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Rujani Tea, the online brand selling teas from Jorhat's Aideobarie tea estate and Darjeeling's Glenburn Fine Tea just won the Gold Honours at The Leafies 2023- International Tea Academy Awards organised by the UK Tea Academy. Ten tea gardens from different tea-producing areas of the world have won gold at the award this year, including Rujani and Glenburn.
The tea from Rujani, which won the top honour is Tippy Reserve, a light and fruity single-origin black tea, that's golden in colour and has honey undertones. It's full-bodied and has distinct, malty notes. The second flush tea is plucked by the classic ‘two and a bud' system, the tea is processed in small batches, as a 'whole leaf' tea. The 125-year-old farm is known for producing a range of organic loose-leaf teas, grown and hand-harvested on a farm near the River Teok.
Darjeeling Moonshine, the tea from Glenburn which also won the award is a light white tea made from tender shoots plucked from Glenburn's clonal bushes. The tea is made in small batches and is clear bright lemon in colour, light and subtle on the palate with floral and citrus undertones. The delicately rolled leaves show long silver buds and have hints of peach and lilies.
Besides the Gold category, The Leafies also released a list of Highly Commended list of estates which includes a few gardens from India. Besides Glenburn's Masala Chai, the list featured Turzum from Darjeeling and Nahorhabi in Assam, belonging to Jay Shree Tea, Mansimble Tea & Estate in Kangra, Nilgiri's Tea Studio and Bihar's Doke Tea.
The Leafies are the first ever dedicated UK tea awards, initiated by the UK Tea Academy, which was established in 2015 to raise the standards of tea service in hospitality. The Leafies were launched in 2022 by the UK Tea Academy, as an award that aims to celebrate loose-leaf teas from all over the globe and bring primary tea producers exposure to a global tea-focused market. Twelve expert judges from diverse tea-producing regions judged 320 teas from more across the globe.
The Gold Award winners receive The Leafies Gold Award Trophy and retail stickers. Winners have the right to use The Leafies’ award-winning Gold marque on their website and in their marketing collateral. Winning teas will be highlighted in a global tea-focused market with worldwide promotional and networking opportunities. Some of the teas will be included in the UK Tea Academy (UKTA) training courses, the UK’s leading professional tea educational body.
