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• Tea Plantations (Wush Wush and Gumero)
• Tea Processing Factory at Plantation Level
• Tea Processing and Packing Factory in Addis Ababa

Tea Plantations

  Historical background of tea plantation in Ethiopia

ECTPM is also involved in the production, blending and packaging of tea.  MIDROC Ethiopia purchased Wush Wush and Gumero Tea Plantations along with Addis Ababa-based Tea Processing Factory in year 2000.  The plantations and the factory were transferred to ECTPM in November 2001. The area under tea plantation is 1249 ha at Wush Wush and 860 ha at Gumero. Total annual tea production has reached 5000 tons.  Introduction of improved production and processing methods is already in progress to increase output both in quality and quantity.  Capacity building in terms of training and the introduction of improved production and processing technique is in place. For this ECTPM has very recently employed two expatriate consultants.

ECTPM is convinced that its Wush Wush and Gumaro Tea is the finest in Ethiopia and comparable to better quality teas from other countries.  Its conviction is borne out by foreign counterparts who, through studies and tests, have confirmed that the claim was indeed right and that the inherent quality of its tea is comparable with the best the best in the region.

The initial aim of the creation of Wush Wush and Gumaro Tea Plantations was to meet the local demand.  But through the establishment of these two plantations the country not only met the local demand but also has more than 1,500 tons of surplus for export.  Thus ECTPM, by improving production and quality, is in the process of expanding the tea export.

Facts and figures about Wush Wush and Gumaro tea plantations

                   *     Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Region

* The eucalyptus wood is used for drying tea at the plantation factories

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Tea Processing Factory at Plantation Level

Tea production involves a number of steps including plucking, withering, crushing, fermentation, firing, cleaning, sorting and grading. In order to accomplish the various processing steps, Gumaro has one while Wush Wush has two tea factories at the Plantation level. ECTPM tea produces are sorted into the following main grades:

Ø      Broken Pekoe (BP and BP1)
Ø      Pekoe Fannings (PF and PF1)
Ø      Pekoe Dust (PD)
Ø      Dust (D and D1)
Ø      Broken Mixed Fanning (BMF), and
Ø      Loose tea

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Tea Processing and Packing Factory in Addis Ababa

ECTPM’s Wush Wush and Gumaro tea is processed and packed in its own plant located in Addis Ababa.  The plant uses four different machines to carryout sorting, blending, grading, cup tasting and then packing.

The cup tasting and blending operation ensures that each blend has good or enhanced flavor and body. To this end, the Cup Tasting Laboratory carries out several measurements and determination tests in line with ISO (International Standardization Organization) parameters and decides on the best blending ratios.  Blending is carried out in a huge blending machine.  No artificial flavoring material is added to further enhance the flavor of ECTPM’s tea produces.  

Packing and Market Brands

The three main brands of black tea (Gumaro, Wush Wush and Addis) are prepared in 100 gm packs.  Addis Tea is also available in immersible 2-gm bags and 25-bag sachettes.  The discerning consumer has thus several types of flavour and body to choose from.

The major brands and packet labeling of Gumaro and Wush Wush tea 

Condiments

To cater to a wide spectrum of tastes, the Addis Ababa Tea Factory also prepares and markets locally small quantities of Tossign (Thymus vulgaris) and chamomile (Matricaria recutita/Chamomilla recutita L).

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