‘Phalap-Khah’ – the bitter tea of Tangsa community in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Tangsa community of Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, practices a unique tea processing technique producing a traditional tea product locally known as 'Phalap' or 'Felap' for daily consumption and they believe it to be anti-cancerous and anti-diabetic. A field survey and interview on the age old Phalap preparation was conducted from the local people using semi-structured questionnaire. It was found that Phalap was in use by Tangsa since their unknown past and is found to be mentioned even in their folklores. The detail methods for processing of Phalap has been reflected in this article.