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Hookhmol combines three plantations in the Rajgarh area of Dibrugarh, the New Kailaashpur tea estate at Tengakhat, Dibrugarh, and Nagajanka Tea Estate at Mariani.
Guwahati: A line of Assam tea recently sold for Rs 1506, marking the best-ever price fetched in auctions. This significant milestone underscores the excellence of Assam tea, particularly during the second flush season when its quality peaks.
The mark from Assam—Hookhmol—reached this unprecedented price at the Calcutta auctions, showcasing the unmatched quality of Assam tea. This sale set a new record for CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) tea in India, surpassing the previous best of Rs 1151 by Indong estate from Dooars in Siliguri auctions a few years back.
"I am surprised, obviously, to get such a price. It's unbelievable," said Bhaskar Hazarika of Hookhmol to EastMojo. The tea was sold by Assam Tea Brokers and bought by Asian Tea Corporation.
Hookhmol combines three plantations in the Rajgarh area of Dibrugarh, the New Kailaashpur tea estate at Tengakhat, Dibrugarh, and Nagajanka Tea Estate at Mariani. "We bring the leaf of all three plantations to our factory at Diksam block, Dibrugarh, and manufacture Hookhmol there. Hookhmol is a mark basically," Bhaskar Hazarika explained.
The name Hookhmol honors Hazarika's great-grandfather, Hookhmol Bokolial, who inspired his father with his hard work and self-made success. Assam tea, particularly its second flush which comes in May-June, is known for its boldness, robustness, rich taste, and bright liquors.
"I got a hint that the tea was very good when my tasters told me they hadn't tasted anything like it this year. This made me happy," Hazarika said.
In a recent auction, another invoice of Hookhmol sold for Rs 1111.
Making Great Tea
Experts emphasize that a perfect cup of tea requires many factors to converge. The primary factor is the plant from which the leaves are harvested, encompassing the type of tea plant and its health. While different tea types have unique characteristics, the health of the plant is crucial for quality.
"It all boils down to the quality of the leaf and plucking," said an industry expert. Harvesting is an art where experienced tea pluckers skillfully select only the finest, most potent leaves.
"We have to go back to the basics, focusing on quality over quantity. Quality is made in the fields through various field and agronomic practices," another expert noted.
Ben Ahmed of Assam Tea Brokers highlighted that Hookhmol teas are traditional Assam cup teas known for their boldness, robustness, rich taste, and bright liquors. Other factors contributing to great tea include land, farm management, weather, tea-making skills, and methodology. Attention to these factors ensures quality.
Can Such Prices Happen Again?
"It is difficult to say as there are various factors behind making good quality tea. Tea making is an art," Hazarika said.
Nirmal Goyal of Asian Tea Corporation, who bought the tea, affirmed its exceptional attributes. "One doesn't get such tea always. These kinds of teas can be retained for a year or so, which shows their quality."
The tea bought for Rs 1506 is intended for the local market, not for exports. "A cup of tea is being sold for Rs 1000 at some niche tea shops in the country. There is a demand for good tea these days," Goyal added.
Can everyone achieve such prices? "Everyone can't be Sachin Tendulkar," said a tea producer, highlighting the unique nature of Hookhmol's achievement.
Despite this success, financial woes continue to afflict India's tea producers amid flat or falling prices and rising costs. The cost of vital inputs has increased, but prices have not risen proportionately, and wages of tea garden workers have gone up, adding to the producers' challenges.
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