Nepali tea
They are distinctive in appearance, aroma and taste,[1] but are similar in many ways to Darjeeling tea, which is produced over the border in India.
There are six major districts, primarily in the eastern regions of Nepal that are known for producing quality orthodox tea, which are Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Terhathum, Sindhulpalchok and Kaski.
However, the flushes do not begin and end in accordance with that of the orthodox tea, mainly because of differences in local conditions.
Unlike India, the policies helped Nepal retain its national independence from the British colonial rule, but isolated it from modernization and economic development.
The reason for the setback of the Nepal's young tea industry was mainly due to political turmoil and resulting economic policies of that period, under the reign of the Rana Dynasty.
As a result, today the small and marginal farmers constitute the majority percentage share in Nepal's tea industry.
At present, Nepal produces approximately 16.29 million kilograms of tea per annum on an area of 16,718 hectares.
Tea is taken as self-dependent cash crop in agroforestry practice and is found as the most important example of the long term sustainable farming.
[12] The main tea producing regions in Nepal are Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Terhathum with newly involved regions being Kaski, Dolakha, Kavre, Sindhupalchok, Bhojpur, Solukhumbu and Nuwakot, with a goal of increasing the total tea production in Nepal.
[13] Nepal's teas are mainly exported to India, Pakistan, Australia, Germany, France, Poland the Netherlands, Japan, Belgium and the United States of America.
The main objective of the Code of Conduct was to increase the standards of Nepalese orthodox tea to an international level.
The main principles of the Code of Conduct are:-[14] Farmers are now supported by the National Tea and Coffee Development Board created by the Nepalese Ministry of Agriculture.
[8] In Nepal, the Eastern mountainous regions host most of the orthodox (as opposed to crush, tear and curl) tea crops at altitudes approximating 3000–7000 feet above sea level.
[8] Nepal has six districts in which Orthodox tea is produced; Ilam, Dhankuta, Kaski, Terhathum, Sindhupalchok, and Panchthar.
[17] The United States Department of International Development recommended increasing the productivity of tea cultivation in Nepal by updating the out of date machinery that most processing factories currently use.
[18] Other interventions proposed include the introduction of motorized pruning devices to reduce labour and increase productivity with respect to time.
The switch from traditional farming to cash cropping has reduced poverty rates among small holder farmers in tea growing.
[8] Thus, in order for Nepali farmers and producers of orthodox tea to make the most money from this crop there is a need to export to countries like the USA who pay premium prices for the product.
This area is known for its rich biodiversity and the specific climatic conditions that are ideal for growing the Chinese variety of the Camellia sinensis tea plant.
[20] Unique Selling Propositions of Ilam Tea Ilam teas are noted for their unique flavor profile, which includes a slightly nutty and floral taste with a hint of sweetness that enhances their appeal compared to the more traditional Darjeeling flavors.
This not only ensures a cleaner, safer end product but also aligns with the increasing global consumer preference for sustainable and ethically produced goods.
