Of Tasters & Blenders

The art of discovering fine qualities of tea leaves and then blending the is the job of tasters. Hence both blend into one but a taster may not necessarily be a blender since one could be a connoisseur.    

Most of the tasters have started their carriers with major companies like Lipton, Tetley Tata, Wagh Bakri, Godrej, Dilmah, Harada to name a few.  After having years of tasting various types of leaves from major gardens of the World many of them have moved into selling gourmet brands of their own. Well developed sensory organs assist the masters on road to success.

Big companies like Wagh Bakri have their own master blenders besides the owners being themselves expert at the task. Old companies are manned by experts that have done the job themselves. The big corporates have employees which are very good at the task. Blending is done using various kinds of leaves depending upon the strategy of the processors intended for targeted audience.

A Cup That Cheers

Tea Plucking

Tea Plant

Tea Garden

Many of the experts act a jury at Golden Leaf Awards apart from many other events that highlight the World's finest hot beverages. The consumption of this hot beverage is growing day by day not only green leaf for its health benefit but largely that of black leaf for its fantastic taste and flavor.  
 

Tea Lounge - A New Concept Gaining Popularity

Environment Day Celebrated at WB Tea Lounge

Yummys at WB TL

Inauguration Photos

Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge Interiors

Girls Gathering at WB TL

WB TL

The Directors & Celebrity

High Tea Time

Welcome to WB TL

Before Wagh Bakri Tea Company started its first tea lounge in Mumbai there were none. Such sit in place  was unheard of. Gradually tea lounges came about in New Delhi and Ahmedabad. The company plans to have a chain of these lounges that are fast becoming a gathering place for the elite of the town. 

Much like Indian Coffee Houses the places differ in offering a more posh and hush hush ambiance. The old infrastructure of  ICF with its unique charm is not there nevertheless the TLs offer fantastic meeting grounds over sizzling hot cup of Wagh Bakri Teas as well Ice Tea and a vast array of snacks.  

The establishments could be found in many places in the World on lines of tea rooms. Being few in number these were closeted and frequented only by hangers on and connoisseurs.  

These urban hangouts are not only for cheers they are excellent event venues, gathering and party  places. They are eatery of sorts. The places offer exotic WB teas apart from the usual fare.   

Tea & Me - Interesting Snacks to Go Along With

Bhel Puri By Nandita Amin

Chaat By Nandita Amin

Though tea is routinely consumed in India by a large populace few enjoy snacking with it the way it should be. Most of the time the beverage is just gushed down the phagus line to deliver. I think we have an interesting line of snacks that can make the routine consumption of tea into a ritualistic fervor and a gastronomic delight. 

Poha Jelebi By Rashi

Some of the common snacks in the country are the samosa, bhajiyas, pakoras and chevda. The imagination hardly runs beyond these commoners. Hence I am on a spurge of discovery as to what repertoire of finger foods will offer a creative binge to tea time.     

I remember how much we used to relish Gujarati Bhakri with Fresh White Butter in our younger days. The cook is no more and the butter has turned yellow.   

My proclivity is definitely towards Gujju snacks being one myself. Hence Fadfa Jalebi is another good accompaniment available mostly in Gujarati towns but it is slowly creeping elsewhere thanks to migratory Gujju populace. I once had cabbage pakoras a specialty of a border township at Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kehri in UP not forgetting Mirchi Pakoras near Sitapur which delivered no biting hot singe but a gently flavor. 

Dhokras and Khakras are very popular all over India and I love them along with tea. Dry Phulkis are my recent favorite thanks to innovation at Courtyard House in Kanha. The mashed potatoes, boiled chick peas and spices are added inside with topping of tomato sauce. All this to avoid water for Firangees. This also goes down well with sun downers. 

Bhel Puri and Pani Puri, infact all chaat items do not go well with at all. Sweet based snacks do not gel well not at least for real tea drinkers. One exception is Jelebi which by necessity is a breakfast item.

