My favorite cup of tea, tea plantation and understanding Tea Tourism.

Mornings with a cup of tea along with the choice of flavor in it has no replacement for many of us. Just to open the eyes wider and land in the real world from a dream world, the magic lies in a cup of tea. Tea is available in most households in some forms and is part of our lifestyles. Enjoying a cup of tea with biscuits or snacks is an everyday ritual for most of us.

Tea cultivation has a long history in our country. Way back in 1820 Britishers started the first tea plantation in Assam. In 1837 the first tea garden was established in Assam and then the tea company started commercial productions and distributions.

Indian-grown tea was very popular among Britishers. In a very short period, it has gained popularity all over the world and India has become the largest tea producer in the world. India is famous for Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri teas.

The popularity of Organic tea and green tea has increased all over the world in the last few years for numerous health benefits. Organic tea is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc. The tea is very rich in polyphenol, a natural compound that reduces inflammation and helps fight against cancer. 

Green tea is now a necessity for every health-conscious person. Green tea is made from Camellia Sinensis leaves and buds. Different reports and medical experts say there are many benefits of drinking green tea such as help reduce weight, good for the skin, slow down aging, lower the risk of some types of cancer, and good for a healthy life.

In India, there are many variations of tea-making methods and flavors that are popular among tea lovers. Such as Masala Tea, Ginger Tea, Various types of herbal tea, Kawa Tea, Salted tea, black tea are a few to be mentioned.

A day visit to a tea garden, visit a tea factory, understand tea garden culture, tea tourism, and the popularity among tea enthusiasts and travelers.

It was a long drive on narrow lanes from the highway and then I saw greenery around me, a large land from there one can only see tea trees and nothing else. Tea garden workers plucking tea leaves can be seen at a distance, it is a completely different world and lifestyle from city, town, and village life. One can cut off from the rest of the world by spending time in isolation while roaming around the tea garden areas.

I had also got a chance to visit a tea garden factory as my family friends live there and so we went inside the premises to see tea processing units and how they are set inside the plantation. The lifestyle of tea garden workers still gives us a thought of the British era, colonial setup, and the beginning of tea cultivation in that regime. Whether it is their working hours, tea breaks, or the long siren that can be heard in fixed intervals.

Tea tourism has brought many tourists from all over the world to India. This segment has a huge potential to contribute to tourism growth in India. Assam, Darjeeling, and Munnar host a few thousand visitors every year who go there for tea tourism. Staying at a tea bungalow and visiting a tea plantation has its charm for visitors. Also, many other activities are being organized and showcase for this kind of tours such as interaction with local people to know more about tea garden culture, cycling expeditions, homestays, folk song, and dance performance, tea testing, etc are highlights of this kind of tours.