Famous Indian Kangra tea has Chinese roots

Kangra Tea, which has a history of more than 150 years was introduced by a British soldier in the Kangra's Palampur to provide employment to the people. Now, it has world based customers as the aroma and the health benefits stand out among other famous teas.

Palampur: One must have heard about the famous tea of Himachal's Kangra but do you know how it came to Palampur's Kangra and who brought it?

Kangra tea which has its own identity was introduced by the Britishers in the year 1850. During this time, British botanists conducted a survey of the valley to see what could be commercially grown there. Tea was a “hot” item at the time, with on-going trial plantings in Darjeeling, Dehradun, Almora, and the south.

Tea was introduced in the district around 150 years ago by a renowned biologist and soldier Jameson who brought tea bushes from China and planted them on an experimental basis in Kullu, Mandi, Chamba besides in Palampur and Dharamsala areas of Kangra district.

BBL Butel, the owner of the tea plantation, says that the Britishers enjoyed the tea season here and hence tea was introduced here in the year 1850. Since the seeds were brought from China, this tea was also called Chine Hybrid.

According to Butel, the color of Kangra tea may be less than any other tea, but its taste and aroma are totally different and better than any other tea. Now, the demand for Kangra tea is in many countries of the world.

Tea expert DS Kanwar explains that Kangra tea is good not only for taste but also for health. It's anti-oxidant, anti-aging properties make it better than other teas. The production of this tea is about 1 million kg annually. Which includes Black Tea and Green Tea. Most of Kangra Tea is exported to Europian and Asian countries.

He further said that thanks to its taste, aroma, and quality, Kangra tea has made its place in the list of best teas in the world. This tea has won many awards for the same. Today there are many fans of the tea but initially, it was limited to England, Spain, and Holland.

One of the producers Manoj Thakur said that on the America tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Kangra tea to American President Donald Trump.

Himachal government is also playing its role to make Kangra tea popular. The production of Kangra tea has given employment to about six thousand people in the town.

Kangra tea has been granted Geographic Indicator identity for its unique flavour, which it can use for brand marketing. Besides, farmers have also been encouraged in Mandi and Chamba districts to plant Kangra tea bushes.

(With inputs from PTI)