Simple bread and butter or cheese seandwich goes well with black tea but loaded sandwiches, cutlets and aloo parathe uh! oh!

Snacks with Subtle Salty Flavor are ideal as tea accompaniment.

Chai Samosa

Dhokla by Nandita Amin

Ginger Tea

Global Tea Comsumption

Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge Mumbai

Iced Mint Tea

Iced Tea

Though tea consumption is rising fast globally yet it rates as poor second whence compared to coffee. Coffee is still the preferred mode of drink but in countries like India, China, Sri Lanka which are major producing countries per capita consumption is very high.  

There are more than 120 countries where the hot beverage is consumed. The taste for the hot brew is rising fast keeping in the the appealing flavors as well as the health benefits.  In India consumption became a lifestyle after massive campaigns during the British Rule. In order to compete with the Chinese cultivation seeds and technology were both introduced from China.

Besides the countries mentioned a lot of tea is consumed in Britain. The brew also finds patrons in Europe and North America. With innovations in packing as well as development of iced and bottled tea  the trend in coffee drinking countries is changing fast. More and more people are attracted to these products. Similarly  the rising popularity of green leaf is also contributing to the growth.

Some of the main buying markets are Russia, USA, Canada, Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt, Iran and UK. In countries like USA the maximum consumption is that of iced tea now sold in bottles and vending machines.

Per Capita consumption patterns of tea drinking countries.

Turkey 6 + Kg 

Morocco 4 + Kg 

Ireland  3 + Kg

Mauritania 3 + Kg

United Kingdom 2 + Kg

Though green tea consumption is increasingly attracting coffee drinkers it is the black tea that finds phenomenally large number of tea lovers.  

The Jewel in The Crown - Tea

Throughout the centuries the wonderland India was the target of many civilizations. The invaders and plunderers were the first to arrive and arrive they did relentlessly. The Greeks, Mongols, Arabs were the invaders who did not stay put but wrecked havoc on a populace that had long ago forgone militancy. The campaigns were brutal besides imposing ideological alterations vehemently as proselytizers. 

The land of rivers, forests and riches was a cynosure of many global entities. A branch of Moghuls settled permanently and rejoiced in conquest that was both enriching and at times brutal. The conquest was both overpowering and imposing. They brought about an enrichment by admixture of foreign culture in terms of lifestyle and architecture and religious pursuits but not more. 

The British set about a paradigm change as rulers wherever they went including in the Jewel in Crown. The junta paid a price through voracious economic exploitation, famine and subvert domination. But the then superior civilization in terms of technology and innovations did the populace a lot of good as well. They brought in infrastructure, organized and systemic management techniques - politically and administratively - and reforms all of these  still persist in contemporary era. 

The masters had caught on to tea by 1700 as a beverage. This was until then a  medicine in the cabinet. The popularity of the beverage brought into the fore play the dynamics of economics. To counter highly priced leaf from China efforts were made to cultivate the leaf in India.      

About 1800 Governor General William Bentinjck appointed a committee to cultivate the leaf in India. But in the absence of closely guarded Chinese cultivation technique the initial foray was a failure. Experimentation were than carried out in Assam with the result the Indian State is one of the leading producer.  

Subsequently the Nation became a quality tea producer and the black leaf  became popular in England and Australia.    

Thomas Lipton a Scot by Birth began purchasing the leaf in bulk in order to market it at a cheaper rate the the Chinese leaf. Today Lipton is a global brand. Though the production saga was phenomenal the locals were still far away for this wonder beverage and that is what the preceding two blog entries are about.

are all about.

The Tea Campaigns

The tea campaign by the Association continued in India unabated. The campaign was yet to enter Indian homes especially the housewife.  To make the beverage popular in households women were the key but they could be tempted by the stall large and big keeping the conservative attitudes in mind.

