18 Tea Estates of Assam: Everything to Know About Assam Tea Gardens

Enchanting Tea Estates of Assam:

Here is the list of 17 popular assam tea gardens/estate. Check here...

1. Halmari Tea Estate:

Location: Moran District, Assam | Area: 374 hectares | Owned By: Daga Family

Halmari Tea Estate is situated in the beautiful district of Moran, Assam. This tea garden is one of the steering tea producers. Its popularity is not only known in Assam but also across the country. It has its existence for over a century leading to great experience and mastery in tea-production. The estate covers a total landmass of 534 hectares.

The quantity of tea manufactured in the estate is remarkable for its variant in tea. Besides, it does not have any time restraint in its availability as the purchasing of these teas is possible in the entire year. The credit for the same goes to the facility of online shopping provided by the company. This, ultimately, provides the company with a vast number of clienteles. It makes sure to cater to the requirements of the domestic markets after that it fulfils the necessities required by the international markets.

The production and maintenance of the best quality tea is always the most important concern of Halmari Tea Estate. The estate employs extremely knowledgeable and experienced specialists for the proper processing of tea starting from the plucking phase to the packaging phase. A duration of 5 or 6 days is assigned for the plucking stage.

The major reason behind the participation of a huge number of buyers in the auction is the texture and distinct taste found in the tea produced in Halmari. Not only remarkable buyers are seen in the auction but also well-known high tea-trading nations are involved in it. This displays the status of Halmari Tea Estate as one of the top tea producers and traders.

The estate produces CTC along with Orthodox teas. Moreover, teas produced here are offered in highly reputed and dignified hotels all over the world. Their teas also come in a variation of prices. The five tea varieties that received the highest bid in the tea-auction belong to Halmari Tea Estate.

2. Mangalam Tea Estate:

Location: Sibsagar, Assam  |  Area: 118-hectares | Owner: Not Known

Amidst the Sivasagar district of Assam, there exists a remarkable tea-estate named Mangalam Tea Estate. The total area of the entire tea garden is 118 hectares. The tea plants are planted close to each other resulting in a distinct tea plantation pattern. The estate produces a smoother tea compared to the production of the other estates. This is what makes Mangalam Tea Estate unique and popular.

The structure of the tea estate is designed in such a way that it creates no hindrance in working. The estate also provides roads after each one acre of tea plantation so that it becomes easier to access and to have efficient working in the tea garden.

The teas produced in Mangalam Tea Estate are of extremely good quality. This is why both the Orthodox and CTC teas of the estate receive high prices contributing immensely to the state's monetary value. Its Orthodox teas have gained huge popularity in the German markets.

Accessibility

The route to the estate is easily accessible without many barriers as it is only 37 kilometers away from NH-37. Also, one can take the means of railway route because the distance between the nearest railway station, Bhojo, and the tea estate are 12 kilometers. The estate is also awarded for its high production and sales of good quality tea in sibsagar. It was awarded by the Tea Board.

Types of Tea Products

The types of teas produced here are not limited to Orthodox and CTC teas. It also manufactures Green Tea. Also, the black tea production in the estate has bright golden tips. These features give a unique distinction to its tea. These make it different from the remaining teas, manufactured by different tea estates. This has also led to gaining immense fame and it created a unique identification of the estate.

3. Corramore Tea Estate:

Location: Udalguri, District Darrang  |  Area: 480 hectares | Owned By: Robert Logan from Scotland

Corramore Tea Estate is in the Udalguri district of Assam. It is located in the Bodoland Territorial Region of North-eastern India. From Udalguri town, the distance is approximately 21.5 km. From Guwahati, the route to Corramore Tea Estate is easy and covers only 123 km.

The Corramore Tea garden was founded by Robert Logan from Scotland in the 1860s. The estate was under a family heritage for over 120 years. The term 'Corramore' came from the Gaelic words "Corrie" which means 'cleft' and "mor" meaning 'big'. This name was given by the Logans because their farm in Lanarkshire was named the same.

The year 1993 is marked as the most remarkable for Corramore as it created a benchmark in the production of tea that weighed around 983,568 kg. The better production was a result of the enhanced field practices and the suitable weather.

Carramore tea estate is close to Bhutan and provides a picturesque glimpse of the Kaziranga Hills. It is one of the eye-catching sites in Udalguri. One can find a huge number of majestic tea estates in the district that include Ambika Tea Estate, Bateli Tea Estate, and so on.

Its scenic beauty is incredibly mesmerising. The maintenance of roads, tea gardens, and all the other amenities are extremely good. The greenery of the environment is incredibly soothing.

Unfortunately, the beauty of this place has been disrupted by the constant unethical practices of people. The throwing of garbage, bottles, plastics, etc. in and around the place is extremely disheartening. The beauty of the Corramore Tea Estate will be preserved if we stop practicing actions that harm the same. Hence, this tea estate holds a lot of historical significance. Because of its varieties of flora and fauna, it has turned to be a captivating spot.

