From the Kolkata tea auction centre, renowned tea brand Golden Tips purchased moonlight teas from Badamtam and Castleton tea estates at record prices of Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 12,000 per kg, respectively.
Badamtam and Castleton produce small batches of moonlight teas every season due to the scarce availability of tender buds and tea leaves.
The grades of these moonlight teas are of the highest quality, and the plucking process is very fine. Only the silvery blooming buds and the two leaves are used to make this specialty tea. Folklore has it that these teas are plucked by skilled pluckers only during the full moon nights and processed into tea before the break of dawn.
To boost production of quality teas and highlight premium Darjeeling and Assam teas, the Tea Board came up with an innovative circular last month under which tea plantations did a special plucking on May 21, on the occasion of International Tea Day. The tea producers were instructed to mention in the lots that the leaves were plucked on this “Special Day”.
The auction of these teas was carried out electronically at different auction centres in the country today, June 20th, 2022.
Made from AV2 clonal tea leaves, these moonlight teas manifest excellent tea leaf texture, smooth taste, and a floral aroma that is absolutely unique. The decision of the Tea Board to promote quality Darjeeling and Assam teas by ensuring plucking on May 21st and subsequent auction on June 20th on the occasion of International Tea Day imparts special significance to these teas and the auction process.