{"id":4769,"date":"2014-03-25T12:59:09","date_gmt":"2014-03-25T12:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sterlingholidays.com\/blog\/?p=4769"},"modified":"2023-11-22T08:20:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T08:20:10","slug":"kolukkumalai-the-worlds-highest-organic-tea-plantation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sterlingholidays.com\/blog\/kolukkumalai-the-worlds-highest-organic-tea-plantation\/","title":{"rendered":"Munnar Diaries Part 2 – Kolukkumalai : The world\u2019s highest organic tea plantation"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the second part of her travelogue on Munnar, Shireen Bharucha takes us on a trip to Kolukkumalai, which has the esteemed pride of being the world’s highest organic tea plantation. Her description of her experience is so vivid that you could almost smell the tea leaves!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It is not surprising that on our very first morning we visit Kolukkumalai (loosely translated: kolu \u2013 big and malai \u2013 mountain) the world\u2019s highest tea estate at over 8000 ft above sea level, which owns the region\u2019s oldest tea factory established in 1930 by a Scottish planter.\u00a0 It boasts of the world\u2019s highest grown orthodox tea.<\/p>\n

Orthodox tea is handmade tea, which is either hand-processed or rolled with machinery which is similar to hand rolling.\u00a0 All whole-leaf tea is made by this method.\u00a0 Orthodox tea is opposed to CTC tea which is machine processed where tea leaves are chopped uniformly and used for tea bags.\u00a0 The tea here being organically grown, no chemical fertilizer is used.\u00a0 The waste generated from processing the tea leaves is recycled as fertilizer.\u00a0 Another unique aspect is that the plants are not watered as the benevolent embrace of a wet fog which engulfs the region provides enough moisture for the plants to thrive.<\/p>\n

We set off with guide Jaya Shanker and jeep driver Ajith.\u00a0 Jeeps are the only mode of transportation to Kolukkumalai.\u00a0\u00a0 We drive through the town of Suryanelli and then onto tea plantations owned by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. through which a narrow, serpentine, stony and rocky dirt path with numerous hairpin bends leads to Kolullumalai.\u00a0 An entry fee of Rs.100\/- for the vehicle is charged at this juncture.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Path to Kolukkumalai Munnar<\/p><\/div>\n

The colours I associate Munnar with in January are green and red \u2013 the soothing green of the tea gardens edged by ferns and the blazing red of Poinsettia which are in full bloom and line most of the tea gardens as also the red of the pretty Indian Coral which dots the hillsides.<\/p>\n

The scenery is spectacular, as the path winds along the steep slopes of undulating tea gardens and high-altitude shola forests of eucalyptus and pine.<\/p>\n

The homes of the tea garden employees nestle among the gardens which are encircled by majestic mountains.<\/p>\n

Colourfully attired women carrying baskets on their backs shear tea leaves, rather than pluck them.\u00a0 Each worker collects 25-30 kilograms of leaves per day.\u00a0 One kilogram of black tea is obtained from four kilograms of green leaves.\u00a0 The tea bushes are interspersed with thickets of eucalyptus.\u00a0 Jaya explains that this is done, as the eucalyptus stores water during the rainy season and releases it during dry weather.<\/p>\n

As we climb higher, the bone-rattling drive becomes scary.\u00a0 The lovely scenes vanish from sight as a heavy, ice-cold and clammy fog descends reducing visibility to almost zero!\u00a0 However I do spot the biggest, fattest and wooliest sheep grazing on the hillside!\u00a0 When confronted by a vehicle coming from the opposite direction, maneuvering on this one-lane path proves a challenge as the slightest error of judgement can be fatal.\u00a0 Ajith passes the test with distinction!<\/p>\n

\"Kolukkumalai

Kolukkumalai Tea Garden In the Fogs<\/p><\/div>\n

We finally come to a board saying \u201cNow \u2018U R\u2019 at 7130 ft.\u201d, from where the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border can be seen on a clear day, but the fog plays spoilsport! From here we drive downhill to the factory.\u00a0 The 20 km drive from Chinnakanal has taken over an hour, inclusive of the time we stop to shoot some photographs.<\/p>\n

Jaya ushers us into the manager\u2019s charming little office, the exterior covered with ivy.\u00a0 We welcome the hot cup of aromatic, fresh tea that Jaya hands us, for Rs.10\/-.\u00a0 A factory tour costs Rs.100\/- per person. We are assigned a guide but Jaya accompanies us as our interpreter.<\/p>\n

The factory with its fully wooden interiors exudes an old world charm.\u00a0 The entire process \u2013 withering, rolling, sieving, fermenting, drying, fibre extraction and grading \u2013 all done by age-old machines, as also the furnace fired by wood, and finally, the room where the tea is manually weighed and packed is shown.\u00a0 A variety of teas are sold at the outlet attached to the factory.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate managed by the Kottagudi Plantations was awarded the Golden Leaf Award by the Tea Boards of India and USA for its excellent quality of tea in 2005.<\/p>\n

\"Kolukkumalai

Kolukkumalai Tea Factory Munnar<\/p><\/div>\n

Will we brave the horrendous ride to Kolukkumalai again?\u00a0 For the gorgeous scenery and the drama of the mist and fog, we will, with the hope that we might see the panoramic views from the top, which we miss on this trip.<\/p>\n

After enduring this tough ride, relaxation is called for.\u00a0\u00a0 We do just that by exploring Munnar\u2019s cultural side in the evening.<\/p>\n

To know more about Munnar<\/a> and its cultural side, click here to read Part 3 of Shireen Barucha\u2019s extensive Munnar travelogue<\/a>. If you are looking to visit any other hill stations In India, read our blog on Hill stations in North India<\/a> and Hill stations in South India<\/a> to get an idea about India’s hidden treasures.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Quick Links<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Part 1 – A portfolio of Munnar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Part 2 – Kolukkumalai : The world\u2019s highest organic tea plantation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Part 3 – Kerala\u2019s oldest martial art: Kalaripayattu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Part 4 – Munnar \u2013 discovering history<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Part 5 – Here, there and everywhere<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The views expressed by the author are in her personal capacity.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the second part of her travelogue on Munnar, Shireen Bharucha takes us on a trip to Kolukkumalai, which has the esteemed pride of being the world’s highest organic tea plantation. Her description of her experience is so vivid that you could almost smell the tea leaves! It is not surprising that on our very…<\/p>\n

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