THE GOLDEN LEAF INDIA AWARDS: SOUTHERN TEA COMPETITION
The Golden Leaf India Awards: Southern Tea Competition (hereafter TGLIA) is a first ever structured tea quality competition to be organized anywhere in the world and a classic case of public-private initiative. In a span of nineteen years, TGLIA has craved a special niche in the tea world for championing the efforts towards quality renaissance.
The Golden Leaf India Awards: Southern Tea Competition (TGLIA), started its journey in 2005 showcasing the quality profile of South Indian tea has successfully completed 19 years. TGLIA a classic public-private initiative by Tea Board of India and the United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI) has generated much enthusiasm among producers who have realized their potential to produce teas which could be internationally benchmarked. TGLIA has provided a platform to the producer for being recognized not only in the marketplace but also for instilling a competitive spirit among the peers to excel in quality.
BACKGROUND
TGLIA highlights various tea growing regions in South India and the teas from these regions present a unique expression of the agro-climatic diversity. Over the last 19 years the competition has strategically developed the South Indian Tea brand highlighting its regional attributes. This has received strong welcome and accolades from discerning tea connoisseurs. The aromatic Nilgiris, the fragrant High Ranges, the floral Anamallais, the brisk Wayanad, the full-bodied Travancore and the balanced Karnataka are known and appreciated as representing the interesting facets of South Indian Teas. TGLIA, the first-ever organized tea tasting quality competition held anywhere in the world is appreciated for its metrics -content and methodology, in particular.
TGLIA Logo
The South Indian tea industry has put in substantial efforts towards enhancing the quality profile of the teas by reformatting field practices, re-engineering factory processes and by restructuring business policies. Recognizing the need for an appropriate positioning of the quality attributes of South India teas in both national and international markets – the Tea Board of India and the United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI) jointly had conducted nineteen editions of the competition during 2005, 2013 and 2024 in Coonoor, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 & 2023 at Dubai, 2007, 2009 & 2017 in Kochi, 2011 in Coimbatore, 2015 in Mumbai and 2019 in Ahmedabad. The 2020 & 2021 editions were held remotely in light of the COVID Pandemic. The competition was well received and there was a unanimous opinion among the jury about the quality improvement from the region.
OBJECTIVES
The competition attempts to unfold the hidden vistas of quality characteristics of South Indian tea, from being one that fits into a mass market category to a position of exclusivity where it has strived hard to belong to. Equally, as mentioned, the competition showcases the different agro-climatic origins of South Indian teas, each with a distinctive quality attribute and each bearing the tradition of a unique ecosystem. Apart from position the quality of the product per se the competition portrays the quality of social and natural capital of this important agro-industry. Possessing arguably the best Human Capital for any community, this industry can easily stake a claim to be the most ethical source for world teas.
METHODOLOGY
- The format and protocol for the competition is exhaustively detail so as to ensure total transparency and de-mutualization. The process of selecting the best teas from various agro-climatic regions was based on a multi-layer screening process using a scoring system that captures the various quality attributes of tea in an objective manner. The unique scoring system has received so many accolades from the industry circles and the scoring sheet is copyrighted. A panel of national and international judges comprising eminent experts in the field is involved in the screening and selection of teas. Competing teas are also screened for pesticide residue parameters and heavy metals.
- A back up quantity of 150 kgs for Organic Leaf grades, 250 kgs for Orthodox Leaf grades and Green Tea Leaf grades and 500 kgs for all other categories is a pre-requisite to ensure that these represent a commercially viable critical mass, as different from specialty teas.
- Samples are physically drawn from the backup quantities by the scientists of the UPASI Tea Research Foundation. Six samples are collected for each entry, which are sealed, coded and recoded by the Director, UPASI Tea Research Foundation, using random number methodology, to ensure total confidentiality. The collection of samples as well as infusing of cups for tasting is done in accordance with ISO standards. All samples are tested at the UPASI-TRF Labs for conforming to the MRL norms. Importantly, all the teas have passed the minimum pesticide residue levels prescribed under stringent norms of EU.
- The evaluation is based on a scoring methodology which assigns scores on a scale of 0 to 10 for the various quality attributes such as dry leaf appearance, infused or spent leaf appearance, liquor attributes such as colour, aroma, briskness and strength.
REGIONS AND THEIR TEAS
South Indian tea areas situated south of the Sahyadris, along the Western Ghats, enjoy both the Southwest and Northeast monsoons. South India produces a wide range of teas from its distinct and diverse agro-climatic zones each differentiated by divergent altitudes above mean sea level, ranging from 750 to 2100 m, diverse soil and climatic conditions Broadly, there are six tea-growing regions in South India, viz. Anamallais, High Ranges, Travancore, Wayanad and the other regions comprising Karnataka, Nelliampathy, Madurai, Singampatti, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari.
OTHER REGIONS
Other Minor Tea producing regions include - Nelliampathy, Kanyakumari, Singampatti, Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam in Kerala.
BOUGHT LEAF SECTOR
While much of the industry is managed by corporate bodies, as much as 35 per cent of South Indian teas are produced by small holders, who are beginning to play a vital role in the industry. These teas are manufactured by the bought leaf factories many of whom have shown admirable zeal to produce quality teas.
ORGANIC TEAS & GREEN TEAS
South India is one of the pioneers in organic tea production. The first estate in South India converted to organic tea as early as in 1988 and since then there has been no going back. Organic and biodynamic tea gardens thrive in the tea areas of Nilgiris, High Ranges, Anamallais, Travancore, Nelliampathies and Singampatti.
ORGANISERS
The United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI)
UPASI, set up in 1893, is the premier organization of growers of tea, coffee, rubber and spices in south India.
UPASI has in its fold 925 members with a total membership area of around 90,000 hectares under various plantation crops. The UPASI tea membership accounts for 45,000 hectares with a production of nearly 115 million kg. The District and State Planters Associations of south India are affiliated to UPASI and its areas of operations include commodity analysis, scientific research, industrial relations, public interface, etc.
Tea Board of India
Established in 1953 by an Act of Parliament, Tea Board, is an independent body under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. Headquartered at Kolkata, the Board supports development and promotion of tea industry in India besides being responsible for the implementation of the Government's trade regulations and policies.
The Board, whose Chairman is appointed by the Government of India, comprises representatives of tea industry, trade, labour and state governments of tea growing regions. The Board also promotes tea research and exports of tea worldwide, collects and disseminates statistical data as well as encourages labour welfare programmes all aimed to help, develop the Indian tea industry and ensure the health and vibrancy of the world's largest producer of black tea, India
