Assam Tea to Celebrate 200 Years in New York

Guwahati: The timeless aroma and legacy of Assam Tea will take center stage at the prestigious Summer Fancy Food Show 2025, to be held at the Jacob Javits Center, New York City, from June 29 to July 1, 2025.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Assam Tea, a milestone that honours the origin, global journey, and economic significance of India’s most iconic brew. The India Pavilion, which will house a specially designed “Tea Lounge”, will be jointly inaugurated by Dr. Ravi Kota, Chief Secretary of Assam, and Ambassador Binaya S. Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, on Sunday, June 29.

At the behest of the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, and initiated and supported by the Consulate General of India in New York, this initiative follows the success of Advantage Assam 2.0 held earlier this year. It aims to not only promote Assam’s rich tea heritage butalso to expand trade and export opportunities in the U.S. market. By bringing together established tea companies, small growers, and innovative startups, the event embodies a unified vision of heritage, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration, fostering deeper economic and cultural ties between the two largest democracies in the world.

The “Assam Tea Lounge” will offer visitors an immersive experience through thoughtfully curated live brewing bars, sommelier-led tasting sessions, and artisan tea pairings with cookies, chocolates, and more. Visitors can explore the evolution of Assam Tea through engaging storytelling sessions, video interviews with tea growers, and showcases on sustainability, women-led cooperatives, and certifications like Rainforest Alliance. The space will also be adorned with Assamese design elements — from visuals of tea gardens and local crafts to musical and dance performances that highlight the state’s rich cultural tapestry.

In celebration of the bicentennial, the booth will also feature a “Masala Chai Cart,” a tea passport giveaway program, and collaboration with partners like “Kolkata Chai Co., Elements Truffles”, and celebrated Indian chefs for dessert and cocktail demos infused with Assam Tea. A special high tea will be hosted for media and social media influencers, helping to boost digital reach. Giveaways, including branded tea pouches, coasters, and "Brew Your Mood" cards, will invite attendees to explore Assam Tea in fun, memorable ways.

The event will also bring together major industry players, including the India Tea Association, Tata Consumer Products Ltd., Goodricke Group, Luxmi Tea, HUL, Woolah Tea, and Aromica Tea, among others, with active participation from the Indian diaspora and global food industry stakeholders. Institutions like the Tocklai Tea Research Institute and platforms like the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) continue to support Assam’s global competitiveness through innovation and transparent trade, stated a press release.

 Also read: India’s tea production rises in April, but Assam sees 8.43%

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