- Himachal Pradesh’s famous Kangra Tea has been awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the European Union (EU) on Wednesday, opening up new opportunities for the tea to enter the European market.
- The EU and India have long emphasised the importance of GI tags in preserving local food traditions and promoting cultural heritage.
- Kangra Tea previously received an Indian GI tag in 2005, and since 1999, the cultivation and development of the tea have steadily improved in the Kangra region.
- The development and cultivation of Kangra tea are being promoted and looked after by four departments Tea Board of India Regional office Palampur, cooperative and agriculture departments of the state and CSIR, IHBT Palampur and Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agriculture University, Palampur.
- ‘Kangra tea’ is a type of tea derived from the leaves, buds and tender stems of the Camellia sinensis species as cultivated in the Kangra valley (Himachal Pradesh, India).
- ‘Kangra tea’ leaves’ main characteristics are: a multi-stemmed frame, and narrow leaves. ‘Kangra tea’ is planted from seed stock raised in the Kangra valley and other selected varieties for the region.
- ‘Kangra tea’ has distinctive nutty, winter-green, woody floral aromas in its flavour profile. The ‘Kangra tea’ imparts a sweet aftertaste.
- ‘Kangra tea’ has a light colour and high body in liquor.
- ‘Kangra tea’ leaves contain up to 13 per cent catechins and up to 3 per cent caffeine and amino acids such as theanine, glutamine, and tryptophan.
- The teas produced in the Kangra Valley are green, oolong, white and orthodox black types.
- ‘Kangra tea’ is produced in several areas located on the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges of the Western Himalayas.
- These areas are Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra, and Dharmshala in the district of Kangra; Jogindernagar in the district of Mandi, and Bhatiyat in the district of Chamba.
- The Kangra area also yearly receives high amounts of rainfall. The city of Dharmshala and its surrounding areas are indeed recorded to be the second highest rain-receiving areas after Mawsynram of Meghalaya state in India. The average rainfall at Dharmshala ranges between 270-350 cm per year.
Kangra Tea from Himachal Pradesh gets European GI tag
