ASSAM

THE ORIGIN:

Assam is a region in Northern India, famous for its bold, malty teas. This low-lying region is home to vast tea gardens that stretch beyond the eye can see. 

Its tea story began under British colonial rule, when workers from other provinces were moved to Assam to run the tea plantations. Unfortunately, these colonial vestiges have resulted in a modern Assam with ethical problems and huge power imbalances between workers and the plantations. Chemical use is high due to the humid, tropical climate.

In recent years, some people in Assam have taken matters into their own hands. Small growers are taking up a larger proportion of the industry, and learning how to do quality tea. As they gain knowledge and expertise, these growers are able to earn a living for themselves and use more sustainable agricultural techniques. 

THE GROWERS: 

Heritage Tea Assam in Dibrugarh, Assam

Heritage Tea Assam is a network of small growers, led by former Unilever tea manager Rajen Baruah. Rajen is using his decades of tea experience to empower tea growers, sharing his knowledge of tea and his understanding of the tea industry with local farmers. 

At Heritage, the small farmers, teapickers, and teamakers gain knowledge on quality plucking standards, vermicomposting, and specialty tea crafting to help them earn more for their efforts. This is a vast improvement to the current system in Assam, which does not reward the efforts of quality, all-natural growers and teamakers. 

 >> Learn more about Heritage Tea Assam. 

Kanoka Tea Estate in Sonitpur, Assam

Kanoka Tea Estate is a small family farm that focuses on natural agriculture, using vriksayurvedic techniques to preserve the land. The Nath Family leads a very small team of local workers, providing them job security by training them in quality tea. Unlike typical Assam teas, their teas are all completely crafted by hand.  

 >> Learn more about Kanoka Tea Estate.

THE EXPERIENCE:

In the Assam segment, we will be at the heart of the fight for ethical, quality teas in India. Despite the popularity of the region, many people are not aware of the issues here, so this provides a valuable, real-world glimpse into the big tea industry.

Meet the people who are pushing the boundaries of Assam tea, and see how small growers can become empowered by quality tea. Understand how various tea techniques result in different tea types, and see experimental teas in the process of development.   

Heritage Tea Assam's Heritage Firewood Green.

>> Back to The Amazing Tea Race.