I am new here and have seen some articles "tea from Bangladesh" but couldn't start from there, I don't know why. Thats why I am posting this message with a new box. Michael Plant and Nataranjan Krihnaswami liked that Ispahani CTC tea. I am from Bangladesh and enjoying fresh garden tea everyday with my good collection of Chinese,Nepalese,Indian,Kenyan,Cylon,Indonesian tea and also from many others countries. Michael, you said Bangladeshi teas are exported by tons to India because they are cheaper and satisfing. I am writing a book on tea and have gone through massive research. Bangladesh tea is mainly exported to Russia, Central Europe, U.K., Africa(Egypt and Libia), and also some other countries. I have heard in Russia the Bangladesi brand "Planters Tea" is quite popular. I have tried almost all sorts of black tea from different parts of the world but still the finest granular CTC teas of Bngladesh is one of my favourite with some milk and sugar. The latest news from bangladesh tea market is-Tetly entered the market with 5 different brands and the local companies reacted strongly with their own new brands. The brand "Heritage tea" hit the market with their new morning and afternoon blends. Of course Ispahani Tea is good, and if you haven't tried "Ispahani Zareen", I'm sure you will find it excellent. I don't see any difference between Assam tea and Bangladeshi CTC tea. Also Bangladesh's Menna black tea with darjeeling flavour is excellent.
Actually most of the tea gardens in Bangladesh are in Sylhet which borders Assam(India). There, famous British companies such as Duncan Brothers, Finley have tea gardens along with many local companies. During my research, I have found country's countries such as Malawi, Tanzania, Australia, and Brazil are tea producers but couldn't figure out why they don't have Bangladesh's name. Bangladesh is the 8th largest tea producer in the world. During my research trip to Sylhet, I found that Bangladesh exports OP, FOP, GFOP and also organic black tea. Bangladesh also exports organic green tea to Japan (James Finley,U.K). Another interesting piece of information that I found out when I went to Tetulia in the north of Bangladesh which borders India and is on the slopes of the Himalayas, is that a local company named Mena tea is producing organic black tea which has some Darjeeing flavour.
I have been buying tea from Upton Tea, Special Tea, Imperial Tea Court, Grey & Seddon, but still Bangladeshi CTC is in my list and I am happy to be able to get it very fresh. Sometimes I mix Bangladeshi CTC tea with Twinings "Prince of Wales"(Kemmun) and the result is very positive. Upton Tea's Baker Street blend (TB75) goes well with one tea spoon of Bandladeshi CTC. This is one of my favourite breakfast blend. I will be in US next year for a year if anyone of you are very interested, please contact me. The first 5 people will get some Bangladeshi CTC tea from me (Free). By the way, I will be in the Washington D.C. area -- can anyone recommend some good tea stores there? I am not a tea trader, I am truly a tea lover who wants other tea lovers to have this exotic CTC black tea taste. My personal e-mail address is snipped-for-privacy@dhaka.net.
Thanks to Michael and Natarajan for sending their impressions. Their comments inspired me to send this message. If any of you are more interested to know please feel free to contact me.I will be very happy to send you more information about tea from Bangladesh. I have also decided to regularly send my comments about various tea to rec.food.drink.tea. I mostly enjoy black tea but also drink good Japanese Sencha and hojicha. And of course I'm ready to try anything new. Tea has just become part of my life and passion. As I mentioned in the begining I am writing a book on tea, and I will really appriciate if anyone send me any new information on tea.
Thanks again. Enjoy your cup of tea.
Ripon (From Bangladesh)