Darjeeling Tea (GI) — West Bengal
What it is & why region-specific
- “Darjeeling Tea” is legally defined as tea grown and processed only in the 87 registered gardens within the notified hills of Darjeeling; the Tea Board controls the GI/logo and licensing.
- The name/logo are protected as GI in India and Certification/Collective Marks in the UK, USA and EU—a major brand-protection moat for exporters.
Export picture & HS codes
- Ships under HS 0902 (tea; exact 8-digit depends on black/green/pack size). India exported ~250.7 million kg of tea in FY24 (US$ ~776m); Darjeeling is a small, premium slice of this basket. Tea Board data indicate Darjeeling output was roughly ~6 million kg in 2024, underscoring scarcity.
Quality & compliance cues (what buyers ask for)
- Authenticity documents from Tea Board for GI/logo use, plus Exporter’s licence and Certificate of Origin for Darjeeling consignments.
- Residues & inspections: Tea exports are governed by the Tea (Distribution & Export) Control Order, with Tea Board inspection powers; Tea Board also tracks pesticide MRLs/label-claim actives (CIB&RC).
- Cup profile: first-flush (Mar–Apr) is light/floral; second-flush (May–Jun) shows the classic “muscatel” character that global buyers seek.
Strengths to pitch
- GI-backed provenance + natural scarcity; high-altitude micro-climate; recognizable first/second-flush story.
Sweets (Muri & Makhana)
Muri sweet: Jaynagarer Moa (GI) — South 24 Parganas, West Bengal
What it is & why region-specific
- GI-registered seasonal sweet (Application No. 382) from Jaynagar: made with Kanakchur aromatic rice (popped as khoi) and nolen gur (date-palm jaggery). Seasonality (Nov–Jan) drives limited, premium supply.
Export picture & HS codes
- Typically classified under HS 1904 (cereal products obtained by swelling/roasting) for puffed-rice sweets; some exporters also use related 1904 sublines depending on recipe/pack—confirm at filing. (Shipment datasets show puffed-rice sweets under 1904.)
- Exports exist but are niche/seasonal due to short shelf-life; media reports note shipments to diaspora markets (e.g., Bahrain, Canada, Italy).
Quality & strengths
- GI provenance, aroma from Kanakchur rice and nolen gur—a terroir story that’s hard to replicate outside Bengal.
Makhana (Mithila Makhana, GI) — North Bihar (Mithila belt)
What it is & why region-specific
- Mithila Makhana (Euryale ferox) holds a GI registration; Bihar accounts for ~85% of India’s production across districts like Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Katihar—a tight geographic clustering.
Export picture & HS codes
- Classification depends on form:
- EU market access: from Mar 2023, the EU authorised “roasted and popped kernels of Euryale ferox (makhana)” as a traditional food—explicit green-light for snacks.
- Scale: India is the dominant source; estimates suggest ~15,350 tonnes (US$ ~32.3m) exported in 2024, with key buyers in the US, UK, UAE, Canada (indicative—industry/press tallies).
Quality & compliance cues (what buyers ask for)
- EU spec (novel food authorisation) lays out tight product specs—e.g., moisture <5%, heavy metals (Pb ≤0.1 mg/kg), mycotoxins (Aflatoxin B1 ≤2 μg/kg; total ≤4 μg/kg), microbiology, pesticides ≤0.01 mg/kg, acrylamide, PAHs, etc.—use this as your QC checklist for EU shipments.
- Domestic standards: FSSAI governance for processing, plus AGMARK grading exists for makhana (useful for uniform grading in domestic/export lots).
Strengths to pitch
- GI + near-monopoly origin (Mithila); clean-label, vegan/gluten-free “superfood” positioning; EU authorisation simplifies entry for snack formats.
Quick HS & paperwork aide
- Darjeeling Tea: HS 0902 (map to exact subline by type/pack); Tea Board GI/logo licence + Certificate of Origin for “Darjeeling” claims.
- Muri (Jaynagarer Moa): typically HS 1904 family (confirm recipe/pack).
- Makhana: HS 08134090 (dried seeds) or HS 19041090 (popped/ready-to-eat snack) depending on processing/ingredients; validate with the CHA at the time of filing.
