Orthodox speciality tea from Assam fetches highest price in Kolkata auction
GUWAHATI: Assam’s Mokalbari Tea Estate's orthodox speciality tea fetching Rs 30,000 per kg at the Kolkata auctions sets a new record, underscoring the premium quality and demand for such speciality teas in the global market.
This remarkable tea was purchased by Golden Tips, Kolkata.
This price surpasses the previous highest recorded price in the Kolkata auctions by the same producer, which was Rs 22,000 last season, according to Surajit Hazarika of Paramount Tea Marketing.
Mokalbari is one of the top Assam Orthodox tea manufacturers and rarely sells such Pure Golden Tips teas in auctions, as these high-value teas are usually exported directly to Europe.
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“We had a small window of conducive weather during the peak Second Flush, which enabled us to produce an exquisite batch of Pure Golden Tips tea. This tea boasts a malty character and is full of flavour, making it a true delight for tea connoisseurs,” said Ajay Jalan, Director of Mokalbari Tea Estate, situated in eastern Assam’s Dibrugarh district.
“We have major contracts with our European buyers for these teas,” Jalan, who was also the chairman of the Indian Tea Association (ITA), added.
On August 10, 2022, A batch of handmade orthodox speciality tea, grown in Mokalbari, fetched Rs 22,000 per kg at an auction in Kolkata. The tea was bought by Bhansali & Company, Kolkata, for their Russian Buyer Masterskaya of Tea.
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Orthodox speciality tea refers to the special blends of loose-leaf tea made using traditional methods of production, which involve plucking, withering, rolling, oxidation/fermentation and drying.
Assam is the world’s largest tea-growing region and the state contributes nearly 52 per cent of the country’s total tea production. It has 800-odd big tea estates and more than 1.44 small growers.
Commenting on the record sale, GTABA secretary Dinesh Bihani said: “These teas do not draw the real picture of the tea industry. But the industry should appreciate producers who are making top-notch teas and are making a name for the Indian Tea Industry in the world."
Bihani recalled: “Earlier record Price is Manohari Tea at GTAC. Manohari Gold tea was auctioned for Rs 99,999 per kilogram in December 2021 at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC)."