Tea, also known as chai, is very popular in India and worldwide. The plant grows in East Asia, likely starting in the southwest part of China and northern Myanmar. India is the second biggest maker of tea worldwide, just after China. In April 2023, Assam made the most tea in India compared to other places. The next highest producer that year was West Bengal, making about 24 million kilograms of tea. There are lots of types of tea; cooling, slightly bitter, astringent flavour, sweet, nutty, floral, and grassy notes.
Now, let’s look at the top 5 largest tea producing states in India.
What are the top 5 leading tea producing states in India?
1. Assam
Assam is a state in northeastern India. It’s south of the eastern Himalayas, by the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam is quite big, covering 78,438 square kilometers. It’s the second largest state in northeastern India and the one with the most people.
The state of Assam is famous for tea. It’s the biggest tea-growing area globally. Assam sits on both sides of the Brahmaputra River and shares borders with Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and is very close to China. More than half of India’s tea comes from Assam.
Assam tea is black tea named after the region. It’s made from a specific type of tea plant called Camellia sinensis var. Assamica (Masters), which is native to Assam. Attempts to grow other types of tea plants in Assam didn’t work out. Nowadays, Assam tea is mostly grown near sea level. It’s known for its full flavor, briskness, and deep color. Often, teas with Assam in them are called “breakfast” teas, like Irish breakfast tea, which is strong and malty, made from small Assam tea leaves.
2. West Bengal
West Bengal ranks second in major tea production in India. It’s a state in eastern India. Tea production began there 120 to 150 years ago in the Douars region. In 1940, they started making tea gardens in Darjeeling to grow more tea. Now, West Bengal makes about 199 million kgs of tea. Most small tea farmers are in Jalpaiguri, Kishan Ganj, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, and the foothills of Darjeeling. West Bengal makes around 280 million kgs of tea. Companies buy these leaves and make them into tea. Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri are the top tea producers in West Bengal.
3. Tamil Nadu
Let’s talk about Tamil Nadu next. It’s at the bottom of India. In the Nilgiri Hills, they grow tea. The weather and scenery there make the tea taste special. It’s called Nilgiri tea. They grow it in Tamil Nadu. Some places also make green, white, and oolong teas. It’s known for its strong, fragrant taste. People often mix it with other teas or use it for making iced tea and instant tea.
4. Kerala
Kerala is a state in India on the Malabar Coast. Even though it’s not as famous as Assam or Darjeeling for tea, it’s still important. In places like Munnar, they grow tea. Munnar is high up in the mountains, so it’s called the “Kashmir of South India.” Kerala has good weather for growing tea, with the right temperature and rainfall.
5. Karnataka
Karnataka is a state in the southwest of India. It’s known for growing tea in places like Kodagu and Chikmagalur. The weather and soil there are perfect for tea. They make special teas with different flavors. While Karnataka’s tea industry isn’t as big as others, it’s gaining popularity.
Most of the tea is used locally, but there’s interest in selling it abroad. Karnataka focuses on making good quality tea in a sustainable way.
Conclusion
So, these are the top 5 largest tea producing states in India. This shows that India is really good at growing and making lots of types of tea. People everywhere, both in India and in other countries, really like Indian tea, so they buy a lot of it. This helps India make more tea. Because of this, India is the second-biggest tea maker in the world. This is because of all the different kinds of tea they make, with their special flavors and smells, and the mix of spices they use.
FAQs
Q1. What are the 5 states in India that produce tea?
Ans: The 5 states in India that produce tea are Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
Q2. Which Indian state is the world’s largest tea growing region?
Ans: Assam is the world’s largest tea growing region.
Q3. Which state is the second largest tea producer in India?
Ans: West Bengal is the second largest tea producer in India.
Q4. What is Tamil Nadu’s rank in tea production?
Ans: Tamil Nadu ranks third in tea production, with its Nilgiri hills region being notable.
Q5. Which state produces the best tea in India?
Assam is popular for producing the best tea in India, known for its bold flavors from the Brahmaputra region.
