Making career out of Tea business 

One of the most interesting career option can be connected to the business of tea. From working in the tea estates to tasting and categorizing different flavors, it can attract the young to a life away from the din and noise. Getting trained for this life is always a plus point. 

Tea is one of the most refreshing and popular beverages of the world. India being the world's largest producer, exporter and consumer of tea, there is wide scope for careers in this field. Though not a very well known career option, jobs in this area can be interesting. 

There are a variety of jobs one can specialize in a tea industry. The jobs put together are known as tea management. Tea tasting is one of the highly specialized areas of work. Other areas are that of researchers, plantation managers, tea brokers, consultants etc.

In India, best tea growing areas are Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiris. Several varieties of tea can be grown in one garden. As tea is a seasonal plant, the same leaves from the same bush, plucked in different seasons, have different bouquets. Each of these varieties requires different ways of handling.

Eligibility: Even though anybody who has a basic educational background can get into tea industry, and pick up the skills required on the job, a degree in Agricultural Science or a B.Sc. in Botany, Food Sciences, Horticulture or allied fields is preferred these days. Candidates who have specialized in business management or marketing are recruited for marketing jobs. 

Personal attributes: One opting for a career in the filed must have an interest and liking for outdoor life. Leadership qualities and the ability to deal with laborers is an added asset for plantation/ factory managers. One must also have initiative, be knowledgeable about the tea market and be alert to changing market forces, and should be willing to undertake strenuous work. 

Job Prospects and Career Options: Tea companies or tea gardens, Tea broking Houses, Tea associations and the Tea Board of India offer lucrative positions. India being the leading producer of tea in the world, the scope for a career in this field is immense. Tea companies or tea gardens, Tea broking Houses, Tea associations and the Tea Board of India offer lucrative positions. 

An experienced tea planter can move into tea brokerage or tea tasting or take up a job in a tea broking house. Senior professionals can branch off into becoming consultants offering advice. Those academically inclined may get into research positions open at many tea plantations.

Career options -Plantation / Factory Managers: Tea gardens are controlled by Managers who have junior assistants and Assistant Managers, depending on the size and requirement of the garden, to assist them in the smooth functioning of the tea estate. Their work involves supervision of all plantation work involved from planting to plucking, processing to packing and transport of tea to auction houses.

Tea Taster: Tea tasting is a highly specialised area. Tea tasters differentiate between the various flavours of tea and help to brand the varieties according to quality. Most tea companies employ tea tasters for ensuring quality standards, and preparing blends.

Researcher: Research is an integral part of the industry. Much research is conducted by botanists, biotechnologists and other scientists, who study methods of producing disease-resistant, high yielding varieties of tea, as also strains that produce leaves that are natural blends of various teas.

Tea Brokers: Tea brokers act as intermediaries between the planter-producer and the buyer, and must be up-to-date with market trends and international prices. A background in tea industry and developing a keen tea tasting ability are important requisites in becoming a broker. At the auction centers, the tea samples are listed and evaluated by tea brokers.

Consultants: The tea board of India and various tea associations employ consultants. Experienced tea planters can take up consultancy services proffering advice on the varieties of tea to be planted, new varieties and their sources, recruitment and training of personnel, compensation, benefits and incentives

Remuneration: Despite the drawback, many youngsters are coming into the profession because of the good pay, attractive perks including a comfortable lifestyle with bungalow, car etc. Trainees get, on an average, Rs. 5,000 while senior professionals draw Rs. 25,000 per month and specialized professionals can earn in the range of 40,000- 50,000 per month.

Institutes: There are a number of Institutes providing training in Tea management. These institutes teach tea production to processing, finance, marketing and sales where tea tasting forms part of the curriculum.

Some of them are:-

Assam Agricultural University, Assam

Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bangalore

Dipras Institute of Professional Studies, Kolkata

Darjeeling Tea Research and Management Association, West Bengal

Assam Darjeeling Tea Research Centre, Darjeeling

Birla Institute of Futuristic Studies, Kolkata

The Tea Tasters Academy, Kerala.