The government should instead promote the use of herbal tea in the country.
ISLAMABAD: Tea is one of the most popular drinks in Pakistan. In most countries including China, Iran, Europe, black tea is preferred, whereas in our country milk is added. Pakistan spends millions of dollars worth of foreign exchange on the import of tea. Due to the presence of a strong lobby of importers of tea, local cultivation of tea has been neglected. However, the climate of some districts in the north, such as Swat, is ideal for tea cultivation.
The government should instead promote the use of herbal tea in the country. Only herbal tea should be served in offices and functions. It can be prepared with saunf (fennel seeds), ajwain, babuna, laung (clove), zeera (cumin), elaichi (cardamom), adrak (ginger), darchini (cinnamon) and many other items available in every kitchen. Herbal tea thus prepared is good for health, especially for digestion, stress, depression and obesity.
The use of herbal/green tea would save hard-earned foreign exchange and milk for our children.
Asghar Mahmood
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2012.
