Imagine paying Rs one lakh for a kilogram of tea. It might sound unbelievable, but that’s the price tag for the exquisite “golden tip” tea from Munnar. This remarkable tea, often referred to as the ‘king of teas’, commands a higher price than gold due to its exceptional quality and rarity. Made from tender, handpicked tea leaves, the golden tip tea offers a unique and luxurious experience for tea connoisseurs.
This particular variety of golden tip tea is cultivated at the plantations of Dileep Pottamkulam, who owns the Camelot Resort at Letchmi Estate near Munnar. The high-priced and prestigious tea was brought from Ooty to Munnar. It may be noted that the golden tip tea is cultivated more in countries such as Sri Lanka, China and Japan. The tea is cultivated rarely in states like Tamil Nadu, Assam and Meghalaya. Dileep also grows ‘silver tip’ tea, which costs around Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 per kg.
Higher price means better quality
The flush with the gold-coloured tender tea leaves make golden tip stand out in the world of teas. Moreover, the tea is a storehouse of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. If you want healthy and glowing skin, drink this beverage regularly as it can iron out wrinkles and give a sparkling glow to your skin. Interestingly, there is no caffeine, which is usually found in tea and coffee, in golden tip tea.
The most expensive teas
While Munnar Golden Tip tea is extremely expensive, it's not the costliest tea in the world. Here are some of the most expensive teas globally:
Da Hong Pao Tea: This rare oolong tea from China is considered one of the most expensive teas in the world. It can cost up to $1.2 million per kilogram.
PG Tips Diamond Tea Bag: Created to celebrate the 75th anniversary of PG Tips, this tea bag contains Silver Tips Imperial Tea and is adorned with diamonds, costing around $15,000 per bag.
Panda Dung Tea: This unique tea is fertilized with panda dung and can cost up to $70,000 per kilogram.
Tieguanyin Tea: A rare Chinese oolong tea that can cost up to $3,000 per kilogram.
Vintage Narcissus: A rare oolong tea from the Wuyi Mountains in China, costing around $6,500 per kilogram.
In India, several high-quality teas command high prices due to their unique flavors, limited production, and exceptional quality. Here are some of the most expensive teas in India:
Manohari Gold Tea: Known as one of the costliest teas in India, it is produced in Assam and has fetched prices up to Rs 2.5 lakh per kilogram in auctions.
Golden Needle Tea: This Darjeeling tea is highly prized and can cost around Rs 1 lakh per kilogram.
Makaibari Silver Tips Imperial Tea: From the Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling, this tea is known for its exquisite flavor and can cost up to Rs 1 lakh per kilogram.
