Assam Tea | Tea in Assam |

The name of Assam comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Asom’ that's means ‘one without equal’ and the same can be said about its teas. Home to the origin of Indian Tea, about 170 years ago, Assam is not just famous because of the natural beauty of its tea plantations; due to its lengthy growing season and abundant rainfall, it is also the single largest tea producing region in the world. The distinctive malty, black tea that this region produces is a hot favorite globally.

It is believed that the people of the Bodo tribes of India brought tea into Assam. However they produced it for themselves and didn’t take it outside Assam. It was Robert Bruce, a Scottish explorer who made the startling discovery by noticing the tea plant growing wild in the hills near Rangpur, Assam, in 1823 during his trading mission. Bruce noticed the local Singhpo tribesmen brewing an aromatic concoction from the leaves of the bush and arranged with the tribal chiefs to provide him with samples of the leaves to have them scientifically examined. These tea samples were dispatched to the Botanical Garden at Calcutta for proper identification, where they were labeled as Camellia sinensis, a variation of the original Chinese tea plant. Initially, the British felt that the Assamese plant was inferior to the Chinese variety, but gradually a market for Assam tea started being assessed in London and by 1838, the first consignment of 12 chests of Assam tea was shipped off to London. The Assam Tea industry began to grow rapidly, and by 1862, it comprised of 160 gardens.
The low altitude and tropical weather conditions prevailing in Assam render the tea with its rich, deep-amber colour and strong, malty character, making it the perfect early morning cup. The second flush orthodox Assam teas are prized for their unique taste and bright liquor and are deemed to be one of the choicest teas in the world. One of the most interesting facts about Assam tea gardens is that they do not follow the Indian Standard Time. The local time in Assam’s tea gardens, popularly known as “Tea Garden Time” or Bagantime, is an hour ahead of the IST! This system was introduced during the British era keeping in mind the early sunrise in this part of India. It was found that this system was consequently successful in increasing the productivity of tea garden workers as they save on daylight by finishing the work during daytime, and vice-versa. Working time for tea laborers in the tea gardens of Assam is generally between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Assam is also the only region in the world where tea is grown in the plains and also the only other region apart from Southern China, that grows its own native tea plant. These are just a few reasons that helped Assam Orthodox tea to recently qualify as a Geographical Indication in India.
India’s largest tea research centre managed by the Tea Research Association is located in Jorhat, Assam. This centre, which started back in 1911, has made significant contributions to the growth of Assam tea. Today, Assam has 765 tea estates producing 570 million kg tea annually, accounting for 13% of the global tea production. The highest-grade, Assam teas are harvested in May-June, by which time; the leaves release the spicy, malty character that is so characteristic to Assam tea. Tea grown in Assam is mainly exported to the Russian Federation, UK, Germany, the UAE and USA.

Assam tea is without doubt, ‘love at the first gulp’; even the ever-popular Irish and English Breakfast tea blends are prepared using Assam black tea. One of the advantages of drinking Assam tea is that it can be drunk as a substitute for coffee-its ‘bold’ flavors provide just the right kick of intensity sans the high caffeine content. The aroma and taste of Assam tea is par excellence and occupies a place of pride for the whole of India.