Indian Tea – A Brief Introduction

India is one of the world's largest tea producers; India is a country where tea is popular all over as a breakfast and evening drink. Almost all the tea consumed is black Indian tea. Usually tea leaves are boiled in water while making tea, and milk is added.Offering tea to visitors is a cultural norm in India. Tea has also entered the common idiom so much so that the term "Chai-Pani" ( Tea/Tea and water ) usually refers to salary or wages.

There are several geographically seperated places in India where teas are produced. Namely -

Assam Tea : Assam produces more than half the tea grown in India. This tea grown at sea level is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. Historically, Assam is the second commercial tea production region after China. China and Assam are the only two regions in the world with native tea plants. Assam mainly produces black tea. The Guawati Tea Auction Centre(GTAC) handles mainly assam teas.

Darjeeling Tea : The renowned gardens of Darjeeling produces teas with a distinguishable muscatel flavor and aroma. Grown on steep mountain slopes at elevations of 1,500 to 7,000 feet above sea level, these delicate teas command some of the world¹s highest auction prices. The combination of natural factors that gives Darjeeling tea its unique distinction is not found anywhere else in the world. Darjeeling tea is also known as “the champagne of teas" for its delicate aroma and light colour.

Nilgiri Tea : The Blue Mountains or the Nilgiris are situated in South India. The Nilgiri tea is dark intensely aromatic and flavoured.The tea provides a higher number of cups per measure (technically known as cuppage) because of the Crush, Tear, Curl or CTC process of manufacture. The expensive full leaf versions of the tea like the Orange Pekoe are highly sought after at international auctions making it unaffordable for most locals.



N.B: No one can export tea from India unless he obtains license from Tea Board under the provision of Tea (Distribution & Export) Control Order 1957.