GUWAHATI: Assam tea, globally celebrated for its aroma and exquisite taste, is set to don a new avatar – in the realm of wine. A Guwahati-based entrepreneur, Alpana Saikia, is primed to unveil the state’s inaugural tea wine, an innovation crafted from the state’s iconic tea leaves.
Described to possess a tantalising blend of refreshing and fruity flavours, this tea wine, Saikia claims, is tribute to both the therapeutic properties of tea and the worldwide reverence for wine.
“By amalgamating tea and wine, two beverages cherished across time and age, we are introducing an elixir that celebrates the virtues of both,” she told the local press.
Saikia’s journey in crafting the wine has spanned several years, a testament to her dedication. The process involved fermenting a harmonious blend of Assam tea leaves and a specialised yeast culture for weeks, followed by an aging period to fine-tune its flavour and richness.
However, Saikia’s endeavour isn’t the first time tea wine has made headlines in Assam. Back in September 2017, Tocklai Tea Research Institute’s scientists claimed the development of three tea wine varieties – CTC, Orthodox, and Green tea wines.
Dr. Prasanta Dutta, who helmed the team, had mentioned that their research spanned from late 2015 to its public introduction at the Tocklai Tea Research Association’s annual general meeting. Highlighting its organic origins and health-enhancing properties, he had expressed optimism about its commercial potential.
As Saikia gears up to obtain a commercial license for her wine variant, she’s confident in the product’s potential. “Given its uniqueness and rich taste, I firmly believe our tea wine will resonate with diverse age groups, making it a preferred choice,” she said.
With these developments, Assam seems poised to further solidify its standing on the global beverage map, merging the legacies of its tea gardens with contemporary tastes and preferences.
