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Source: The post is based on the article “Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra tea gets European GI tag” published in The Tribune on 29th March 2023.
What is the News?
Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra Tea has got a European Union Geographical Indication Tag (GI tag).
Note: Kangra tea received the Indian GI tag in 2005.
About Kangra tea
It 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).
Main characteristics of the kangra tea:
-It have multi-stemmed frame, and narrow leaves.
-‘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.
Grown in: Kangra tea is grown 900-1,400 meters above sea level, on the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountain range in the Western Himalayas.
It is planted from seed stock raised in the Kangra valley and other selected varieties for the region.
Rain: The Kangra area yearly receives high amounts of rainfall. For example, the city of Dharmshala and its surrounding areas are recorded to be the second highest rain-receiving areas after Mawsynram of Meghalaya state in India.
Nutritional contents: ‘Kangra tea’ leaves contain up to 13% of catechins and up to 3% of caffeine and amino acids such as theanine, glutamine, and tryptophan.
Method of production: It is produced using high efficiency whole leaf-orthodox manufacture. It means that ‘Kangra tea’ is made up of whole leaf and flavour-enriched leaves with the highest content of polyphenols (catechins).
Advantages: The tag will help Kangra tea to get an opportunity to enter the European market.
