Coonoor India Let's wist T again! T he Nilgiris have long been renowned for producing quality orthodox teas. In recent years, the large volume of CTC teas produced by small growers in this region have somewhat overtaken the image of the Nilgiris as an origin for orthodox teas. The reality is that medium to large estates and plantation companies in this region have stayed true to tradition and have continued to make orthodox whole leaf teas. In fact, the plantations have consistently upgraded their systems of cultivation and processing, have invested in new machinery, and now have the capability to produce a range of specialty teas to satisfy the most discerning customers worldwide. The Association has so far organized three Specialty Tea Auctions successfully. While two of the auctions were held at Coonoor, Nilgiris, one auction was conducted at Las Vegas, United States of America. Nilgiri Winter Specialty Tea Auction 2013, being organized by the Nilgiri Planters’ Association is a co-ordinated effort to show-case the best of Nilgiri Orthodox teas. This Specialty Tea Auction presents a rare opportunity to buy the finest selections from NPA Member Estates. This specialty tea auction is to be conducted on the E-Auction Platform of Tea Board of India at the auction halls of the Coonoor Tea Trade Association. As a buyer this is a unique opportunity to make your presence felt . We welcome your participation. Thanking you, Suresh Jacob Chairman – NPA A Historic ea Origin T o John Sullivan, then Collector of Testate was Nonsuch, where sixty acres was planted Coimbatore, goes the credit of establishing in the 1860s. a “hill station” at Ootacamund in 1820, the For a while, coffee planting took precedence in the first British settlement in the Nilgiri Hills. Nilgiris, green coffee being the only produce that In 1832, Assistant Surgeon, Christie, could be moved out without spoiling. Thereafter, ordered some tea plants from China, bugs, borers, leaf rust and price fluctuations took noticing that the “Camellia”, which closely their toll on coffee cultivation, while significant resembles tea, grew well on the Nilgiris. advances in tea manufacture led to a number of However, before they could arrive, he died. factories being set up in the district, leading to an Later in 1835 some of these plants were expansion in tea acreage between 1904 and 1911. successfully nurtured at an experimental A combination of several factors – elevation, climate farm at Ketti. and soil has contributed to the Nilgiris being naturally conducive for tea cultivation. Tea has On a commercial scale, the first tea estate proved a winner in these hills, with a major increase was established at Coonoor by Mr. Mann, in acreage during the 1980s, much of it in small who had procured a good supply of high holdings. NPA members cultivate 6720 hectares and quality tea seeds from China. Thiashola was produce 20 million kg of made tea per annum opened in 1859, and around the same time primarily orthodox. Dunsandle was opened near Kalhatty by Mr Rae. In the Kotagiri area, the first estate was A significant proportion of NPA member estates are opened around 1863. Another early tea planted with clonal tea. extent of about 25 miles. The plateau is broken up by several district ranges of hills, the Dodabetta and Kundah ranges being the best known. There are several pretty streams and rivers lacing the plateau, all of them draining into the Cauvery, the mighty The river of peninsular India. Tea carpets the hills at elevations ranging ilgiris between 1158 metres and 2400 metres. Some of the highest yielding estates in N India, and perhaps in the world, are situated Planting District in this district. Although most parts of the Nilgiris get only 100 cm / 120 cm of rainfall per annum, it is generally well distributed, allowing for good crops round the year. The Nilgiris, quite literally meaning 'Blue Mountains', are one of the most spectacular This region gets both the South-West and ranges in the Western Ghats of India, and the the North-East monsoon, which impart geographic origin of ‘Nilgiri (Orthodox) tea’. distinct flavors in different months. In South India, tea is plucked throughout the year, The Nilgiris form the heart of plantation unlike North India where production shuts country in South India. The Nilgiri plateau down during the winter months of averages an altitude of about 1980 metres, December through February. So Nilgiri with an east-west length of about 40 miles as specialty producers can ensure a steady it links the two Ghat ranges, and a north-south and continuous supply. delicately fragrant and bright teas. In tea tasting terms, they are steady and dependable, pointy liquor with good colour. Nilgiri teas have an intrinsic quality; they do not cloud, and yet consistently maintain a stable and vivid colour that makes them perfect for ready-to-drink formats. The natural flavor blends easily with other fruits, scents and flavourings. The Nilgiris constitute a veritable supermarket