Guwahati: People in Assam may not have met Volodymyr Zeleneskyy but they can gauge his strength by having a tea by the same name.
A tea entrepreneur from Assam, Ranjit Baruah of Aromica Tea, has made Zelenskyy tea – a blend of strong Assam.
“Zelenskyy is a blend of strong Assam. It is black tea with a robust character and malty flavour,” Baruah, who has been in the tea sector for nearly two decades, told EastMojo.
“This tea promises to be as strong as the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zeleneskyy who is fighting the mighty Russian forces,” Baruah said.
For the flavour, the manufacturer has used orthodox tea, and CTC for the strength.
The Ukrainian President has been garnering a lot of admiration from across the world for the way he has stood up against and is fighting the Russians. The war-hit country is also attracting a lot of international support from political leaders across the world.
Assam tea is generally known for the second flush, which comes in May-June and is characterised by its boldness and robustness, and is topped with classic flavours of malt and woody astringency. It is valued for its rich taste, bright liquors and is considered one of the choicest teas in the world.
Because of its naturally high caffeine content, Assam tea is frequently marketed as a breakfast tea. Many Irish and English breakfast tea use Assam or a blend that includes it.
Aromica is a brand of Tender Buds Teas and Crafts Pvt Ltd based in Guwahati. The company currently has more than 40 varieties of value-added teas. It sources the leaf from small tea growers, and the company believes in blending traditional virtues with age-old wisdom in creating teas that carry health benefits, offer taste and a rich experience of tea.
There are four harvest periods for tea in the country — first flush, second flush, rain flush and autumn flush.
Leaves plucked during the first flush are the youngest and the most tender part of the tea plant, and are said to yield the purest and freshest cup of tea that the plant is capable of producing.
The first flush from March to April is the first plucking after the dormant winter months. The leaves are tender and light green. The liquor is light, clear and bright with a pleasant and brisk flavour.