19th Edition of the Golden Leaf India Awards started

 UPASI jointly with Tea Board of India is organizing the 19th Edition of The Golden Leaf India Awards: Southern Tea Competition (TGLIA) to sustain the quality renaissance of the South Indian Tea Industry.

 This annual competition is eagerly looked  forward by the tea fraternity in South India.

It has helped  immensely to showcase the quality teas of various regions of South India all over the world.

The theme of the 19th edition of TGLIA is “TGLIA Teas for Markets”. It is also proposed to have a series of auctions for TGLIA type teas, and the first auction would be for the teas participating at the 19th edition of the competition. 

Mr.Arun Kumar, Convener, Organising Committee, TGLIA, said that for the 19th edition of TGLIA, 124 entries were received from 38 Estates/Factories  from different agro-climatic regions of Nilgiris, Wayanad, Anamallais, Travancore, High Ranges, other minor tea growing regions and from Bough Leaf Factories.  The first  level screening of teas for the 19th   edition of TGLIA was held on 30th March 2024 at UPASI, Coonoor. 

A 5 member jury comprising of  Messrs Dipak Shah, Chairman, South India Tea Exporters Association, Coimbatore, Manoj Gangadharan of Tata Consumer Products Ltd, Kochi, Poovandhran.R of J.Thomas & Co P Ltd, Coonoor, Raghu.K.K. of Paramount Tea Marketing (SI) P Ltd, Coonoor and Sriram.N of Global Tea Auctioneers P Ltd, Coonoor  representing exporters, packeteers and auctioneers evaluated the teas that had entered the competition.

 The teas qualifying the first level of screening will also be screened for pesticide residue parameters and heavy metals in the NABL accredited laboratory of UPASI Tea Research Foundation. The format and protocol for the competition was exhaustively detailed so as to ensure total transparency and de-mutualisation.  

The final tasting session is scheduled to be  held  in the month of April 2024 in an upcountry market, and the Auction of TGLIA teas would be held on 22nd April 2024.