England’s very own tea estate has been recognised by the Confederation of Indian Industry’s delegation, who has proposed that Darjeeling is twinned with Tregothnan.
This extraordinary development recognises over two centuries of pioneering work with camellia, the source of tea, across the estate’s vast acreage in Cornwall. Tregothnan has a climate with uncanny similarities to its proposed twin; both Darjeeling and Tregothnan grow enormous rhododendrons and magnolias as well as the tea genus. Tregothnan actually grew camellias at least 50 years before Darjeeling but mainly for ornamental and botanical purposes.
Meanwhile, Darjeeling has become the world’s finest ‘champagne of tea’ and the city of Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. As Tregothnan’s ‘Himalayan’ valleys appealed so much to a visiting delegation from the Indian Chamber of Commerce and its tea specialists, an invitation to twin with the world’s pre-eminent tea city was proposed. Reciprocal visits are being arranged with Tregothnan’s Jonathon Jones being invited to address a special forum on 17th December in Calcutta. The formal twinning will be arranged in 2012 and is due to be attended by The Honourable Evelyn Boscawen whose family seat is at Tregothnan continuously since 1335.
Jonathon Jones said: ‘This exciting twinning will help us exchange PhD students and collaborate on research projects. There is so much good in tea that isn’t yet known. This is wonderful news for India and the UK – two great tea drinking nations. We could do with some help processing our leaves as well!’
The economic benefits of collaboration are significant. Darjeeling is a cool climate retreat where the British escaped from the heat of Calcutta. As Ramgopal Agarwal, the Chairman of the Bengal branch of the Confederation of Indian Industry, stated: ‘Tregothnan is an innovative estate on such a scale that we feel it is a tremendous opportunity for both the Bengal region in India and Cornwall in England to really join forces and increase tea tourism. Tea is the world’s number one drink and yet is not well understood. What Tregothnan can do in Europe will really open up the possibilities, awareness, and benefits of this ancient beverage.’
Friendly rivalry between Tregothnan and Darjeeling stretches back over many years with frequent checks in January and February to see who first gets its famous Magnolia campbellii into flower. The magnificent large pink blooms are sometimes an indicator of a good spring flush of tea, especially if they appear in March. There is a real sense already of the twinning, with knowledge of what is happening in Darjeeling.
A special conference has been called for 17th-19th December in Bengal to discuss Tea tourism at The Indian Tea Forum. Tregothnan is to be represented either in person or via video link.