Premium tea from Assam's Dibrugarh district was auctioned for Rs 99,999 per kg on 14th December (Tuesday), the "highest price" ever garnered in any tea auction in the country.
According to Gauhati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) Secretary Priyanuz Dutta, the Manohari Tea Estate sold 1 kg of their 'Manohari Gold' type to Sourabh Tea Traders."This is the country's highest auction price fetched in tea selling and buying," Dutta added.
"We produce the tea in response to increased demand from discerning consumers and aficionados for this type of premium quality specialty tea," said Rajan Lohia, proprietor of Manohari Tea Estate. He noted that the brilliant yellow liquor has a relaxing aftertaste and is known for its health advantages.
At the GTAC auction in July 2019, Manohari Gold Tea sold for Rs 50,000 per kg, the highest auction value at the moment. The record was beaten less than a month later when 'Golden Neddles Tea' from Arunachal Pradesh's Donyi Polo Tea Estate and 'Golden Butterfly Tea' from Assam's Dikon Tea Estate sold for Rs 75,000 per kg in separate auctions at GTAC.
What’s Special about Assam Tea
Assam tea is a black tea named after the Indian state of Assam, where it is grown. Assam tea is made only from the Camellia sinensis var. Assamica plant (Masters). Assam tea is only grown in Assam. Attempts to establish Chinese types in Assam soil were unsuccessful at first. It is recognized for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and robust, bright color, despite the fact that it is currently largely grown at or near sea level.
Assam teas especially blend with Assam, are frequently marketed as "breakfast" teas. Irish breakfast tea, for example, is made up of small Assam tea leaves and is maltier and stronger than other breakfast teas.
Assam is the world’s largest tea-growing region by production, lying on either side of the Brahmaputra River & bordering Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and very close to China. This part of India experiences high rainfall during the monsoon period, as much as 250 to 300 mm of rain each day. The daytime temperatures rise to about 36 degrees Celsius, creating greenhouse-like conditions of extreme humidity & heat.
This tropical climate contributes to Assam’s unique malty taste, a feature for which this tea is well known. Assam generally denotes distinctive black teas; the region produces smaller quantities of green & white teas as well, with their own distinctive characteristics. Historically, Assam has been the 2nd commercial tea production region after southern China, the only 2 regions in the world with native tea plants.
