Instant Tea

Instant tea, the term 'instant tea' gives a meaning that it is a 'tea', which can be prepared/used instantaneously. Merely because the product is known as 'instant tea', it does not cease to be known commercially as 'tea'. Whether tea is consumed as hot beverage or a cold beverage depending upon one's liking and taste, it does not make any difference in deciding whether it is a tea falling within the definition of s. 3(n) of the Act. Preparation of tea and the process of manufacture of 'instant tea' powder cannot take away 'instant tea' out of definition of 'tea' under the Act, CCE v. Tata Tea Ltd., AIR 2002 SC 2046 (2047). [Tea Act, 1953, ss. 3(n) and 25]