High-end Indian teas made a colourful debut in the Chinese market as top local producers and distributors were treated to the vibrant varieties of the beverage.

At the special tea tasting ceremony organised by the Indian Embassy at its cultural centre here yesterday, who is who of China’s tea industry was present to get a taste of Indian teas and the rich history that goes with them.

The get-together was accompanied by Indian music and classical Kathak performances by Chinese and Indian artists.

“The get-together was the first attempt by India to show China that tea is part of Indian cultural milieu and India produces a wide variety of exclusive teas,” Mr Arun Sahu, Indian diplomat who heads the cultural centre, said about the initiative.

Indian tea, specially the famous varieties such as Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiris, was famous all over the world but in China, which is known for its own varieties of teas, specially the green teas, there is little awareness about Indian tea, he said.

China is the largest producer of teas mostly green varieties which are consumed without milk.

According to Chinese historians, tea originated in China and the Chinese tea generally represents tea leaves which have been processed using methods inherited from ancient times.

According to popular legend, tea was accidentally discovered by Chinese Emperor Shennong in 2737 BCE when a leaf from a Camellia Sinensis tree fell into the water which he was boiling.

The beverage is considered one of the seven necessities of Chinese life, along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soyasauce and vinegar.

China is the world’s leading producer of tea.

According to estimates, China’s tea market (off trade) is estimated at $3 billion in 2010.

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