4. Monabari Tea Estate - Largest Tea Garden of Assam

Location: Biswanath Chariali district, Assam | Area: 1367.38 hectares | Owned By: McLeod Russel India Limited

Monabari tea garden is situated in the Biswanath Chariali district, Assam. It is the largest tea estate in Asia. Hence, it carries a lot of prestige in the entire Asian continent for tea-production. McLeod Russel India Limited, which is a part of Williamson Magor Group, owns this tea estate. It is continuously growing with an astounding increase in productivity.

The estate entails a profitable value for the company and provides a spectacular view. It has both high monetary and scenic value. Also, a favourable working environment for its employees increases the overall productivity in the estate.

The total land coverage of the estate is 1367.38 hectares out of which almost 1158 hectares are for tea plantation. The production of Reddish Bright Color tea has also contributed to its popularity. The distance from the main town of Biswanath Chariali is only 10-12 kilometers. Also, the distance between Guwahati city and the tea estate is 252 kilometers.

The Monabari Tea Estate has four segments. These segments are named as- New Line, Old Line, Lahori Jan, and BehuPukri. The factory area is restricted to general people. However, the view of the enticing greenery of the estate on both sides of the highway makes one's journey all the more peaceful and enjoyable.

Facilities

The estate has all the necessary amenities for the welfare of its workers. These facilities include the provision of a hospital within the premises. All the amenities can be found inside the campus hence making the lives of the people residing and working there a comfortable one. The maintenance of the property is remarkable which creates a serene, clean and calm environment.

How to Visit & Why to Visit?

A visit to such a place fills an individual with an understanding of the tea-making process, the hard work involved in it, and the lives of the people working there. The local transport system makes the journey to the estate an easy one. To reach the estate, one can opt for local buses which are available from Tezpur city to Monabari.

5. Amchong Tea Estate:

Location: Panbari Mouza, Kamrup district, Assam  |  Area: 1782 acres  |  Owner: Not Known

The Amchong Estate is situated in Panbari Mouza in the Kamrup district of Assam. The journey from Guwahati city to the estate covers only 20 minutes. The total land covered by the estate is 1782 acres. Amchong Tea Estate receives its popularity due to its finest tea production in the entire region. Generally, the estate manufactured only CTC tea exclusively. Such a method involves the processing of tea leaves under cylindrical rollers several times. These rollers consist of sharp blades that crush, tear and curl the tea leaves into small, hard pellets resulting in black tea.

However, in 2015, as the modern era demands more variety, they introduced Orthodox tea to their product line. Its production procedure includes the plucking, withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying of tea leaves. Annually, the estate has the potential of producing 1,000,000 kilograms of tea. The figure for production is increasing tremendously with time. The sales of their Orthodox tea are splendid and have acquired a high demand at the auctions.

Interested buyers can directly approach the estate for the freshest tea at a favorable price. The employees in the estate are extremely well educated and experienced which has made them experts in handling and processing teas. Equipped with technical knowledge and sheer energy they ensure that the best quality tea is delivered to the customers. They do so by properly guiding and over-serving the staff through the entire process of tea-production resulting in less or no errors. Such dedication of the Amchong Tea garden members enhances the tea quality and increases customer satisfaction.

The contribution of the estate is not limited only to tea production. It has also partaken in the infrastructural development of the region. They also rendered improvements to the road so that the extent of mobility and safety is increased. Thus, Amchong Tea Estate tries to benefit society where it can.

6. Sapoi Tea Estate:

Location: Sonitpur District, Assam  |  Area: 2600 acres   |   Owner:  Not Known

Sapoi Tea Estate covers 2600 acres of ancestral land. It is situated in the beautiful land of Sonitpur District, Assam. The estate has been existing for over a century. The product quality is quite evident and displays the ancestral values in it. The closest enticing site to the estate is the river Brahmaputra. Visitors can explore the beautiful scenic view with cars or they can cycle around the estate and enjoy their ride.

The procedures of tea plantation and harvest techniques are explained with great enthusiasm by the tea estate workers. Visits to their factories are not restricted to the general people. It enlightens the visitors regarding the entire tea-making procedure.

Sapoi Tea garden is famous not only for its production of good quality tea but also for the alternative to stay there and experience nature. For a long period, Sapoi tea resort has been hosting people. It still continues the tradition where people get ample opportunity to spend their time amid the serene environment within the estate. The bungalows are built in between the tea plantations. This, in turn, gives one a magnificent sense of being linked with nature.

Staying there provides opportunities to learn farm-related activities. Tour of the factory where tea is manufactured, undoubtedly, creates an amazing experience for the visitors. The tasting of the tea is an add-on to the list. In the tea estate, people are also taught how to pick tea leaves. Not only that, but the system of making green tea from scratch is also explained and showed which, certainly, not to be missed.

There is also a provision to get a tour of the local organic farm in Sapoi tea garden. It enlightens one about the harvesting of handmade tea and its processing. In short, the tea estate has an extravagant environment full of lustrous greenery. It shows an organic way of living in a quiet, soothing, and comforting setting.

