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Tea in Nepal

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Nipun Wisnagalage
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Now Nepal Tea Can be Blended with Darjeeling Tea

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water. No exception in India as well. Indians love their cuppa. Tea is also a way of life in this part of the world. Tea coming from Darjeeling region, North India is recognized as one of the most exotic and finest tasting teas in the world. Darjeeling first flush emerges following winter & early spring is an extremely healthy & a flavorful tea loved by tea connoisseurs around the world. By the way, As  had reported Tea Board India will allow the mixing of imported tea with Indian varieties protected under geographical indications (GI) tags, diluting a previous order made on 11th Nov 2021 that banned the practice for any blend. So, Darjeeling tea with any other varieties, especially Nepal tea in their packs — as long as the final product does not claim to be an exclusive item covered by the GI label.

The estates were dependent on local players like Tata Consumers Products Ltd (TCPL), that would pick up the tea which could not be otherwise exported such as the globally renowned first and the second flush. Following last year’s ban, TCPL had refrained from buying Darjeeling tea this season, leading to a decline in auction prices. The situation led to several representations from the producers as well as buyers such as TCPL to the Union ministry of commerce and the Tea Board India.

Image Credit: The Telegraph India

Nepal teas, that has got qualities akin to Darjeeling because of similarities in terrain, have been making steady inroads since they are cheaper compared to Darjeeling. There have been representations before the Tea Board in the past to check the rampant blending of Nepalese tea, that local producers claim, often fail to pass Indian food and safety standards.

The directive proved to be counter productive as the Tatas largely remained absent in auctions to procure Darjeeling tea which is blended in their popular Tata Gold pack. An estimate suggests the Tatas buy about 1 million kg, accounting for about 15 per cent of Darjeeling’s annual production.

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References

  1. Main Source: https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/centre-dilutes-order-to-allow-blending-of-imported-tea-with-indian-varieties/cid/1892890
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Nipun Wisnagalage
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Nepal Orthodox Tea Gets It’s Own Trademark

Nepal is one of the most beautiful nations situated in the footfalls of world’s largest mountain range Himalayan. As The Kathmandu Post had reported last month, Nepal’s orthodox tea has now got its own trademark, 157 years after the country started growing tea. The trademark includes the words ‘Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalaya’. Launched in 2017 and formally executed last month, it is the first brand of agriculture produce in the nation.

This trademark will help Nepal brand and market its tea, that has been facing many issues for over a century, in the international market. Out of 42 tea factories who applied for the trade mark, only 12 tea factories and cooperatives in Fikkal, Ilam had the privilege to receive the trade mark. Trade marks were handed over by Hon. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mr. Ghanashyam Bhusal which have adhered to the Nepal Orthodox Tea Certification Trademark Directive 2018.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ghanashyam Bhusal (second right) hands over a trademark certificate to a tea producer in Fikkal, Ilam on Tuesday.  POST PHOTO: BIPLAV BHATTARAI Photo Credit: The Kathmandu Post

Among these 12 factories, nine are from Ilam—Sandakphu Tea Processors, Himalayan Shangri La Tea Producers, High Hill Tea Producer Cooperative Society, Jasbire Tea Prasodhan, Gorkha Tea Estate, Nepal Green Tea and Speciality Tea, Oasis Tea Industries, Taragaun Tea Estate and Sakejung Hill Range Tea Processing Industry.

Two factories—Bokre Dada Orthodox Chiya Prasodhan Udhyog and Singhadevi Tea Producers Cooperative—are from Tehrathum, and one factory—Sagarmatha Tea Estate—is from Sankhuwasabha.

Now no one can use the same or similar brand as the one that has been registered. Trademark serves as a defense mechanism to protect a brand from loss of reputation, and has the potential to rise in value as an intangible asset.

Nepal is bit of an isolated country since they have to cross Indian boarder to reach the nearest sea port. So exporting operation is bit of a challenge to the nation.

Nepal has got a long history of tea cultivation. The first Ilam Tea Estate in the hills of Ilam district was established in 1863. History says that the first tea bushes in Nepal were planted from seeds that were gifted by the Chinese emperor to the prime minister Jung Bahadur Rana.

It is believed that tea plantations in Nepal started within the same decade, when it was introduced in the Darjeeling Hills of India.

There are many complaints from Indian tea professionals saying that cheaper Nepalese tea is being blended with Darjeeling or sell as Darjeeling in India. Now Nepal have got an opportunity to market their own teas world wide with the new trade mark. So let’s wait and see the progress.

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References

  1. Main Source: https://kathmandupost.com/money/2020/09/23/nepal-s-orthodox-tea-gets-its-own-trademark