TEA AND TOURISM -- 2 ::

GERMANS GAIN PROFESSIONAL TEA TASTING EXPERIENCE

BY P S SUNDAR

Engineer Alexander Meinold and his wife Ute Feick-Lulay, retired teacher, were on a ‘tea tour’ in the Nilgiris through The Le Passage to India Travel Group, New Delhi. They are visiting Karnataka and Kerala for other aspects of tourism but in the Nilgiris, their focus was on ‘tea and tourism’.

“We visited tea estate, factory and museum in the Nilgiris”, Ute told me when they assembled at Kothari Agricultural Management Centre (KAMC) on March 9 for an exclusive tea tasting session KAMC had organised for their benefit.

“We regularly conduct training programmes for international professional tea tasters sponsored by Government of India.  Besides, we support Government’s initiative for ‘tea and tourism’ by offering on-hand tea tasting experience to discerning tourists like these German visitors.  The Le Passage to India Travel Group is a large organisation catering to the needs of different overseas travellers.  It will certainly help a lot to create correct understanding of Nilgiris tea if Le Passage group bring in more such travellers.   Our ‘tea tasting sessions’ enhance the value for such tourism”, KAMC Director Dr AVK Iyengar told me.

On his request, I gave a brief orientation on the global and Indian tea situation with accent on the Nilgiri tea.  I also introduced them to tourism impact on tea.   More importantly, I took them through ‘wellness’ factor of tea – its anti-oxidant , anti-carcinogenic, oxidation, cholesterol reduction, endothelial, Polyphenol, digestion, dermatological, nerves, bones, dental and mental alertness.  I rounded off highlighting the hospitality and eco-friendly role played by tea.    These were well appreciated.  

“We helped them taste besides black teas, multiple brewing Nilgiri-grown Avataa green, white, oolong and silvertip teas which have bright scope in Germany”, Dr Iyengar disclosed.

“We guided them through first-hand experience of valuing tea through appearance, infusion, liquor colour, strength and flavour besides using tongue’s taste buds”, Tea-Tasting expert Baskaran said.

“Economy in Germany is showing good signs of improvement.  The construction industry is in boom.   People are prepared to spend money.  So, it is good news for all who want to trade with Germany now”, Alexander noted.

The couple enquired if it would be possible to buy Indian teas in the same brands in German retail chains.   “We are impressed.  We will support Nilgiri tea back home”, Ute Feick-Lulay said taking with her varieties of Avataa multiple brewing teas.