7. Manohari Tea Estate:

Location: Dibrugarh, Assam  | Area: 340.12 hectares | Owner: Not Known

Dibrugarh district in Assam provides an opportunity to experience life in tea estates. It is remarkable as it has an incredible tea estate named Manohari Tea Estate. It is famous as the tea city of Assam as it is the portal to the three tea-producing districts that include Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Sivasagar.

Manohari Tea Estate is famous for the most expensive variety of specialty tea. This specialty tea is Manohari Gold which is a new variant of tea. It has gained tremendous popularity in a short time, more prominently in the health and fitness world. The tea estate was successful in providing tea that has several health benefits. These benefits made Manohari Gold a favorite go-to beverage for those who are concerned about their health and fitness. Such a record has played a pivotal part in shaping the future and value of the tea industry in the region.

In figures, the manohari tea garden has achieved a splendid record by making sales of Rs. 39,001 per kg for Manohari Gold Special at the 2018 tea auction. The tradition of such a record was maintained by the estate since then. It continued to break the record again in consecutive years by selling their rare variety of tea at Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 75,000 per kg in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

No doubt, the special tea has received a lot of recognition but its production is a tedious and time-consuming process. This variant of tea is special as it is handmade. Also, the complete procedure is quite costly. Moreover, the Manohari Tea Estate has taken the initiative to create Estate Workers Welfare Trust. The objective of the Trust is to appraise the children of the garden workers who did well in their studies. This act portrays that the workers of the estate are well taken care of.

8. Nagrijuli Tea Estate:

Location: Baksa District, Assam  |  Area: 604.62 hectares | Owner: Not Known

Nagrijuli Tea Estate is located in the Baksa district of Assam. It is a region in the northwest of Assam where the major inhabitants belong to the Bodo community. The Nagrijuli Tea Estate is filled with a mesmerising ambiance which makes the place even more attractive.

The term 'Nagrijuli' has been taken from the word "Narchi-Juri", in the local language, it means 'eternal spring'. The teas of the estate have a stimulating and refreshing quality of perpetual spring. It gained popularity for its production of CTC teas in the domestic prime quality market. The tea of Nagrijuli is unique for the sappy bright liquor found in its Orthodox teas. It has the ability to produce both exceptional quality Orthodox and CTC tea.

This estate is bestowed with an excellent climatic condition which is extremely suitable for the expansion and growth of teas in abundance. One can find a variety of flora and fauna in the estate along with the famous river Barnadi which added to the charm of the place. The entire tea estate resembles an enormous forest composed of small trees. As time passed by, the tea manufacturing process has also evolved. Traditionally, seeds were re-planted to grow tea but, at present, it is done by using cuttings from selected plants. The cuttings are then planted on nursery beds for a few months after which they will be shifted to the main plantation.

Baksa district has enough tourist attraction because of its popular sites that include Manas National Park and Tiger Project located at the western part of the district, Manas Soushi Khongkhor, an eco-tourism spot, located in the middle part of Baksa, Moina Pukhuri adjacent to the India-Bhutan boundary and Bogamati on the bank of the river Barnadi. These world-famous sites grab the attention of the visitors which also directs its attention towards the lustrous greenery of the Nagrijuli Tea Estate.

9. Nonoi Tea Estate:

Location: Nagaon District, Assam  |  Area: 959.17  |  Owner:  Not Known

The wonderful Nonoi Tea estate is situated in the Nagaon district of Assam. The estate got its name from the influence of the British people. In their colloquial language, they referred to 'waterfalls' as Nonoi. The distance from Nagaon to the estate is only 35 kilometers. It covers an area of 959.17 hectares.

The Nonoi Tea Estate is divided into three divisions. These divisions include- Old Salna which covers 239.82 hectares, Rungamutte covering an area of 156.32 hectares, and Nonoi which sprawls over 136.76 hectares. The estate is also known by a local name which is 'Rangamatti'.

The establishment of the tea estate, according to the earliest records, took place in the early 1940s. Hence, it has an ancient touch in it. Only a few tea estates took the initiative of creating a poly-packaging center amidst which Nonoi Tea garden is one. It established the center in 1993. This tea estate is also considered to be the first in adopting diverse efforts to sustain. These diversifications consist of setting up fisheries and cultivation of Assam lemon.

The estate handles the international market by producing Orthodox teas and the domestic market by manufacturing CTC teas. At the poly-packaging centers, the products are manually handled and packed separately in large quantities for the purpose of the auction as well as a private sale.

The number of permanent employees in the estate is around 976. Along with that, they employ more than 1310 temporary employees for more help during the peak season. The estate also has all the necessary amenities inside the premises. These amenities include the provision of hospitals and dispensaries. It also runs two schools along with the two government primary schools for the children.

The estate makes sure that they contribute towards protecting the environment. Their measures include the usage of vermicompost from biodegradable scrub and cattle manure. Moreover, soil analysis is a yearly task for the maintenance of the same.

