefits is experiencing a growth in India thanks to consumer adoption of healthier products. Many private label players have introduced tea with health benefits, providing consumers with a wide range of brands for selection.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

HINDUSTANI UNILEVER AND TATA GLOBAL BEVERAGES CONTINUE TO LEAD TEA MARKET IN INDIA, BUT REGIONAL COMPANIES REPORT FASTER GROWTH

Giants like Hindustani Unilever and Tata Global Beverages are leaders in tea market, accounting for well more than 50% of sales value in 2018. Unilever reported double-digit growth in over the year.

I hope you gained a little understanding on Indian Tea Market with above piece of information, specially if you’re a Non-Indian. Tea market is changing so fast. Younger generation love to experience more teas from all over the world. Yes, Indians do have wonderful teas coming from Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri etc. But there is a possibility of entering more and more Chinese and Japanese Green teas. Even Pure Ceylon Tea from their neighboring Sri Lanka.

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References

1.Executive Summary: https://www.euromonitor.com/tea-in-india/report

2.Picture Source: https://scroll.in/magazine/825692/everyones-cup-of-tea-photographs-of-chai-time-across-india

Even though Assam is recognized as one of the origins of tea, this beverage crop was first commercialized by Brits. Since it’s a tough work to manage a tea estate, only men were appointed as managers. But now we have got Manju Baruah, 43, as the first lady manager at Hilika tea estate in Tinsukia district belongs to Apeejay Tea. She was appointed since August 2018.

According to https://www.telegraphindia.com/ she drives a Maruti to visit different divisions in the estate, considers talent to be gender-neutral, She thinks that the industry needs people who love tea and does self-analysis for a better future.

Her husband is a telecommunication professional and they have got an 11-year-old daughter. This courageous lady joined the company as a trainee welfare officer in 2000 when it had taken a unique decision to hire women to the post. She initiates at 6am and ends at 3.30pm. She then plans for the coming day.

“Since it is a labour-intensive industry, it is equally challenging for both male and female workers,” Baruah said, adding that women heading tea gardens was an aberration in the traditional management structure.

She admitted that she has faced tough situations at different estates tackling the male workers. “If I am fair, right and just to my workers, I need not be afraid,” she said.

“I am an outgoing girl. I was very engaged with workers and my talent, sincerity and hard work helped me get this far,” Baruah said. She forwards her gratitude to the company for adopting a forward-looking approach with no discrimination. The estate has employed around 2,500 workers.

Karan Paul, chairman of Apeejay Surrendra Group and Apeejay Tea, told, “Baruah is a committed and sincere professional. She has shown through her performance that she can handle the demands of a garden manager successfully. This achievement is absolutely her own. I will be happy if her achievement encourages other talented and qualified women professionals to join the industry at leaderships positions. The tea industry, indeed, is dominated by men but there are tremendously talented women at field and factory levels.”

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Original Post: https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/apeejay-tea-appoints-first-woman-tea-manager-in-assam/cid/1678203

Canton Tea is one of the most reputed tea companies in England and a luxury wholesale supplier to the premium hospitality sector. This renowned company has developed it’s latest product “Caramel Tea” to its range at The Wolseley. I am bringing below information originally apeared on
https://www.teaandcoffee.net/ with some changes and additions.

According to original post this tea is ideal for the adventurous tea drinker, The Wolseley Caramel Tea blends black tea leaves from Nilgiri (Meaning: Blue mountain), South India and natural caramel giving a velvety, rich blend. Nilgiri tea may not be so renowned as Darjeelings or Assams, but this aromatic tea can be taken sweetened for those looking for an indulgent drink, or unsweetened for a refreshing and surprisingly savoury flavour. Pure Nilgiri Tea has a slightly fruity, minty flavour, probably because trees like the Blue Gum and Eucalyptus dot the region. And perhaps the spices produced in close proximity to the tea gardens lend the light brew its briskness.  The balanced blend of flavour and body makes Nilgiri tea a ‘blender’s dream’. 

