Kolkata: While sipping your first cup of tea in the morning, did it ever occur to you that one can earn a hefty amount just by drinking tea? If not, then this news is for you. In India, tea is not just a drink, but a culture. And in the world of “tea tasters” who keep this culture alive, a unique job is hidden, where the understanding of fragrance and taste can take you to millions. But this work is not as easy as it seems. Let’s know the story of this unique profession closely.

The magic of the fragrance of tea

It is said, “The smell is half eaten.” This is completely applicable to tea. Whether it is Darjeeling’s first flush or Assam’s CTC, the identification of tea begins with its fragrance. If the fragrance of tea is not good, then the pleasure of drinking it remains incomplete. This is the reason why tea gardens and companies need people who can test the quality of tea. The job of these “tea tasters” is to smell, taste and determine the quality of every consignment of tea from the gardens to the factory.

A tea lover Ramesh Sharma said laughingly, “I drink tea every day, but I never thought that I could get paid for it.” But the truth is that this profession is as exciting as it is responsible.

What is the job of a tea taster?

The tea taster, i.e. tea-tester, assesses the aroma, taste, colour and texture of the tea leaves. He ensures that the tea prepared from the garden maintains its quality till it reaches the market. But this is not an ordinary job. It requires fine understanding, training and experience. Sanjay Rai, a tea-taster from Darjeeling, says, “Every tea has its own taste and story. To understand this, you have to keep your senses fully alert.”

How to become a tea-tester?

Special qualifications are required to step into this profession. A degree in food science, botany or agriculture gives a strong foundation, but many companies also train those without a degree. It is important that your sense of smell and taste is excellent. Apart from this, patience, analytical thinking and the skill of writing reports in English are also required. Sanjay says, “Initially it seems difficult, but with experience you start understanding the difference in every cup.” Many institutes in India provide training for this. North Bengal University, Darjeeling offers a one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Tea Management (PGDTM). This course also provides practical training along with theoretical knowledge. Apart from this, many private institutes in West Bengal and Assam run courses on tea tasting, blending and management. How much is the income? Initially, the salary of a tea-taster ranges from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per month. But as the experience increases, it can reach Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh or even more. Tea-testers working in big tea companies like Tata Tea or Goodricke get hefty packages and facilities. An experienced tea-tester said, “This job not only gives money but also a distinct identity in the tea world.”

Challenges and attractions

This job is as attractive as it is challenging. Drinking tea all day can affect the sensitivity of the tongue and nose. For this, special care has to be taken of health. Still, this is a dream profession for tea lovers. Ananya Ghosh, a trainee tea-taster from Kolkata, says, “Working immersed in the aroma of tea is no less than a walk for me. Every cup is a new experience.”

The future of the tea world

India is the second largest tea producing country in the world. Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri tea are famous in the global market. In such a situation, the demand for tea-testers always remains. Experts believe that new experiments like Aparajita tea and Java flower tea are making this industry more exciting.

So the next time you sip tea, think—can you also make this fragrance and taste your career? If yes, then a cup of tea can open the way to not only peace but also prosperity for you.