By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : Assam tea managed to wow Taiwanese with its distinct flavor. Two tea experts from Assam — chief advisory officer, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Pradip Baruah and Raj Barooah of Aideobarie tea garden in Jorhat were invited by National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan. They were invited to help tea become a leverage point between Act East policy of India and New Southbound policy of Taiwan.Packed full of antioxidants, Assam tea not only wins on taste but also on health benefits. Not quite as loaded with antioxidants as green and white tea due to the extensive oxidation process, however benefits such as decreasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and improve blood circulation.Taiwan is famous for its tea which are of three main types: oolong tea, black tea and green tea. The earliest record of tea trees found in Taiwan can be traced back to 1717 in Shui Sha Lian , present-day Yuchi and Puli, Nantou County. Some of the teas retain the island country’s former name, Formosa.Assam tea is a black tea named after the region of its production, Assam, in India. It is also traditionally used in Yunnanprovince in China.Assam tea is manufactured specifically from the plant Camellia sinensis var. assamica(Masters). This tea, most of which is grown at or near sea level, is known for its body, briskness, malty flavour, and strong, bright colour. Assam teas, or blends containing Assam, are often sold as “breakfast” teas. For instance, Irish breakfast tea, a maltier and stronger breakfast tea, consists of small-sized Assam tea leaves. The state of Assam is the world’s largest tea-growing region, lying on either side of the Brahmaputra River, and bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar. This part of India experiences high precipitation; during the monsoon period, as much as 10 to 12 inches (250–300 mm) of rain per day. The daytime temperature rises to about 96.8F (36 °C), creating greenhouse-like conditions of extreme humidity and heat. This tropical climate contributes to Assam’s unique maltytaste, a feature for which this tea is well known. Though Assam generally denotes the distinctive black teas from Assam, the region produces smaller quantities of green and white teas as well with their own distinctive characteristics Historically, Assam has been the second commercial tea production region after southern China, the only two regions in the world with native tea plants.The intervention of the colonising British East India Company was realised through a body of ‘experts’ constituting the Tea Committee (1834) to assess the scientific nature and commercial potential of Assam tea. The adherence of the members of the committee to the Chinese ideal (in terms of the plant and the method of manufacture) led to the importation of Chinese tea makers and Chinese tea seeds to displace the “wild” plant and methods obtained in Assam. After a period, however, a hybridized version of the Chinese and Assam tea plants proved to be more successful in the Assam climate and terrain.Taiwan is known for its mild oolong tea across the globe. Partially oxidised and roasted, it is a variety between green and black teas. Assam is known for its black tea which was showcased at the university by the experts. The university, one of the oldest is a research-led comprehensive university in South District, Taichung, Taiwan. The New Southbound Policy is the initiative of the Taiwan government under President Tsai Ing-wen to enhance cooperation and exchange between Taiwan and 18 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australasia. Barooah said Chien-teh Chen of the department of agronomy at the National Chung Hsing University who tasted Assam tea said he was impressed by the potential and was amazed to see the kind of flavours. Barooah, who has launched Rujani brand, displayed 15 varieties of teas. Teh Chen is coming to Assam soon. The entire programme is under the umbrella of India-Taiwan Cooperation Programme and involves people-to-people and industry-to-industry contacts, reports The Telegraph. Baruah, a tea researcher and chief advisory officer of the Tocklai institute, explained about Assam tea and types of teas produced. The teas were displayed on a gamocha to help students and faculty members of the Taiwanese university to connect with the culture of the state.Taiwan is famous for its tea which are of three main types: oolong tea, black tea and green tea. The earliest record of tea trees found in Taiwan can be traced back to 1717 in Shui Sha Lian, present-day Yuchi and Puli, Nantou County. Some of the teas retain the island country’s former name, Formosa.