Staff at leading stores confided that orthodox teas now account for more than 10 percent of the total tea business. Most stores have domestic as well as overseas orthodox tea brands on their shelves to match with the consumers demand and taste. [break]
Himalayan Herbal, Shy Herbal, Dilmah, Twining and Fitne are among the most popular brands, said Uma Rai, sales executive of Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket and Department Store at Maharajgunj, Chakrapath. Most of these popular orthodox tea brands cost in the range of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per kg.
Demand for orthodox teas has grown mainly because they are available in many flavors and are regarded to deliver multiple health benefits such as making skin better, clearing blockages in arteries, and controlling heart problems.
"Mainly, people who are conscious about their health are going for green, herbal and medicinal teas even though they are expensive than regular CTC tea," said Binod Shrestha, sales executive at Big Mart at Citycenter.
Among the orthodox tea brands, Fitne, which is imported from Thailand, is highly popular among women because this tea is claimed to be specially prepared for women. Store managers said consumers claim Fitne tea helps lose weight.
Twining brand of tea imported from UK costs Rs 800 for 500 gram while Fitne is available for Rs 450 for fifteen bags. Other brands of orthodox tea is available in the range of Rs 600 to Rs 900 for around fifteen teabags.
Orthodox tea that comes with additional flavor of jasmine, also known as Jasmine tea, is becoming popular. Jasmine tea costs between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per kg and is mainly imported from China. Tea in flavors of vanilla, cherry, banana and many other fruits are priced at about Rs 105 for 25 teabags.
"In recent days, trend of choosing orthodox tea is rising but still a large number of people prefers locally-manufactured CTC tea because it is cheaper than other teas. As a result, Tokla, Teenpate and Muna tea brands are high in demand," said Uma Rai, sales executive at Bhat-Bhateni Superstore and Department Store at Chakrapath.
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