National Drink: Tea

I don't remember clearly when I started morning tea and when tea became a habit in my life. Most of us do not remember this fact but one thing they are sure about is they can't live without their first cup of tea in the morning. My taste for good tea has grown gradually over the years. I started with Masala (spice) chai (tea)  and enjoyed every bit of it. In fact, I am still enjoying it as my first cup of tea in the morning.

In 1987 I first saw tea plantation and processing unit in Darjeeling, West Bengal with my parents. My father is very fond of leaf tea and since I was always keen to know how things happen, my father explained everything about it. I was excited to see the plantation and processing. It was a new type of cultivation for me. I don't remember the name of the tea estate but it was beautiful and filled with small green leafy plants, women laborers were plucking tea leaves and throwing them in the basket at their back was fascinating. Darjeeling Tea has a distinct aroma which is unique and different from rest of the tea produced anywhere in the world. Darjeeling Tea enjoys the geographical indication under international law where its quality, other characteristics is essentially attributable to its geographical location. 

Recently I came to know about Makaibari tea estate in Darjeeling which is well known worldwide for its amazing aromatic tea also known as Makaibari tea. It's fragrance is unique and after sipping first time Makaibari tea I quickly became addicted to it. Tea lovers in India must taste this unique tea. In fact, there is one more reason for tea lovers to rejoice. Recently, deputy chairman of planning commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia announced that tea would be accorded national drink of India by next April. Though I will not indulge myself into any sort of debate whether tea or milk should be national drink of our country but this little piece of new is a great matter of delight for tea lovers.