Tea Board India has warned that necessary action will be taken tea manufacturers who dont follow the directive on plucking dates.

The Board has said the last date for recieving of green leaves for all tea factories in Assam and Northeast except Barak Valley of Assam is December 10.

For units in Cachar Valley, it is December 17.

The Board said necessary action will be taken as per clause 5(1) (d) of the Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003.

The Board said the decision has been taken in consultation with experts as after onset of winter dormancy in tea bush results in tea that lacks the quality as prescribed under the Food Safety and Standard( Food Products Standard and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 and does not adhere to the definition of tea as stipulated under the Tea Act, 1953.

It has said such bad quality tea produced in violation of the FSSAI norms in winter has caused considerable damage to the name and reputation of Indian tea among customers. Indian tea is known for its quality, flavour, aroma, briskness and creamy mouth and presence of sucb bad quality tea has become an impediment in increasing export" the board said.

There have been numerous complaints against bad tea quality by foreign buyers which has hit the image of Indian tea. The Board has sent letters to tea industry time and again reminding them of the steps to be taken for good quality tea to help it fetch good prices.

The Board has said exporters are advised to test each consignments against the MRL( Maximum Residue Level) of the importing country as well as Indian standard before export and only such teas which conform to the MRL of the importing country as well as FSSAI regulations.

There are four harvest periods for tea in the country — first flush, second flush, rain flush and autumn flush.

Leaves plucked during the first flush are the youngest and the most tender part of the tea plant and are said to yield the purest and freshest cup of tea that the plant is capable of producing.

The first flush from March to April is the first plucking after the dormant winter months. The leaves are tender and light green. The liquor is light, clear and bright with a pleasant and brisk flavour.

Assam tea is generally known for the second flush, which comes in May-June and is characterised by its boldness and robustness and is topped with classic flavours of malt and woody astringency. It is valued for its rich taste, bright liquors and are considered to be one of the choicest teas in the world.

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