The saviour of Vietnamese tea has won hearts at the first International Gourmet Tea Competition ‘Teas of the World’ recently held by the Agency for the Valorisation of Agricultural Products (AVPA) in Paris, France.

Tea is harvested in Dong Hy District, Thai Nguyen Province. Rizote tea from Thai Nguyen won the silver award at the first International Gourmet Tea contest in Paris, France. — VNA/VNS Photo Hong Ky

Rizote tea from the northern province of Thai Nguyen, a locality famous for green tea, won the silver award, and the Carosa of Tay Con Linh Cooperative in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang brought the home bronze award.

Another product from the Tay Con Linh Cooperative - Latchi Tay Con Linh, along with  Oolong Oflora Moc Chau, and Oolong Ceriso Moc Chau originating from the northern mountainous province of Son La, received the Gourmet awards.

The northern localities have been touted as a cradle of Vietnamese tea, and tea products from the region are highly valued in the European market, according to Barbara Dufrene, former secretary general of the EU Tea Committee.

The AVPA Tea Competition is unique in its kind, based on gastronomic rather than standardised refereeing, seeking a striking rather than consensual sensory profile.

This is the first time that an independent body in a consumer country has promoted the good practices of production and trade.

Receiving international tea prizes will help Vietnamese tea to affirm its reputation on the international area.

Last year, Viet Nam’s tea exports to the European Union surged 24.55% in volume and 40% in value, with exports to Germany posting the strongest growth of 82.9% in volume and 169% in value.

This is a positive signal for the tea industry in Viet Nam, particularly since the 500-million-population EU market comprises of high-income economies, where consumers want more than just low prices.

(Source: VNS)