After Darjeeling and Assam, Tea board plans GI for Sikkim tea

The Tea board of India is considering a fresh Geographical Indication (GI) label for Sikkim tea. The tea industry is of the view that this move will not only create a new brand identity for this tea and help push it in the export market, but will also help protect the Darjeeling brand.

“We want to put in place a GI tag for all the tea-producing regions and are considering one for Sikkim tea,” deputy chairman at the Tea Board, Arun Kumar Ray told Business Standard, adding that such a move will help each of the tea varieties from Darjeeling, Assam, Dooars, Nilgiris, Kangra and Sikkim establish their own brand identity.

All the major tea regions currently have a GI label and a logo, but the most recognised is Darjeeling, which is used across the globe to certify its authenticity.

The tea from Darjeeling, Sikkim and Nepal are extremely identical in look and aroma and until they are brewed, it is diificult to tell the difference between these three. At times, even tea connoisseurs get confused about quality leaves from these three different regions; and it is here that the problem arises.