Tea

“In friendship and love, at work and chat, Tea is everywhere”

Tea is the most popular drink worldwide. From the poor men’s cottage to rich men’s mansion, tea has had an irresistible influence. It refreshes us and gives us energy. The quality of tea produced in Bangladesh is world renowned. A total of 158 tea states and 145 tea factories are available in the country. Tea produced in Sylhet region of Bangladesh is world famous.  Due to the demand of this tea in home and abroad, its production is very high.  Bangladesh is the seventh largest tea producing country in the world.  The tea of ​​this country is exported to the world including United Kingdom, USA, Russia, Netherlands, Japan, Pakistan etc. 70% of the total tea produced in Bangladesh is Black tea, 25% green Tea and 5% consisted of oolong tea. There are various name of tea , tea brands and tea producing companies in Bangladesh, few of them are highlighted below:

 Main Types of Tea

 Green tea (i.e.) unfermented tea

Green tea is derived solely and exclusively, and produced by acceptable processes, notably enzyme inactivation and commonly rolling or comminution, followed by drying, from the tender leaves, buds, and shoots of varieties of the species Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, known to be suitable for making tea for consumption as a beverage. Green tea, called non-fermented tea has a more subtle, delicate flavour, and far less caffeine than fermented tea, is medicinally beneficial because the non-fermented leaves retain a higher concentration of natural vitamins and polyphenols than fermented counterparts.

 Black tea (i.e.) fully fermented tea

Black tea is a type of tea that is more oxidized than oolong, green and white teas. Black tea is generally stronger in flavor than the less oxidized teas. Two principal varieties of the species are used – the small-leaved Chinese variety plant (C. sinensis subsp.sinensis), used for most other types of teas, and the large-leaved Assamese plant (C. sinensis subsp. assamica), which was traditionally mainly used for black tea, although in recent years some green and white have been produced.

 Oolong tea (i.e.) partially fermented tea

Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea produced through a unique process including withering the plant under the strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting. Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea especially good for digestion, is advised to take after a large meal. The chemical compositions counted in semi-fermented oolong tea are in the ranges of non-fermented green tea to fully fermented black tea. Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality, involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively used for particular varieties. Oolong is especially popular with tea connoisseurs of south China and Chinese expatriates in Southeast Asia.

 Instant tea (i.e.) water soluble tea

In recent times, “instant teas” are becoming popular, similar to freeze-dried instant coffee. Similar products also exist for instant iced tea, due to the convenience of not requiring boiling water. Instant tea was developed in the 1930s, but not commercialised until later. Nestlé introduced the first instant tea in 1946, while Redi-Tea introduced the first instant iced tea in 1953. These products often come with added flavours, such aschai, vanilla, honey or fruit, and may also contain powdered milk. Tea connoisseurs tend to criticise these products for sacrificing the delicacies of tea flavour in exchange for convenience.

 White tea

White tea is a lightly oxidized tea grown and harvested primarily in China, mostly in the Fujian and Zhejiang province. More recently it is grown in Taiwan, India, Northern Thailand and Eastern Nepal. White tea comes from the buds and leaves of the Chinese Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves and buds are allowed to wither in natural sunlight before they are lightly processed to prevent oxidation or further tea processing. The name “white tea” derives from the fine silvery-white hairs on the unopened buds of the tea plant, which gives the plant a whitish appearance. The beverage itself is not white or colourless but pale yellow.

(Source:http://www.teaboard.gov.bd/site/page/f54fe268-0496-4764-9428-397a7c53ec6d/-)

Top 10 Brands/Companies of Bangladesh

1. KK (Kazi & Kazi Tea) 

Kazi & Kazi Tea is a well-known tea brand in Bangladesh that produces internationally-certified organic tea. They Produced: Tulsi Tea, Green Tea, Ginger Tea, Black Tea, Green Mint Tea, Jasmine green tea, Lemon Grass tea, and Oolong tea.

2. Duncan Tea

Duncan Tea is one of the best tea brands in Bangladesh that has been producing tea for over 150 years. The company’s tea gardens are located in the Sylhet region, which is known for producing some of the finest tea leaves in the world. Duncan Tea produces a range of teas, including black, green, and herbal teas.

3. Ispahani Mirzapore Tea Limited

Ispahani has a long history of providing excellent tea while helping the entire community. It was one of the first tea companies of Bangladesh to supply packaged tea to customers, and it quickly attracted a clientele that preferred higher-end packaging and tea of higher quality. Tea Types Produced: Best leaf tea, Green tea, Black tea, Red dust tea, BOP tea, PD tea.

4. Fresh Premium Tea

Fresh Premium Tea is a popular Bangladeshi tea brand known for its high-quality tea blends. Their teas are carefully crafted to provide a rich and authentic flavor, making them a favorite among tea lovers. Tea Types Produced: Masala tea, Green tea, Dust tea, Tea stall, Churamani Dust,

5. Seylon Tea

Seylon tea is produced from the best tea leaves from the finest tea garden. It’s well known for its refreshing infusion & unique test. Tea Types Produced: Churamony dust, Blend tea, Gold Tea, Dust Tea

6.  Finlay

One of the earliest tea brands in Bangladesh is Finlay, which was founded in 1882, at the start of the British era. Tea Types Produced: Masala Cha, Shinrai Japanese Green Tea

7. Tetley ACI

Tata Global Beverages and ACI Limited have formed a joint venture known as Tetley ACI Bangladesh Ltd. (TABL). Tea Types Produced:  Lemon & Honey tea, Herbal Camomile

8. Jafflong Tea Company

They specialize in creating Black Tea of the highest export quality, which is then delivered to the Chittagong tea auction. Tea Types Produced: Green Tea, Black Tea.

9. National Tea Company

The first publicly traded tea brand in Bangladesh, National Tea firm Ltd. The company’s yearly average production is thought to be around 5.2 million kg, and the Chittagong Auction Market is where the majority of its tea goods are marketed. Tea Types Produced: Green Tea

10. HRC

One of the most well-known tea export companies in Bangladesh is HRC. HRC has been exporting its tea goods to a number of nations, including Pakistan, Poland, and Russia, to name a few. HRC mostly concentrates on creating new tea blends. At the moment, they have roughly 13 different tea blends available in a range of sizes.

(Source: https://knowitallbd.com/best-tea-brands-in-bangladesh/)