10. Jalinga Tea Estate:

Location: Cachar District, Assam  |  Area: 656.96 hectares | Owner: Not Known

Jalinga Tea Estate is situated in the district of Cachar, Assam. The total area of the tea garden is 1644.19 hectares. Amongst the total area, 656.96 hectares is used for the production of tea. The age of the garden is over 100 years. The estate has three divisions which are Jalinga, Kalacherra, and Dwarbund.

The estate provides a panoramic view filled with lustrous greenery all around. The entire atmosphere of the place is extremely soothing. However, as it is located in Cachar, the estate faced a lot of barriers in the production of tea. This is because Cachar is a low yield place as it produces a little and, thus, gives a low return. Such a crisis arises due to its constant termite problem and sandy soil. Also, it has an average quality and low export potential. Because of this hardship, they shifted to organic farming. Organic farming was under Inhana Rational Farming Technology. The estate made such a decision to embrace a system that is more scientific in which the usage of chemical farming is not an option.

In short, the production of tea in Jalinga Tea Estate does not comprise of chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides. The entire production is completely organic in nature. Annually, the estate produces approximately 6000 MT of in-house compost. Another productive measure taken by the estate is that they conserve 400 acres of the forest there.

Achievements:

Their achievement is remarkable for consistent higher average crop production. The tea produced in the estate has a high anti-oxidant value which increases its superiority in the market. Moreover, reputed National and International laboratories have confirmed that their production is free from pesticide residues. Jalinga Tea Estate has its goals fixed. It focuses on the development of super teas which are Organic Caffeine, Organic Assam Chai, Spice Tea, and many more.

11. Mornai Tea Estate:

Location: Kokrajhar District, Assam  |  Area: 1644.19 hectares  | Owned By: Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC)

Amidst the land of Kokrajhar, there lies a magnificent tea estate name Mornai Tea Estate. It is a lone tea estate found at the border of Assam and West Bengal. It is a property of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC). It is a religious Christian organisation. The Mornai tea Estate is an important element for the economy of NELC for its production.

History

There are a total of five divisions of the estate. These divisions comprise Mornai Main, Kalaghat, Paushpur, Thakurpur, and Grahampur. All the divisions are in close proximity to each other. However, the entire estate is restricted in width due to the two rivers namely Moranai and Bao-nai. The estate was named after the river Moranoi which flows through it and ends up at the river BaoNoi. However, it is a major concern for the estate that the low banks supporting tea are vulnerable to floods due to the rivers.

Facilities for Workers

In Mornai Tea garden, the workers are provided with wages periodically after 15 days but for permanent members, the wage is monthly basis. Yet, a labor's daily wage is so less that it becomes almost impossible to take care of the entire family. This is why more than one member of the family gets engaged in the same work. [For More: Sanction Letters Distributed to The Mornai Tea Estate Tea Workers]

Nonetheless, the estate has the provision of a hospital and a dispensary for the workers and their families. The hospital consists of two doctors, nurses, health assistants, and so on. Also, there is the availability of water supply and sanitation technology. The tea estate also has amenities for weather protection. These amenities comprise basic things such as umbrellas, raincoat, blanket, and a pair of footwear for each labour. In brief, Mornai Tea Estate has a proper livelihood condition. In addition, the production of tea as well as its quality is remarkable.

12. Amsoi Tea Estate (earlier Meragarh Tea Estate):

Location: Nagaon district, Assam  |  Area: 134.11 hectares  | Owner: Not Known

Amsoi Tea Estate is located in Nagaon district of Assam. Earlier, the estate was named Meragarh Tea Estate. However, it is still known with the former name in the government record. The estate was called Amsoi in 1956 when Mr. Manohar Lal Mahindra and Mr. Mohan Lal Malpani took the proprietorship of the garden. Amidst the tea garden, there exists a tea factory to make tea from green leaves.

There are two small divisions of the tea garden in Amsoi. Both the gardens run in the name of Sri Krishna Tea Company Private Limited. In Morigaon district, another small tea garden is run by the same company. This small tea garden is known as Mukesh Bug. Almost one thousand workers are engaged in different categories of works in the two gardens.

How to Reach/Connectivity:

To reach Sri Krishna Tea Company Private Limited, one has to travel through the Amsoi Forest road from the 37th National Highway. The forest road is connected to the highway at Dharamtul of Morigaon district. Amsoi tea division will be the reached foremost through this route.

The plantation land for Amsoi Tea Estate covers 134.11 hectares. The beautiful structure and mesmerising natural beauty of the estate would please the visitors. Also, a temple of Lord Hanuman is situated in the entrance gate of the tea garden creating a religious ambiance.

In the estate, towards the southern sector of the factory, a beautiful old structured bungalow can be seen. This bungalow is utilized by the proprietor and their guests as a rest house. An interesting fact about the bungalow is that it was, according to an executive officer of the garden, built by a British founder of the garden in 1856. Presumably, after the clean-up of the forest, the British person started plantation of teas in 1884.

