Good response to Golden Leaf Awards

After getting the final nod from the Dubai Tea Trade Centre for holding the second edition of the 'Golden Leaf India Award' contest for the best South Indian teas, the United Planters' Association of Southern India (Upasi) today announced that it had received a good response from the estates.

N Dharmaraj, convenor of the competition, said that of the total 32 categories identified, there were 194 entries that are likely to compete at the first level of screening to be held at Coonoor on February 11.

"The competition for second edition is intense as there is a 45 per cent increase in the entries for all the categories put together. The estate or factory participation has also increased from 79 to 87," he added.

The selection of the best teas from various agro climatic regions will be based on a multi-layer screening process that captures the various quality attributes of tea such as dry leaf appearance, infused or spent leaf appearance and its liquor attributes. The final level of screening will be held at Dubai on February 26 in connection with the Global Dubai Tea Forum 2006.

The teas qualifying the first level of screening will also be tested for pesticide residue parameters and heavy metals, the release added such as colour, aroma, briskness and strength.