Makaibari Tea Estate - India
While in India last year, Tony and I had the wonderful luck to stay in Kurseong at the foot of Darjeeling, with the Christian Brothers. Fresh mountain air with incredible views, we didn't think it could get much better, until we were told about a biodynamic tea estate in the area owned by an eccentric man.
No sooner had we arrived at the estate and started our tour of the tea processing factory, when a man in a Safari suit complete with a bullet belt around his waist and boots pulled up over his trousers introduced himself as Rajah Banerjee, the owner of Makaibari Tea. It is difficult not to be enthused by a man who has such deep passion not only for tea but also for the environment and the welfare of his workers. (His additional liking for Safari suits is merely an entertaining bonus!).
The tour was followed by a tea tasting session with Rajah Banerjee, in which we were instructed to really suck the tea in (very noisily) and while my ladylike nature prevented me from completely immersing myself in this experience, Tony seemed to really enjoy it. Must be a boy thing!
Rahjah Banerjee prides himself on the return of full eco-systems to the Estate due to the nurturing nature of their production practices, gentle picking and complete avoidance of any synthetic pesticides. They have seen the return of species that have been absent from the area for decades and the arrival of some never before documented species such as the TEA DEVA, an insect that looks just like a tea leaf but has legs!
The world is a small place. At the Organic Expo, in July this year, we met the lovely team from Hampstead Organic Teas, who promptly told us that their wonderful tea is from the Makaibari Estate!
One word of advice for new players.........if you ever get the chance to visit Makaibari, do, but don't ask for milk in your tea...I did and apparently it is like asking for Cola with the best Scotch!
No sooner had we arrived at the estate and started our tour of the tea processing factory, when a man in a Safari suit complete with a bullet belt around his waist and boots pulled up over his trousers introduced himself as Rajah Banerjee, the owner of Makaibari Tea. It is difficult not to be enthused by a man who has such deep passion not only for tea but also for the environment and the welfare of his workers. (His additional liking for Safari suits is merely an entertaining bonus!).
The tour was followed by a tea tasting session with Rajah Banerjee, in which we were instructed to really suck the tea in (very noisily) and while my ladylike nature prevented me from completely immersing myself in this experience, Tony seemed to really enjoy it. Must be a boy thing!
Rahjah Banerjee prides himself on the return of full eco-systems to the Estate due to the nurturing nature of their production practices, gentle picking and complete avoidance of any synthetic pesticides. They have seen the return of species that have been absent from the area for decades and the arrival of some never before documented species such as the TEA DEVA, an insect that looks just like a tea leaf but has legs!
The world is a small place. At the Organic Expo, in July this year, we met the lovely team from Hampstead Organic Teas, who promptly told us that their wonderful tea is from the Makaibari Estate!
One word of advice for new players.........if you ever get the chance to visit Makaibari, do, but don't ask for milk in your tea...I did and apparently it is like asking for Cola with the best Scotch!
posted by Gina Cacho | 6:25 AM
1 Comments:
Mr. Rajah Bannerjee, a man that looks at the other side of a situation and thinks probably from another part of his brain. A pioneer in Organic production in India, a man with love for all who work for him, a man who's vision has made his garden the best tea garden in the world. Darjeeling is synonomous with Makaibari in many parts of the world when it comes to tea.
You were lucky to meet this gentleman and i am glad that you posted such an awesome article. It is intresting and fun to read.
Have a great day
Ankit Lochan
www.lochantea.com
www.doketea.com
www.indusfoundation.com
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