13. Tippuk Tea Estate:

Location: Tinsukia District, Assam | Area: 134.11 hectares | Owned By: James Warren Tea

Tippuk Tea Estate is located in Doom Dooma under Tinsukia district of Assam. It was the latest tea garden to join the family of James Warren Tea. This estate is known for its production of excellent black and Orthodox tea. It is renowned for the best quality CTC which is enjoyed in western India.

During the pandemic, Tippuk Tea Estate was paying full wages to their workers as per the understanding between the association and the union. The tea garden workers were paid Rs.500 per week starting from the month of March in 2020.

The tea estate manufactures top-quality CTC and Orthodox teas. These productions are popular with customers both in the Indian domestic market and international markets such as Germany, UK, the USA, and the Middle East. The company, James Warren Tea, focuses on improving its turnover by increasing yield and improving quality. To do so, substantial investment is made into uprooting and replanting. Also, the estate doesn't purchase bought leaves for maintaining good quality, sustainability, and traceability. The tea produced in the estate is EU MRL compliant. In addition, it is, along with the remaining tea estates under James Warren tea, partners in the Ethical tea Partnership (ETP).

Tea production is one of the fundamental industries of Assam. It plays a pivotal part by contributing to the economy of the state. The tea estate also gives ample opportunity for employment to the people as a large number of workers are engaged in the tea industry.

Facilities:

The tea plantation workers and their families in the estate are provided with housing facilities. Moreover, they enjoy other amenities such as medical facilities, educational facilities, and so on. They are also procured with social security benefits that include terminal benefits, insurance, etc. This, in turn, increases the satisfaction of the employees which results in high productivity.

14. Hattigor Tea Estate:

Location: Udalguri District, Assam | Area: 1360.70 hectares | Owned By: Tea & Land Company (India) Ltd

Hattigor Tea Estate is situated in the area of Udalguri, Assam. It was set up in the year 1893. Before being a tea estate, it was used for trapping elephants. Moreover, the literal translation of the estate's name was 'elephant' and 'trench'. The total coverage of land by the estate is 1360.70 hectares. The plantation of tea covers 977.21 hectares. In this te estate, the capacity of tea production is 2.5 lakh kilograms of CTC tea and Orthodox tea.

The plucking season, here, starts from March till December. After plucking fresh leaves from the garden, the processing of it is carried out in the factory which is located inside the estate. The entire procedure is manually handled and sorted. The processed tea is then packed in PP woven sacks, sealed, and marked with hand rollers using non-porous ink.

Ownership

Tea and Land Company (India) Ltd. was the first to start planting teas in this estate. During the early eighties, Tata Tea took over the establishment which was later handed over to the reins of Hattigor Tea Estate.

Facilities to Labours 

The sum total of actual labourers that Hattigor employs is 1507. The workforce of the place comprises people who migrated from different regions of the country such as Orissa, Bihar, etc. The workers living there also enjoy the facility of a hospital with a capacity of 69 beds. Thus, the worry of medical treatment is tremendously reduced. Moreover, to maintain proper sanitation, scientifically designed drains have been built to discard sewage waste from their quarters.

The estate is not only concerned for its workers but also contributes enough towards the betterment and preservation of the environment. The preventive measures that they adopt include proper disposal of the chemical wastes and hospital garbage on yearly basis through government-certified agencies. Also, the estate reduced the usage of inorganic fertilizers by implementing the uses of bio-fertilizers.

15. Beesakopie Tea Estate:

Location: Tinsukia District, Assam | Area:  N.A.   |  Owned By: McLeod Russel India Limited

In the Tinsukia district of Assam, close to the Burmese border, the beautiful Beesakopie Tea Estate is located. The texture of tea produced here carries a unique taste found only in Assam teas. The reason behind this is the frequent occurrence of heavy rainfall and also due to a hot and humid day-time temperature that creates a perfect environment for the cultivation and manufacturing of such high-quality tea.

Beesakopie Tea Estate is said to be the third-largest tea estate in India. It is also home to one of the largest tea factories in the state of Assam. The tea made here marked its presence globally.

This tea garden is under McLeod Russel India Limited. It is tremendously popular for producing well-balanced tea with a rapid infusion. The tea produced here is CTC which means that it undergoes the production method of cut, tear and curl.

The authority of the tea estate prefers to employ more temporary workers than permanent workers. The reason behind this would be that the estate authority doesn't want to allocate all the facilities and amenities to a huge number of permanent labourers. Also, it reduces the entire cost structure as the temporary workers don't get the basic housing and medical facilities.

Facilities

The permanent employees of the estate several benefits provided by the estate, such as rice, wheat, tea, etc. on monthly basis. The estate has two primary schools for the educational fulfillment of the children. The garden authority also provides proper sanitation facilities to their permanent workers.

