Dear Mr. Barua, We have been hearing the dismal stories of the financial crises of the Tea Estates in Assam, but really do not have a clear idea of why this is so and whether there could be a solution to the problem. And if there is a solution, then what are preventing the agencies from utilizing the benefits of the packages offered so far. Could you spell out some of the problems as an insider like yourself sees it. Here in Taiwan, Assam Tea is very popular, but sadly enough when I tried to get some importers to import directly from Assam, they shied away as the rates were far too high as compared with Sri Lankan and Kenyan tea; so actually the "Assam Tea" that we drink here are either Sri Lankan or Kenyan blended with an artificial flavour that gives it the distinct taste and aroma -- "railway station boquet" as we call it back home!!
Last year, Shri Chiranjit Chaliha gave me some tea which was simply exquisite; I shared it with friends here and they keep asking me to get some more, but unfortunately I have not been able to manage it this time! A notable surprise is the tea grown by Mr. John Marbaniang at Sorynkham, Shillong. He produces a limited quantity of "highland tea" which has the distinct blend of Assam and Darjeeling -- if made properly, I'd say that this tea has a very good flavour and colour, and the best part of it is that the taste lingers after even the very first sip. Tea drinkers would be very pleased to try this natural tea with no additional blending grown in the highlands of the Khasi Hills where the water is fresh and the air un-polluted! Anjan K. Nath ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bijay Barua" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 12:24 PM Subject: [Assam] Assam Tea > Hello ! All u 1st/2nd generation of Assam Tea Lovers, > > My name is : Bijay Ketan Barua ( My Sister is > Dr.Aradhana B. Satin & Br-in-law is Mr.Robert > Satin.---residents of Neshanic Station, NJ). I am in > Tea ---as a Planter, Manufacturing Adviser & finally > as a Tea Trader for the last 33 years. My father Mr. > Sudhir C.Barua ,is in Tea as a Agronomist for the last > 55 years. So between the two of us we r together 88 > years in tea ! ( I am leaving aside Late Maniram > Dewan--- my Great-Great Grandfather, who is credited > with starting the 1st ever formal tea cultivation by > an Indian Tea Planter---- which of course was not to > the liking of the British. He was later hanged by the > British on false charge of trying to start a > rebellion against the British. ) > I am extremely pleased to know that people are there > to appriciate Assam Tea----- which really is the only > item for which Assam is known outside India.(Endi & > Muga are not going out so much.) Unfortunately, the > industry is passing through it's worst ever period in > its entire life-time. Almost all the T Estates are > facing severe financial crisis. We are unable to see > any light at the end of the tunnel. > > Any way, Thanks again for the good words. If you can > find a good importer of Assam Tea ,you are most > welcome to contact me over E-mail. > Best wishes & Jai-Hind. > Bijay > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software > http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com > > _______________________________________________ > Assam mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam > _______________________________________________ Assam mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
