During Soviet times Natela worked at the local State Tea Farm. When long ago she married a village boy her new mother-in-law taught her to pluck tea and, over the years she progressed to field supervisor. Her sister was also a tea worker at the tea factory and was sent to China as part of her training. All the tea produced in Georgia was destined for the samovars of Soviet Russia so while surrounded by tea during the day the factory workers had no tea to drink at home – and security at the factory was strong. However, the fields were unguarded and, like many of their fellow tea workers Natela and her sister would steal green leaf from the bushes at the weekend and hand make tea at home. Just as now the green leaf would be withered in the shade of a farmhouse veranda and when ready would be put into the washing bowl for hand rolling. On to overnight oxidation covered with a damp towel and then out into the strong Georgian summer sun to dry.

Since Georgia’s independence in 1991 Natela has taught a whole new generation of her fellow villagers to hand make tea and many are now members of the Georgian Hand Made Tea Makers Association. Some use small locally made electric powered rolling tables to do the hard work of rolling but Natela still crafts her teas completely by hand. In a year she can produce about 220lbs all of which is purchased by More Tea Ltd. Natela’s granddaughter is now at university and, unlike it was in Soviet times, this is no longer free. With the proceeds of her tea sales Natela is paying her granddaughter’s university fees – when she graduates Natela thinks she may retire – but it’s difficult to believe.

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