In Beesakopie tea garden, there exists a single central hospital that takes care of 10 tea gardens near the region of Doom Dooma. It has also been noticed that quite a few patients from other tea gardens are admitted to the lone health center of Beesakopie. This is the reason why the infrastructure of Beesakopie Central hospital is not sufficient enough to cater to all their needs.

16. Borbam Tea Estate:

Location:  Sivasagar & Jorhat district, Assam  |  Area: N.A.  | Owned By: Not Known

Borbam Tea Estate is situated between Sivasagar district and Jorhat district. It was established in the year 1865. This tea estate is near the river Brahmaputra. The location of the estate is on the higher grounds on the banks of the river. This is how it derived its name as Borbam because the literal meaning of the estate's name is 'high ground'.

The estate is divided into two divisions. These divisions are called Baghjan and Hulwating. Sir William Mckercher, the first manager of Borbam Tea Estate, invented the CTC machine. The estate also has a connection with Col. Sir James Buckingham. He performed his role as the Chairman of the Assam Branch of the Indian Tea Association for a prolonged tenure of time.

Its pride doesn't stop there. This estate is ranked as one of the best CTC gardens in Assam. The production of tea in the Borbam Tea Estate gained international recognition. Also, the estate maintains a firm hold over the domestic premium markets in the nation by maintaining high-quality tea production.

The estate is known for its production of bright, strong CTC tea. This specialty tea is called Borbam Delight Assam Tea which is a type of black tea. Most people prefer having black tea due to its antioxidant properties which help in preventing many health issues that may include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stress, and many more.

Specialities & Facilities to Labours

The factory as well as its surrounding area is extremely clean and well maintained. This indicates the hygiene factor of their tea products. The estate also looks after its employees, labourers, and their families. Proper housing facilities are allocated to the permanent working labourers. Provision of schools is also available for the children to make sure that they have no barrier in their education. The name of the school in the tea estate is Borbam T.G. LPS Primary School. It is located in the Amguri block. In short, Borbam Tea Estate is effective in catering to the requirements of its customers and its workers.

17. Borpatra Tea Estate:

Location: Sivasagar district, Assam | Area: N.A. | Owned By: Not Known 

Borpatra Tea Estate is found in the Sivasagar district of Assam. Due to its proximity to the famous wildlife sanctuary known as Panidihing Wildlife Sanctuary, it enjoys a heterogeneity of exotic and raw flora and fauna. The entire scenic value is immensely intensified because of its surrounding.

The estate has also gained a name for its contribution to the betterment of the environment. The estate has taken necessary measures to manage its waste management system. Advanced and proper waste management techniques have been used by them. Their efforts against anti-poaching are also commendable. Anti-poaching is an act of countering or preventing the poaching of wildlife. It can generally be stated as one's efforts against the illegal deeds done to the wildlife. Besides, the estate has also adopted sustainable agricultural practices. Thus, Borpatra Tea Estate directs its focus on the manufacturing of long-term productivity but with less impact on the natural habitat.

The tea garden also maintains the economic stability of the plantation land and also helps the farmers to improvise their techniques and standard of life. They also maintain that renewable energy is used for processing and production. These efforts taken by Borpatra Tea Estate have been acknowledged and appreciated by the Tea Board of India and the media.

The nature of tea produced in the estate reflects the regional influence along with the intense labour of the workers. The entire surrounding of the estate is extremely picturesque. The estate has also gained fame for its production of good quality green tea, Assam tea, etc. The finely rolled green tea comprises a light texture along with a beautiful flavor and aroma. Also, it gives a rich taste and more health benefits. The flavor-full tea produced here boosts immunity and even maintains the proper condition of health related to the heart and brain. However, the presence of caffeine, along with its effects on relieving stress, may not be good for everyone.

18 Seleng Tea Estate:

Location: Bhogdoi, Jorhat district, Assam | Area: N.A. | Owned By: Not Known

Seleng Tea Estate is located in the district of Jorhat, Assam. It is one of the primary cities of Assam. It derives its name from two bazaars namely 'Masorhaat' and 'Sowkihaat'. It is situated near the river Bhogdoi. The tea estate is near the Selenghat Police Station. Jorhat has three sub-divisions that include Jorhat, Majuli, and Titabor. The estate has a low topography. One can reach the estate by taking the means of Jorhat Railway Station or Bhalukmara Railway Station.

Their Tea Products

Seleng Tea Estate produces both CTC and Orthodox types of teas. Here, the tea produced is popular for its robust flavor. The estate also consists of indigenous tea plants named Camellia sinensis var. Assamica. Moreover, the estate provides ample opportunities to people for earning a livelihood. Almost one out of five people are employed in the tea estate.

The estate has an ideal climate for tea production. The day-time temperature is hot and humid. Also, the abundance of heavy rainfall makes the place more suitable for the manufacturing of high-quality tea. It produces a high amount of each year contributing to the monetary value of the region.

