Tea

Global black tea production heading for shortfall

Global production of black tea is heading towards a shortfall in the first half of 2012 due to the prevailing dry weather in major tea producing countries. Worst ever drought in fifteen years in North India has impacted on crop intakes with an estimated drop of 50 - 60% to end March 2011.

It is reported that Assam and West Bengal together will record approximately 20 Mkgs to end March 2012 as against 46 Mkgs recorded for the corresponding year of 2011. It is also reported that shortage of tea in India and a robust domestic demand will push up prices in the country.

Abnormal weather conditions in Kenya too have reduced tea production. Kenyan tea crop dropped 12.9% in the first two months of the year compared to the corresponding period of 2011 and is likely to end the first quarter at a 15% deficit once again due to hot and dry weather coupled with repeated frost attacks in February. Although rains have come in late, it will be difficult to re-coup the crop loss, with Kenyan tea board projecting a drop of 5% by the end of the year.

Sri Lanka tea production appears to be heading in a similar wane though not to the same degree as North India and Kenya.

Tea production at the end of the first quarter is also likely to show a negative variance compared to 2011. Extremely dry conditions that prevailed in the first quarter of the year have given way to inter monsoonal showers.

Bright mornings followed by afternoon showers will prevail until the onset of the south west monsoon in June. These are welcome rains and together with applications of fertilizer are ideal for growth of tea. Despite better weather for cropping intakes are still low due to stoppage of work for New Year and workers mostly on estates up country celebrating their annual religious festivals, but is expected to increase significantly in the month of May.

It is hoped, that the shortfall in crop in key black tea producing countries will help stabilize prices at remunerative levels. We are already witnessing prices of Sri Lanka's Low Grown teas continuing to rise and are now above last years levels. Low Grown accounts for bulk of Sri Lanka's production.

In the absence of a sale last week, on account of the Sinhala/ Tamil New Year, the 1.2 Mkgs of Ex Estate teas on offer met with fair demand. Western High Grown BOPs declined following quality. Below best types shed Rs.5 to 10 with the plainer types declining further. BOPFs on offer at the top end declined Rs.10 and more.

However there was better demand for the below best and plainer types. Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPFs gained Rs.10. Uva /Udapusselllawa BOPs were barely steady with BOPFs advancing Rs.10 .

Select Best Low Grown PF1s were firm, whilst others declined substantially with a fair weight remaining unsold. High and Medium types shed Rs.10 on average. Brokens also declined by a similar margin and more for the Low Grown types.

The 3.4 Mkg of Low Growns that were on offer this week, met with improved demand. Prices for most categories on offer advanced further by Rs. 10 to Rs. 15 and more for the Pekoe varieties.

The highest Low Grown average on record was at the sale of 16th September 2009 at Rs. 456.23 when the US Dollar to rupee conversion was at Rs. 115/61.

With the current trend in prices and with the US Dollar to the rupee fluctuating between Rs. 126 and Rs. 130, it is expected that the Low Grown average will reach a record level in the near future.

There was excellent demand from Russia, Iraq, Syria and most other Middle Eastern markets.

Mombasa sale on April 16 and 17

Improved but irregular demand for the 5,648,621 kilos (90,721 packages) on offer with prices closely following quality; only 14.66% were neglected.

Brighter BP1s saw improved competition gaining USC4 to 12 but a few invoices were discounted by upto USC10 while mediums were irregular with improved lines gaining up to USC8 but others shed USC4 to 10; lower mediums met an irregular interest ranging between USC8 dearer to easier by a similar level.

Plainer sorts saw better absorption appreciating by up to USC15 and a few improved lines were substantially dearer with make.

Brighter PF1s met strong competition and gained USC4 to 18 with mediums well absorbed at USC4 to 12 dearer; lower mediums saw an irregular interest varying between USC6 dearer and more for a few lines to easier by similar levels. Plainer PF1s also reflected better enquiry gaining upto USC8 and more for a few improved invoices but poorest types were often difficult of sale.

Brighter PDUSTs were a strong feature appreciating by USC3 to 18 while mediums saw improved enquiry at USC4 to 12 dearer but a few poorer teas were heavily discounted; lower mediums met an irregular interest and varied between USC6 to 18 dearer but poorer invoices were discounted. Plainer descriptions were well supported at USC5 to 20 dearer but the poorest remained unsold.

Brighter DUST1s were USC2 to 8 dearer but a few lines shed upto USC6 with mediums gaining USC3 to 10 but some invoices lost upto USC20 and more; lower mediums ranged between USC6 to 18 dearer to easier by upto USC8. Plainer types met improved competition at USC10 to 20 above last prices.