The strategy to entice this elite clientele used was simple. Visit Indian homes and train the better halves to make the brew.  Street by street the brew was popularized in the homes. Towns big and small were all targeted with effective fervor. The  success was earmarked by invitations that the campaigners received from homes for demonstrations. But the campaign in the villages was most successful in the first half of the 1900.      

The Indian army too was targeted apart from villages and the tea consciousness came about rapidly.  Such was the success of these campaigns that the consumption became not only a household phenomenon it also became institutionalized.  

This must have the first ever marketing campaign in such mass scale that initiated a habit so strong that it has become a phenomenon.

Chai! How it began in India

The English popularized tea as a hot beverage but it was the Indians who accorded it a mass following.  In fact they embraced it with so much fervor and zeal that its consumption in the country surpasses its production. A large quantity of leaf is imported from countries like Sri Lanka, Kenya and so in.

Its relation building and bonding mechanism out does the drink mates in the bar. Many a deals are sealed over a cup of tea hot steaming one at that. In India it is customary to serve chai to official visitors of fellow business men. 

In earlier times this beverage was considered as a medicine in the subcontinent. But as the popularity increased the leaf turned into a beverage unsurpassed by any.   I remember elders telling me of popularity of milk and jelebies as customary offerings in stalls in India. At that time tea was not in the reckoning at all. 

It was the British who made the brew popular in the country. Themselves fond of this hot beverage they promoted its cultivation in India and developed a vast market as well. Indian Tea Association owned by the  British succeeded in conversion of masses into avid tea drinkers during the nineteen hundred. 

But the real boost for tea consumption came about during the  World War I. The  Tea Campaign  initiated stalls at factories, coal mines, and  mills. This was eventually followed by the tea canteens.
Railways was another booster the Tea Association equipped small contractors with kettles and cups and packets of tea. In the beginning these vendors worked in Punjab, Northwest Provinces and Bengal railway stations. 

The vendors in spite of careful guidance the masters paid no heed and made the hot beverage their own way. This is how chai came into being added with lot of milk and sugar and sometimes jaggery.   Till this day the loud call of the vendors Chai!Garam Chai can be heard at each and every railway station.  

The next step was to set up stalls in large towns which was resisted by small vendors who brought about a new innovation. They added flavors and spices in order to out bid the larger stalls.

It was at Kanpur that spice tea came into being with the add mixture consisting of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves etc. This tool place in a Kanpur Mill canteen. Much popular all over the World this was later called the masala chai.         

Lets T it up - Party Guys

Sometimes I think tea companies should come up with some unique blends of this beverage for parties. The beverage could be hot and cold, a mix of dazzling cocktails with floral notes and fruity punch. Masala Chai could fit in the trendy parties with proper blending.

Tea trending is what can get rid of obnoxious booze/drug parties in case of young lot. I love drinks but would like to see it being balanced by lot of tea. Special snacks for these parties would be another good idea - foods that gel well with the brew.  

All this requires an innovative approach. One good thing that is happening in India is the success of tea lounges. These could well substitute for bars as hangouts and their utility as short business rendezvous is amazing.    

Discotheques and hookah bars serving this magic brew would also be welcome. Without alcohol you dance with the right steps. 

Toa Chalo Chai Ho Jaye!

Gujarat in India leads in offering tea to clients, business partners and relatives. The chai in plate concept runs wide all over this state. This limits the brew intake to the right levels. 

Like in Ahmadabad there are many City sit outs, chai carts and tiny shops that offer hang outs for the young collegians. These are good for distracting people from the lure of the hard liquor. Hic!      

Remember T augurs health - Booze buggers health and wealth. Hic! 

Expressing your taste through various popular tea recipes – give your tongue a unique flavor

Although the basic ingredients for making tasteful and vibrant tea will remain the same comprising of milk, sugar and leaves but what brings the difference is the process of preparing the brew. You might across different tastes of tea cup while visiting to your friend’s or relative’s home or even the nearby restaurant but taste will always differ. Yes, this is because of the differences in the preparation techniques.

