JHARKHAND & BIHAR, INDIA, September 11, 2006: When Ken Hunt, a business advisor to UK Trade & Investment South Asia’s unit, was served his first cup of tea in a kulhar or earthern cup on a train trip in India, he was immediately sold on the idea. Hunt explains, “When I inquired about it, the tea hawkers said that the earthen cups were reintroduced by Lalu Prasad, known for his rustic ways. I used to travel by train during my visits in the past, too, but I was always served tea or coffee in plastic cups. Only this time was I served tea in an earthen cup. I enjoyed the tea for its different taste and appreciated the idea and logic behind Lalu’s move. I was told by several people that earthen cups are an age-old thing in many parts of India, and a particularly backward community, the potters, would earn their livelihood by making them.” Hunt wants to introduce the concept of earthen cups on British railways as they are environmentally friendly and would also generate income for potters back in India. However, even though Hunt enjoys the taste of tea served in the clay cups, he is not sure if the people of Britain will support his new venture as the tea does taste slightly different and also has a different aroma when served in the earthen cups or kulhar.
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