Darjeeling tea all set to entice sports lovers at the Beijing Olympics

Darjeeling (West Bengal), July 31 : While Indian sportspersons would compete with the finest sportspersons, during the Beijing Olympics in China, Darjeeling's famous two leaves and a bud would contest with international flavours.

Sports lovers from across the globe converging for the Beijing Olympics will be able to relish the special variety of Darjeeling tea known for its remarkable flavour from Makaibari Tea Estate.

Makaibari Tea Estate is spread out in the hilly slopes of Darjeeling in West Bengal serve the taste buds of guests and participants at the Beijing Olympics.

Makaibari Tea Estate is one of the most reputed tea companies in the world for quality produce and also one among the pioneer tea estates opt for organic techniques.

The company is to supply 333 kilograms of this export quality tea priced at rupees 8,000 per kilogram.

The first lot of the consignment of Makaibari green tea has already been shipped for the Beijing Olympic Games, which is scheduled to take place between August 8 and 24.

No wonder, the management of Makaibari Tea Estate is beaming with a proud smile.

"I thought it was a wonderful enriching experience and satisfying one too because originally all the China tea seeds, saplings were brought to India in Darjeeling and planted about 160-170 years ago and 160-170 years later to send the tea back to China, it was like carrying coal to Newcastle and getting paid a premium for it. So it was thrilling for the entire work force and family of Makaibari Tea Estate," said Rajah Banerjee, owner, Makaibari Tea Estate.

Even the workers contributed their might with utmost enthusiasm since they believed that such an opportunity is a good prospect to expand the business of their estate.

"We are feeling very good. If we work harder, we will get good results. Earlier also, our tea has been sold at good price and in Olympics more people will come from across the world. So the business will prosper. We are very proud of it," said Om Prakash Chettri, a worker, Makaibari Tea Estate.

Spread over a total area of 1,670 acres, Makaibari Tea Estate has earmarked 55 acres exclusively for high quality tea, solely for international market.

For the past two decades, the company has not relied on chemical fertilisers and pesticides to grow tea. Surely, this organic tea has earned another feather to Makaibari Tea Estate's cap. By Pallav Basu

ANI