Typical and primary recipe

You may like to prepare a cup of tea by adding some fresh green leaves into boiling water to make a extract which can be directly consumed. This is the most primary and typical way of preparing the brew, running since the oldest memorable time period. However, the taste and flavor may change colors owing to variations used.

Making dust tea

The basic concept which remains intact with making the hot beverage with the help of processed tea dust or leaves is that they will release the chemicals and other ingredients when they are brought in touch with the hot milk or water. Of course, milk will give a different taste, color and flavor to the liquid used and you can consume the extract in various ways.

Traditions of milk and sugar

Various people would like to add different proportions of sugar and milk so that classical touch can be given. No doubt, some of the people may not like to add milk rather they make tea with refined sugar only.

Boiling water and tea dust or leaves

At home, the brew is prepared with the help of tea dust or leaves poured into boiling water which is filtered to a clean cup or jar. After this, you can add some pure milk and appropriate amount of sugar to give the mixture a definite color, flavor and strength. However, when you add raw leaves into boiling water, you will have to boil it for some extra time.

In adding to the above mentioned procedures, dust can be directly mixed to the boiling milk after which sugar is added. Tea dust mixed here should be lesser in quantity as milk will try to absorb all the ingredients so that it tastes much better.

Retail chai shops recipes

While reaching at the nearby chai shops and canteens, you will find the tea being made in larger volumes and quantity which may be sufficient for 50-100 people falling in a group. Of course, the process of making tea comprising of heat source, pans and blends will differ so that each of them gives a unique flavor to your tongue. However, star hotels will prepare tea in smaller amount tailored to the taste and interest of the guest!

Interesting and amazing history progression of tea from China to different world countries

Modern Tea Lounge

Green Leaf

The Brew

Sakura

When it comes to exploring the interesting history and culture of different countries, you will find an excellent amalgamation tea drinking habits. You will realize the modern necessity of a single cup of tea. Yes,this is all about the fascinating story of tea marketing, distribution and recipe variation.This has really brought tea at the extreme corner of popularity in everyone’s life.

Right from the beginning in China, it traveled to almost every country in this world. Going through Britain, America, Japan and India the flavorful leaf  tells a tale of victory over all other conventional beverages.

Discovery

There are several stories and legends about the discovery and first sip of  this wonder brew taken by human race. The origin is indicated to Chinese Emperor, right back to 2737 BC when it was consumed by locals because of immense medicinal and herbal freshness. The plantation and distribution passed through different dynasties in China such as Zhou, Han and Tang. This is the era whence drinking this hot beverage assumed a more common form percolating down to the lowest sections of society. Of course, the beverage was exposed much to Chinese, Indian and Japanese residents as it gained early popularity. This was acceptance  as beverage and not a medicinal concoction any more.

In China and Japan the green leaf gained thrust with the creation of wide ranging varieties.Culture and trends also played a major role. In India the black leaf from Assam and Darjeeling Estates became highly popular.   

Tea Journey to England

Since tea was then very common and limited to the Chinese regions, it was possibly in the seventeenth century when it reached England. This was in the kingship session of Charles II. Of course, tea was assumed to be a royal drink at that time. It was the power and virtue of East India Company which marketed tea to  nations under its belt. However, the leaf was very expensive then and the British Government imposed hefty taxes on the consumption. This augured smuggling and black marketing which the government found difficult to control.

American Tea History

With the start of eighteenth century, special tanks, ships and containers were made to export huge quantity of leaf from China to European nations like UK. The famous Boston tea party made this leaf a symbol of protest. The destruction of leaf was done by those favoring independence from British rule in America .  

Why people love tea?

It was not the traditional trend of  tea culture which attracted people at large but also the health benefits. The brew contained  minerals and vitamins and antioxidants.  These supplied the body with vital elements initiating a cheerful countenance and warm feel.  The packaging created a transportation flexibility that lead to development of a wide range of leaves like green, white or black.