Meeting with small farmers from Fikkal area.
Nepal Tea Tasting
“This is Mr. Saran Rai, head teamaker of Arya Tara Garden, meet him.” Smiles, handshakes, and surprisingly right away, a group selfie. I’m very happy, this gentleman makes some of the best teas in all of Nepal. Teas we’ve been buying from him for about 15 years. There will be many more of these quick encounters over the next two or three hours. A few words, never missing smiles, often a photo together and we move on.
The English is usually very tentative and we don’t go too deep in conversation. Luckily we have a long line of teas in tasting sets ahead of us. The line brings us together. We just smell and taste, and then when our eyes meet, it’s clear we understand each other. Again, the same thought comes to mind: ‘It is necessary to come for a longer time. We have so much to share.”
Tasting with a view
The meeting with local farmers was filled with a friendly atmosphere, breathtaking views of the beautiful Nepalese landscape and dozens of samples of delicious spring teas. The meeting and subsequent tasting took place on the terrace of a local tavern overlooking a vast valley with tea plantations and picturesque groves. Someone arrives by scooter, someone by jeep. The tea masters are gradually coming together. They unpack tea samples and tasting kits from their bags and backpacks. Suddenly there’s a row of about 20 sets on a long table. Even that won’t be enough, we’ll go several rounds.
Nepal Tea Slopes
There’s an incredibly friendly exchange going on around us. Everyone is looking at each other’s tea samples and commenting. There’s not a sign of rancor or rivalry anywhere. “This tea should go in the dryer once again. Don’t you have one? Bring it to us to dry.”
I’d guess the average age of participants is around 30. Yet, these are no rookies. Everyone has at least a decade of experience in tea production. Many grew up in gardens. Many are members of prominent growing families. It’s great that they’re getting the opportunity. A new generation of Nepali tea masters.
The job we love
Spring picking season is in full swing and we have the best teas from the surrounding hillsides on the table in front of us. And we taste them together with the people who grew and created them. It’s an extraordinary situation. Some of the best moments of our work. Here, too, we have finally selected two teas for our range. Some of the participants are gradually disappearing. We leave with the others for dinner together, which turns into quite a party. We return to the hotel late at night. The next day we have to travel further down the valley. So another eight, nine hours in the jeep. Tea travel is one of the best kinds.
The tasting was attended by representatives from Arya Tara, Norling, La Mandala, Seti Devi, Organic Nepal, Mai Tea, Maibeni Tea, Lalipma Speciality Tea and Farmers Tea.
Dan Klásek and John Taylor