It is evident that the tea estate is an essential industry in the state which carries both monetary and scenic value. Since the tea produced here is carried out through the use of the CTC method, the production cost of such tea becomes less and as such, it is within reach to all economic categories. Thus, the Assam tea produced here becomes affordable and appreciated by all.

Splendid Location

The tea estate also has other advantages. It is a beautiful spot surrounded by lustrous greenery all around. The entire place creates a splendid view for the visitors. The benefits of tea cannot be limited to these. One can see how it caters to the elementary health needs of an individual. For instance, it is immensely helpful in maintaining health conditions. Along with that, It also removes lethargy and make our brain more active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many tea gardens are there in Assam?

Ans- There are approximately 800+ tea gardens. These tea gardens are found in 27 districts of the state. Besides having a large number of tea estates, the state also consists of a huge number of small tea gardens which increases the overall figure of gardens producing tea in Assam. A few names of these districts include- Sivasagar, Tinsukia, Golaghat, KarbiAnglong, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, and many more. This is often why Assam is contemplated as one of the largest tea-manufacturing belts. It manufactures more than 400 million kilograms of tea annually.

The tea gardens here cover a landmass of around 2,16,2000 hectares. Assam tea has a sturdy hold over the Indian domestic market. The secret behind such a sturdy hold is the texture of tea produced in Assam. It has a robust taste and a powerful aroma with a burgundy-reddish hue to it. The emergence of tea plantations in Assam dates back to the phase of British rule.

Along with tea production, the tea gardens of Assam are also prominent for their beautiful and amazing spots. The lustrous greenery in the gardens is extremely pleasing to the eyes. It also offers employment opportunities to both women and men. These tea gardens become the source of earning their livelihood.

Every year over a thousand tourists come across from foreign countries to see and experience the splendid tea and the beautiful scenary of the tea gardens of Assam. These aspects of the tea gardens of Assam make India the second largest producer of tea after China.

Q. Which is the biggest tea garden in Assam?

Ans - Monabari Tea Estate is the biggest tea garden in Assam (in fact largest tea estate of Asia). This tea garden is managed by McLeod Russels Tea Company. Besides, this company is a part of the Willaimson Magor Group. It is situated in Biswanath Chariali district, Assam. The area covered by the estate is 1367.38 hectares out of which a huge part, i.e., 1158 hectares is used for tea plantation.

Monabari tea garden is also known for its production of Reddish Bright Color tea. There are four divisions of the garden. These divisions are New Line, Old Line, Lahori Jan, and NehuPukri. This tea garden doesn't only provide a profitable value to its members but also displays a high scenic value. The splendid greenery of the tea garden gives a very pleasing atmosphere to the visitors. The travel to Monabari Tea Garden is an easy one as it is only 10-12 kilometers from the town of Biswanath Chariali. Also, it is approximately 90 kilometers away from Guwahati city.

One can visit the garden, however, the entry to the factory is limited only to its workers. Moreover, they cater to all the necessary needs of their employees. The tea garden is furnished with a hospital inside the garden. This facility provides the medical treatment as required by the workers or their families living there. It is also mandatory to maintain the sanitation of the estate. So, the authority of the garden takes all the necessary measures to provide the same. This, in turn, increases workers' satisfaction which results in more effective production.

Q. Why is Assam known as the land of tea gardens?

Ans- Assam is called the land of tea gardens as it produces the finest tea popular for the strong taste, texture, aroma, and colour. Besides, the area covered by the tea gardens is more than hundred acres of land contributing immensely to the state's economic value. After China, the enormous manufacturer of tea is found in Assam.

This carries huge prestige to the state as it manufactures an abundance of supreme standard tea in the entire country. In figures, Assam produces a huge amount of tea which is over 400 million kilograms. Also, an annual Tea Festival is conducted in the state amidst the month of November which is hosted by Assam Tourism. One can taste a diversity of tea with different flavors, aromas, and textures in the same spot. This festival provides a majestic opportunity to display the unique and best quality tea produced in Assam. The festival takes place in the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre.

Weather: The extremely suitable climate of Assam is responsible for the manufacturin of such high-quality tea. The region experiences heavy rainfall in the monsoon season and the temperature during the day rises to 36 degrees Celcius. This pattern of climate creates greenhouse-like conditions which are highly beneficial for manufacturing a unique malty taste in tea. Thus, Assam's tropical weather pattern plays a pivotal part in the manufacturing of tea in such a huge figure. In addition, Assam produces the finest quality black tea that has innumerable benefits for the health of humans. In short, the tea production here contributes tremendously to the monetary value of the state.

Q. Which is the Assam's first tea garden?

Ans- In Assam, the first tea garden was set up in Chabua. It is situated in the upper region of the state. The establishment was initiated in 1837. This town is located in the district of Dibrugarh. The distance from Tinsukia town to reach Chabua is 20 kilometers and from Dibrugarh town is 30 kilometers. Hence, Chabua lies between Dibrugarh town and Tinsukia town.

