Xinyang tea forum…

Chandni accompanied me to China this time from 24th April to 8th May 2010. CTMA organized a tea forum at Xinyang on 28th April 2010 where 35 countries participated.

http://www.henanci.com/Pages/2010430845050.shtml

French version of Robert Fortune’s secret tea travels…

Vincent with the help of Nathalie and Barbara is finalising the french version of the booklet, CD of which has also been released by China CCTV now. We plan to circulate this widely to educate the consumers directly. 

Darjeeling Club…

Built in mid nineteenth century by tea planters for tea planters, this club in the landmark building in Darjeeling. Upkeep needs to be done but still a point of pride for us.  

Darjeeling is very dry this year…

We – myself, Nathalie Masset & Ankit – visited four Darjeeling tea gardens – Soureni, Phuguri, Singbulli & Longview – today and found that drought this year has taken a very heavy toll. 

http://chinadaily.cn/china/2010-03/27/content_9651260.htm

Korea is going to be next step…

In Foodex we met and then finally they arrived at our place on 26th March 2010. Korea is developing a taste for Indian black teas.

www.damiso.kr

Lonely planet has mentioned us….

A friend from Russia who was visiting India told us that Lonely Planet guide book about India has mentioned about us in Darjeeling section telling visitors that we impart tea education. Nathalie Masset is first visitor after this discovery. 

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/shop_pickandmix/free_chapters/india-13-index.pdf

Our new partners…

Takashimaya is the largest department store in Japan and we are honoured to be having our teas placed there. Matsuoka san is to be credited for this.

http://www.takashimaya.co.jp/corp/english/index.html

Gyokuro making…

Maejima Tohei san in Okabe is the master Gyokuro maker and we learnt the tea growing and manufacturing from him today with Tatsuo.

www.ochanosato.com

Shimada was wonderful…

Tatsuo & Masa-aki guided me around Fujito tea factory in Kakegawa & tea museum in Shimada alongwith their own tea factory, where their mother makes super expensive hand made green teas called Temomi cha. Japan is the haven of tea. 

www.awantake.com

Foodex 2010 opens with a very hopeful note…

It is a very big event involving food companies from all over the world. Indian embassy, Commerce Ministry, Indian Trade Promotion Organisation & Indian Tea Board are involved in the promotion of Indian goods. We are lucky to be here and are being helped by Lavinia Tea Co. represented by Mr. Matsuoka as well as Sohail bhai of VH Toorabally & Co., Osaka.