Purple Tea can be produced in Assam: Experts

Purple Tea: The health-rich variety of tea grown in Kenya
Purple Tea that is grown only in Kenya was in news in January 2015. It was in news because experts at Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI) Assam claimed that Longai area of Cachar district in the Barak Valley and the hilly forested areas of Karbi Anglong district of Assam have potential to produce Purple Tea.

Till date, Kenya is the only known place in the world that produces this health-rich purple tea.  This tea is three to four times expensive in comparison to black tea.

Purple tea is a rare variety of tea that is grown around Mt Kenya region in very selective gardens. It is known for its medicinal properties and is rich in anthocyanins and contains lower catechins and caffeine. It is high in antioxidants and provides anti-cancer benefits and improves vision, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar metabolism.

According to a team of scientists and researchers at TTRI, the purple tea of Kenya originally belonged to Assam as the wild bushes of the tea can still be found in these areas of Assam.

Assam is the largest producer of tea in India, while China is the largest producer of tea in the world and is followed by India, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Turkey.