In the secondary catalogues BPs were dearer while clean PFs gained but others eased. Clean well sorted coloury Fannings were discounted with similar Dusts easier. Other Fannings were difficult of sale but Dusts were steady. BMFs were well absorbed.

Egyptian Packers, Pakistan Packers, Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries lent strong support with more activity from UK and Bazaar while Kazakhstan(CIS) and Sudan maintained interest. Afghanistan was active and there was some interest from Russia and Iran. Somalia was active at lower levels.

Kolkata sale on 10 and 11 April

CTC: There was good demand for the nominal weight of teas on offer. The few bright liquoring Assams were well received and sold at attractive levels on the face of competition. The Dooars on offer sold in line with quality. Bright, well made teas sold at attractive rates whilst the better medium varieties were firm to slightly dearer compared to last week's levels. Medium and plainer liquoring teas were, however, barely steady to slightly easier.

DUST: Good demand. The few Assams on offer sold well. Amongst the nominal weight of Dooars, brighter invoices sold well with others selling at irregular levels in line with quality. In both the Leaf and Dust markets, the Assams and brighter liquoring Dooars, especially Dooars fannings, were operated on by the Western India segment who competed for the teas.

The remainder of the Dooars on offer was absorbed by the Local segment with some enquiry witnessed from the Western India segment.

A cup of tea, a cup of health

That cup of tea that you may have been sipping for years not only has become a trendy habit but also healthy one for that reason.

Tea has really moved into the mainstream. Years ago one of the few places to find green tea was in a Japanese restaurant. Now green or black tea is everywhere; served hot or iced, at chic restaurants, supermarkets, or in elegant department stores.

New research has shown that sipping a relaxing cup of tea, especially green tea, may provide a number of health benefits. Studies from the United States of Agriculture have shown that tea may pack as powerful a punch of health as one serving of many vegetables or fruits.

It is green or black tea from the evergreen tree known as the Camellia sinesis that has been found to possess many healing properties. These teas contain powerful substances that are classified as phytochemicals.

There are hundreds of phytochemicals found only in plant foods that are starting a new era in nutrition. Examples of a phytochemicals are carotenoids found in carrots, capsicum in red chili peppers and flavonoids in tomatoes. You can see these substances clearly in the brilliant orange and red colors of these vegetables.

Green or black tea contains a phytochemical known as epigallocatechin gallate, that is often called EGCG for short. Emerging research shows that this substance contains strong antioxidant potential.

Antioxidants help protect the body against the damage of free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of metabolization, but may also be formed in the body as a result of smoking, air pollution and exposure to sunlight. Free radicals are highly reactive substances that can, if not controlled, damage cells in some people's bodies.

It is thought that this damage can set off a chain of biological events that can lead to the progression of some cancers and heart disease. Numerous research studies have shown that antioxidants help protect the body against this detrimental effect and can also reduce the risk of these deadly diseases.

In a study of the antioxidant activity of various fruits and vegetables, USDA researchers found that black and green tea have a greater antioxidant effect than individual servings of many vegetables such as carrots and broccoli or fruits including apples, grapes, kiwi and grapefruit. While tea is not a substitute for a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables it can certainly play a part in a healthy lifestyle.

Another interesting fact is that tea is one of the few natural sources of the mineral fluoride. Fluoride is the most successful agent against tooth decay found to date and has changed the face of modern dentistry. Tea has been shown to have a positive effect on preventing tooth decay and gum disease. However, this applies to drinking tea in moderation. Excessive amounts may not be beneficial.

Scientific research is just beginning to explore the connection between drinking tea and its effects on maintaining the body's homeostasis and balance. In other words, tea is thought to be rejuvenating.

Tea is enjoyed worldwide because while it is calming it is also reviving and uplifting.

It is also thought that the act of sipping tea in itself has restorative powers. Maybe this is one of the reasons why tea has become such a hit.

Tea has even been becoming more and more popular at coffee bars. Starbucks offers a popular Chai Tea, which is a spicy black tea served sweet and creamy.

Twenty five ways to re-use tea bags

Tea is the second-most-consumed beverage in the world after water. Tea is so popular, in fact, that it contributes fifteen hundred tons of waste to landfills each year. So if you're a tea drinker who's also concerned about the environment, you'll be happy to know you can use brewed tea bags in a number of ways before throwing them into the garbage.

