Guwahati: Tea is one of the most popular beverages in Assam for obvious reasons. People from all walks of life, irrespective of age, social status, or gender, consider this sip an irresistible treat and hence, it is considered appropriate for guests. These days, people here are taking it a step further - they welcome guests to their homes with blended tea. These varieties, though costlier than the regular kind, are being increasingly regarded as a status symbol in Assamese society.

Amid ongoing experimentation, colourful and aromatic blends such as blue tea, green tea, masala tea, king chilly tea, hibiscus tea, rose tea, purple tea, and chamomile tea, are finding greater acceptance among the masses.

Business North East recently caught up with Ranjit Barua, the Director of 'Aromica' to understand more about this ongoing phenomenon. "Blended tea has been in Assam for a long time. However, we were the first to understand its potential and start in a full-fledged way", Baruah shared at the very outset of the interview.

Baruah said that these blends have become popular "not only for the look and taste  but also for its health benefits." Aromica, launched in 2018, currently sells 52 varieties of blended tea.

"Apart from selling in Assam and across the country, we are also exporting tea to several countries including Australia, Japan, Abu Dhabi, France, Canada, and the United Kingdom", Baruah stated, adding that people in foreign nations are also inculcating a taste for these special tea blends.

'Swarna Panam' from Aromica, a blend infused with edible 24-carat gold flakes, was once gifted by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to  Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This specialty tea gifted to the Prime Minister contained gold flakes brought from France by Ranjit Baruah himself. "It was 24-carat edible gold that tasted like honey. The price of one kilogram is about Rs 2.5 lakh", he recalled, adding that the tea was a creation that embodied "luxury and innovation."

To understand the history of blended tea, one has to go back to ancient China. The Chinese, it appears, have been concocting tea blends for 2,500 years. The first book on tea, 'The Classic of Tea', by Lu Yu published around 760 A.D. talks of many items (mostly herbs and medicinals) that can be blended with tea. Two of the most famous tea blends, jasmine tea and earl grey tea, go back hundreds of years.

Over the years, several other tea blends have found acceptance among the masses.

Blue tea is an herbal infusion made from butterfly pea flowers, which are rich in anthocyanins. Anthocyanins give the tea its bright blue color and medicinal properties. On the other hand, green, black, and oolong teas all come from the same plant, camellia sinensis, but are prepared using different methods. To produce green tea leaves from the plant are steamed, pan-fried, and dried. These varieties are known for their health benefits.

Rose tea, made from the petals and buds of the rose bush, is naturally caffeine-free. Masala tea, a rage among youngsters, is a blend of an array of spices that carry loads of benefits. Purple tea is a rare type of tea made from purple leaves sourced from Kenya.

The list of tea blends is quite long. Which one is your favourite?

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