Tea has struck gold again with a new price record of Rs 50,000 a kilogram at the auctions.

Manohari garden in Dibrugarh district of Upper Assam, which fetched Rs 39,001 for a kg of its Gold Special Tea last year before being quickly overtaken by Donyi Polo garden of Arunachal Pradesh at Rs 40,000, on Tuesday fetched Rs 50,000 a kg for the tea, which is now the most expensive in auctions in the country.

Two kgs of Gold Special was sold by Contemporary Brokers to Guwahati-based Saurabh Tea Traders Pvt Ltd who bought it for their clients in western India.

Mangilal Maheswari, owner of Saurabh Tea Traders Pvt Ltd, said, “One kilogram of this exquisite tea will go to a boutique in western India and we will keep 1kg for retailing. Last year, when we had bought the tea at Rs 39,0001, we had received a lot of inquiries. So, we decided to keep 1kg of tea with us and the profit from the proceeds will go for flood relief through Gauhati Commerce College 1978 Batch Alumni Association.

“This hand-picked Manohari Gold is superb in all respects. The leaf is velvety and the liquor is fantastic with a delicate flavour which is sure to attract any tea lover,” he added.

The bidding limit for orthodox tea was increased on Monday, following a request by the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre last week.

“My buyer called up me early this morning before the bidding started to say that he wanted the tea at any price. I could increase my bidding offer as the cap of Rs 40,000 has been removed. There is always a demand for exquisite tea. I am already getting inquiries for this tea,” Maheswari said.

C.K. Parasher, 85, the brain behind the making of the tea, said, “I made 5kg of this tea, which took me two months. The weather was not supportive but it still came out wonderfully. The tea is full of tips made from buds. It gives me satisfaction that the tea fetched a very good price. I have spent a long career in tea and will keep on making tea as long as my health permits. It’s like learning every day.”

Rajan Lohia, managing director of Manohari, claimed that the hand-plucked gold tea is one of the finest ever produced.

“This tea is an indication of the standard of Assam tea but the industry is not getting the admiration and support it deserves. Without government support the tea industry will be in dire straits. It is already on the verge of shut down, which will lead to disaster as lakhs of dependents will die of unemployment and hunger,” Lohia said.

He thanked the Tea Board for enhancing the cap from 40000, Parasher for his dedicated efforts, Swashat Dutta of Contemporary Brokers for marketing, Saurabh Tea Traders Pvt Ltd for “buying our teas at such a price” and the buyers for their support as it “would bring many more excellent teas”.

Another planter said such high prices were a “feel good factor” which gave them hope.

Satyanjoy Hazarika, managing director (tea) of Contemporary Brokers, said making of specialty tea is an art and Assam tea gets good exposure from it.