of teas. High-end estates offer delicate orthodox teas for ilgiris T a select clients while stronger CTC teas are also e available. N Brisk, Bright, Tracing these rare teas comes easy in the Nilgiris. Fragrant and Ethical NPA members operate heritage estates with consistently high standards of cultivation and manufacture – many are now ISO-certified with HACCP in place. Most estates have a tea factory on N ilgiri orthodox teas have traditionally been site, along with tea tasting facilities. Social considered important in blends. infrastructure is visible in schools, hospitals, rural In recent years, NPA members have progressively telecom and post offices. NPA member estates moved into Specialty Tea. The range includes high- adhere to local laws that ensure good wages, value black tea, certified organic tea, golden tips, silver perquisites, workers' rights and job security. 'Fair tips, white teas, green teas, oolongs and winter teas. trade' is implicit in the system. Sourcing premium tea Teas of such high quality they rate as 'self drinking' from an NPA member comes with the assurance of teas, worthy of 'single origin' distinction.Characterized sound social and environment friendly processes. by high altitude and low rainfall, the Nilgiris yield and will conform to minimum standards of tea prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, Ethical Assurance Standards and Hygiene and Safety Standards. N.B. The NPA certification mark is currently in the process of being registered under the Trade Marks Act. Registration under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and The NPA Protection) Act, 1999 :- Registration under the Geographical Certification Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 is an authenticity for the origin of the goods from a specific rademark geographical region and the possessing of the qualities or reputation that are due to the The Nilgiri Planters’ Association (NPA) was The Nilgiri tahr is one of the most unique animals place of origin. T founded in 1891. It is a registered TOrganisation in the world, found only in the Western Ghats of The “Nilgiri (Orthodox) ” tea has been under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, India. Also called Ibex, the Nilgiri tahr is a stocky accorded registration under the Geographical 1978. The Plantations of the members of NPA goat, with distinctive horns. Listed as an Indications of Goods (Registration and spread over the four taluks (counties) of the Endangered species in the IUCN Red List of Protection) Act, 1999 by the GI Registry of Nilgiris, namely Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Threatened Mammals, this unique animal has Government of India . The Tea Board of India Kundah.The certification trademark of the Nilgiri received extensive protection in recent years, is the Registered Proprietor of the Planters' Association (NPA) has special and the numbers are on the rise. geographical indication. significance. The distinctive graphic incorporates The NPA certification mark pays homage to this The Member Estates of the Nilgiri Planters three symbolic elements: shy and elusive animal. Nilgiri tea is as unique as Association (NPA) are located in the l Mountains, to connote the Nilgiri 'Blue this animal; much as the tahr is rare, sighted only geographical indication region in respect of Mountains', the section of the Western Ghats by dedicated wildlife enthusiasts, so also the “Nilgiri (Orthodox)” Tea. The Orthodox Teas of India which is the geographic origin of special qualities of Nilgiri orthodox tea are that are produced by them has the delicate Nilgiri tea; appreciated only by true connoisseurs. fragrance with high grown quality and bright & l Two leaves and a bud, the standard for Members of the Association who are permitted brisk liquor typical to the orthodox teas hand-picked tea the use of the NPA logo ensure adherence to the produced in the Nilgiri geographical indication region in South India. l prescribed guidelines of Good Manufacturing and The Nilgiri tahr in silhouette. Quality Standards, maximum residue limits of certain pesticides related to tea as per EU norms Estate embers’ M Profile ADDERLEY ESTATE ALLADA VALLEY Elevation : 1700 Metres Elevation : 1800 metres Area : 75.50 Ha Production : 6,50,000 kg/per annum Production : 2.5 lakhs kgs/per annum Adderley Estate Ltd, a unit of Glenworth Estates Ltd, has Allada Valley – is a part of The United Nilgiri Tea Estates Co. received 6 Tea Board Awards for recording the highest yield in Ltd. Produces Orthodox and Specialty Teas. An authorized tea the category of estates without a factory. source for users of Fair Trade Label. Teas are presently exported to U.K., Europe, U.S.A., Canada, Australia and Adderley Estate is committed to the conservation and Japan. preservation of ecosystem and environment & has been certified for ISO: 9001:2008, ISO: 22000:2005, Rainforest The estate is certified by Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade Alliance & ETP.