Re-using tea bags for health and beauty

If you have a bruise, sunburn, bee sting, mosquito bite, or cold sore put a cool, damp tea bag on the affected area and use like a compress. The tea will bring comforting relief, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

The tannin in tea also helps treat plantar warts. Just press a wet, warmed tea bag directly on the area for ten to fifteen minutes and let the skin dry naturally. If you repeat this treatment for a few days the wart will eventually disappear completely.

Looking for a natural way to soften your skin? Just run your bathwater over some used tea bags and have an indulgent, restoring soak that will leave you with impossibly soft skin. Any kind of tea will serve this purpose, but the antioxidants in green tea are particularly effective for rehydrating your skin.

Warm or cold, tea bags help revitalize tired, achy, or puffy eyes. So lie back with brewed, refrigerated tea bags over your eyes and the tannins in the tealeaves will stimulate blood circulation and diminish the bags and dark circles under your eyes.

Soothe razor burn and relieve nicks and cuts by pressing a wet tea bag to your skin. Not only will the tea take some of the sting out, it

will also stop the bleeding.

Drain a blister or abscess without pain by covering the affected area with a wet tea bag overnight; you'll see results by the time you wake up the next morning.

If you've just rolled around in some poison ivy, moisten a cotton ball with strongly brewed tea and dab it on your skin to dry up the weepy rash.

Use tea bags for a DIY, at-home facial that would cost you hundreds at a spa. Simply place a brewed tea bag in a bowl of hot water, position your face above the bowl, and cover your head and the bowl with a towel to hold the steam in. The antioxidants and tannins in the tea will tighten your pores, reduce puffiness, and leave your face glowing!

Give your feet a daily tea bath that calms, restores, and also eliminates offensive odors! Just boil three or four brewed tea bags in one quart of water for ten minutes. Once the water has cooled enough to be comfortable for your feet, soak them for twenty to thirty minutes.

Rinse your hands with water and a brewed tea bag to remove food odors, especially onions and fish.

Warm up a brewed tea bag, take the leaves out of it, roll them in a scrap of fabric, and use as a compress for a painful toothache, canker sore, or fat lip.

Re-using tea bags in the kitchen

Cook an incredibly moist turkey by adding a brewed tea bag and a cup of water to the pan. The tannin in the tea is a natural meat tenderizer and adds a unique, delicious flavour.

Did your dishwasher fail to clean that big, greasy dish of stuck-on lasagna? Just soak the dish overnight with hot water and a few brewed teabags and the tannins from the tea with break down the grease by morning.

You don't have to buy a box of baking soda just to get rid of the odors in your fridge. A brewed tea bag will do the same thing and can easily be replaced.

Re-using tea bags around the house

Deodorize stuffy rooms by pouring one quart twice-brewed tea and four tablespoons lemon juice or your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle.

Clean your dark leather shoes by wiping a damp, brewed tea bag in a circular motion.

If you're a smoker or have an ashtray out for guests, put a wet tea bag or the leaves from a wet tea bag into the ashtray. When you or your guests ash in the tray, the wet leaves will hold the ash and absorb some of the smell from the smoke.

The antibacterial contents of tea bags will help neutralize the odor in your litter box, as well. Just sprinkle the dried out contents of a brewed tea bag into the kitty litter.

If you sprinkle the damp tea leaves from a brewed tea bag over the ashes in your fireplace before cleaning it out, the tea will keep the ashes from rising and making a mess when you lift them out.

Wipe cast-iron pots and pans with a brewed tea bag to remove and prevent rust.

Empty the dry contents from several brewed tea bags onto smelly carpets or pet bedding, allow to settle for ten or fifteen minutes, then deodorize the area when you vacuum and leave the refreshing scent of tea behind. This will also deodorize the vacuum cleaner bag at the same time.

Make your mirrors sparkle and shine by using cooled, twice-brewed tea as a cleaner. Just dip a soft cloth in the tea and use it to wipe away dirt and grime, and then buff dry.

Re-using tea bags outdoors

Tear open a brewed tea bag and work the contents into the dirt of acid-loving plants like ferns and roses. The tannic acid and other nutrients will be released when you water the plants, spurring their growth. If these plants are ailing, watering them with cooled, twice-brewed tea will set them on the path to recovery!

And for healthier potted plants, place a few brewed tea bags over the drainage hole at the bottom of the planter before potting. The tea bags will retain water and leach nutrients to the soil.

Speed the decomposition process and enrich your compost pile by pouring a few cups of strong, twice-brewed tea into the heap. The liquid tea will hasten decomposition and draw acid-producing bacteria that will create acid-rich compost. Oh, and you can compost any of the used tea bags you can't find use for, as long as you remove the staples first.