Founder of Canton Tea, Jennifer Wood said: “The Wolseley is all about blending traditional quality with style and innovation, so for us at Canton it was a pleasure to express this in an exclusive new Caramel Tea. We love it that they not only serve this rich, smooth, deeply satisfying tea in the restaurants (and it goes down superbly with the Afternoon Tea) but they also have it as part of The Wolseley’s wonderful retail collection. This means anyone can buy a caddy of Caramel Tea to drink at home or give away as a gorgeous gift.”

The leaves in The Wolseley Caramel Tea are carefully exclusively handpicked and crafted to tease out the sweetest notes and complex flavours. It’s unique, the tea is produced by a small co-operative of farmers in the Sahyadri mountains of South India. This co-operative is part of an NGO organised by the female run Peermade Development Society whose sole aim is to uplift the lives of poor and underprivileged members of society, mainly women and children, in rural southern India. The loose-leaf tea is well packaged in a re-usable gold tin with distinctive Chinoiserie detailing inspired by the iconic interiors of The Wolseley on Piccadilly.

The new product range will comprise an original Caramel Tea created by Canton, Salted Caramel Shortbread and Salted Caramel Florentines available to enjoy in The Wolseley or to purchase online, in the Piccadilly flagship and from The Wolseley Shop’s first dedicated retail space, adjacent to Café Wolseley at Bicester Village.

View More Tea News + Articles: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1.Original Post: https://www.teaandcoffee.net/news/22142/caramel-tea-from-canton/

2.Company Website: https://cantontea.com/

3.About Nilgiri Tea: http://www.teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/Nw==

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Tea firm Twinings published a list of the Indian plantations it buys from on Monday, citing the need for transparency to improve conditions in an industry experts say is rife with abuse.

Twinings is one of the most reputed global tea brands which serves high-end tea consumers all over the world. By the meantime, transparency and sustainability has become a key driving factor in European and North American markets.

India’s tea industry, the world’s second largest, employs 3.5 million workers and studies have found many live in appalling conditions, below the poverty line.

“Workers on India’s tea estates often struggle with low pay and poor conditions,” said Nick Knightley at Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), a British-based group that works to improve the lives of workers who make consumer goods.

“Greater transparency from brands means greater scrutiny and accountability,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “It means exploitation has fewer places to hide.”

Many women working on plantations in the northeastern state of Assam, where Twinings sources much of its tea, earn a “pitiful” $2 a day and live in “appalling” conditions, found a report from Traidcraft Exchange in May.

The British charity launched the campaign ‘Who picked my tea?’ to bring about change for plantation workers in Assam through increased transparency.

Bettys & Taylors Group, which owns brands including Yorkshire Tea, in June became the first major British company to publish their full list of tea suppliers.

“Twinings’ move puts pressure on the other big tea brands – PG Tips, Tetley, Typhoo, and Clipper – to follow suit and publish their lists of suppliers in full,” said Fiona Gooch, a senior policy advisor at Traidcraft Exchange.

It comes as major brands face mounting regulatory and consumer pressure to ensure their products are free of slavery and abusive practices.

Some Indian plantations certified as slavery-free are nonetheless abusing and underpaying their workers, according to a study by Britain’s Sheffield University.

Cut-price fashion chain Primark, which like Twinings is owned by the Associated British Foods group, earlier this year published details of all the factories it sources from.

Twinings says it works to ensure all its suppliers meet ethical standards and also runs programmes to help communities around plantations, including installing clean water supplies and sanitation and helping children access education.

“Transparency is part of the journey to improving the lives of tea communities we are sourcing from and is important to drive the change we all aspire to see,” a spokeswoman said.

It’s true that living conditions of plantation workers is at the poor side. But it’s also high time for global tea brands to involve directly in social welfare activities rather than putting unnecessary pressure on plantation companies. Plantation companies should also be responsible to treat their workers as best as they can.

References

1.Original Post: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-slavery-tea/twinings-reveals-suppliers-amid-drive-for-slave-free-indian-tea-idUSKBN1KY1VX

2.Company Website: https://www.twinings.co.uk/

3.Picture Source: https://www.twiningsusa.com/