The British East India Company took the initial step in the starting period of the year 1820 to begin a large-scale tea production in Assam. The Singpho tribe is the original creator of the vision and the variant of tea. However, the British East India Company was successful in taking over the region. This happened because of the introduction of the Yandaboo Treaty.

Later the commercialization of tea in the Assam region was started by the Assam Tea Company. Gradually, the industry of tea started to flourish extravagantly capturing vast areas of terrain for plantations of tea. Consequently, Assam turned out to be the steering tea producer in the global world. Chabua has a very hot and humid climatic conditions with heavy rainfall, in turn, making it a suitable place for producing good quality tea.

The term 'Chabua' can be literally understood as 'chah' which means, in the native language, 'tea' and 'bua' which means 'plantation'. Along with being the initial tea garden, Chabua also had one of the largest bases for airfield which was used by the USAAF Air Transport Command. The airfield is found on the suburbs of the town.

Q. Which is the best Assam Tea?

Ans - Assam is a suitable place for the cultivation and manufacturing of the best tea. The state is equipped with a tropical climate and suitable conditions for tea cultivation. The temperature here is very warm throughout the utmost part of the year which contributes to the development of the bold character found in Assam teas. The best element of the place is its soil which is enriched in minerals, clay, and gravel making them more fertile.

Assam produces best teas in huge quantitates. To consider one variant of tea the best among all is quite difficult. The name of few finest teas produced in Assam include 1. Best Single-Estate Assam: "Farm2Cup" - This tea production is exported directly from the farm via a US distributor to the tea drinker. This is known as a single estate production because it not only makes tea but also grows and packs tea. The entire procedure starting from collecting tea seeds to packing tea takes place on-site at Ghograjan Tea Estate in Assam. The texture of "Farm2Cup" is strong, malty, and brisk. Such a taste gives a nice sensation on the tongue for a moment. It is made through the CTC method.

2. Vahdam Premium Organic Assam CTC Black Tea is another finest quality tea produced in Assam. The mild maltiness and a crisp aroma gives the tea a feel of freshness. The maltiness and boldness of it give a true identity of Assam tea to it.

Another best texture tea of the state is "Mana Organics Single-Estate Assam Black Tea". It has a natural sweetness in its leaf and a slight earthly texture giving it a raw and wonderful taste to it.

The list of such great teas manufactured in the lovely state, Assam, is never-ending.

Q. Is Assam tea normal tea?

Ans- Normal tea simply refers to the regular black tea that undergoes the course of strict oxidation. This process takes out the flavor as it loses most of its antioxidant properties. Black tea is considered normal because it is continually drunk in several sections of the world. The taste of Assam tea is intense with a strong flavor than green and white teas because it is more oxidised than the others.

Normal tea has equal health benefits for human health like green tea. It gets its health benefits, unique flavor, and color because of fermentation during its processing.

The antioxidants present in black tea are polyphenols and catechins. These antioxidants prevent DNA damage. Not only that, it also benefits one by preventing breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The other benefits include its fighting agent against bacteria, ability to relieve stress, etc. Besides, these antioxidants maintain and retain the agility of the human body.

Most people prefer to drink Assam tea by adding other ingredients such as chocolates, spices, and additional herbs to give the tea a more lively taste and aromatic fragrance. All the teas except herbal teas are made from plants called Camellia Senensis. The differences among these teas occur only because of the different ways they are processed. Hence, black tea, green tea, and white tea come from a single origin but only the texture and flavor differ along with a few health benefits. Such teas also increase an individual's alertness and focus due to the presence of caffeine in them.

Q. Who Invented tea in Assam?

Ans- Maniram Dutta Baruah, who was popularly known as Maniram Dewan, informed the British associate Robert Bruce about Assam tea. Originally, the cultivation of tea, in Assam, was initiated by the Singpho people. Maniram Dewan directed him to a place called Bessa Gam. There Robert Bruce saw how the local tribesmen produced tea starting from plucking to processing. These tribesmen were known as the Singphos.

After the visit, Bruce took a few leaf samples with seeds to examine them scientifically. However, he couldn't see the progress of Assam tea as he passed away a few years later. Later, Robert Bruce's brother took the responsibility and forwarded these samples to the botanical garden in Kolkata for examination. This directed to the identification of these plants as Camellia sinensis var. Assamica.

For tea production and processing, Assam Tea Company was set up in Assam. It was the first company responsible for growing and making this tea. Gradually, the tea business in Assam started to expand tremendously covering a vast area of land.

In London, for analyzing the quality of Assam tea, a market was evaluated by the late 1830s. The East India Company gave positive feedback after the analysis which, as a result, increased the demand for tea plantations. This gave rise to the process of eradicating forests and agricultural land for the manufacturing of teas.

Hence, Maniram Dewan plays a pivotal role in shaping the significant success of Assam tea. He was given the title of Dewan of the Assam Tea Company at Nazira. Back then, he drew a salary of 200 rupees per month. However, he left his job because of differences in their opinions. Besides, he had gained expertise in tea cultivation.