WONOSOBO - Tea in Indonesia cannot be separated from the history of the Dutch East Indies colonial government. They brought tea from Japan and China as a commercial commodity, then it was finally developed in Indonesia. Other than learning the history of tea in Indonesia, dozens of foreign students from various countries participating in the Short Course titled "Tea From Plantation To Table" also learned the tea processing. The annual event held by UPT Language and International Service UPN Veteran Yogyakarta (UPNVY) for two days (7-8 / 8/2017) was attended by agriculture students from Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia and host of UPNVY.

For two days the participants were taught various materials about the history of tea, the process of planting tea, the production, and the selling to the consumers. The training materials were guided by agricultural experts from the University of Gajah Mada, Eka Tarwaca Susila Putra, SP, M.Sc, P.Hd. Ir. Arman Wijonarko, M.Sc.

In this training, the process of tea processing involved several stages. It started from  the picking and ended with the maintenance. The way tea being prepared to be consumed had relatively similar stages with little variation although each type of tea had different taste, smell, and shapes.

The head of UPNVY International Language and Service Unit, Dr. Ir. RR. Rukmowati Brotodjojo, M.Agr said that in addition to give experience for students, this activity could provide an understanding of the history of tea plantations in Indonesia.

"Indonesia has a long history of tea, we want to pass it on to students. Not only to be enjoyed, but also tea can tell you about the farmers who planted it until it is being presented in the cup, " said Rukmo at UPN Babarsari office.

In addition to studying in the classroom, the participants were also invited to have a tour  in the tea plantation in Tambi, Wonosobo. Here they were taught to know various types of tea, nursery process, drying process, milling, quality sorting and packaging.

The participants were also introduced to the history and culture of Indonesia by visiting Borobudur Temple. (sunndari-UPT Language / editor: wike / humas)