Assam becomes first Indian state to commercially produce matcha tea, sold for Rs 3,000 a kg
Assam has become the first state in India to commercially produce matcha tea, with production beginning at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in eastern Assam’s Tinsukia district.
The first commercially produced batch of Assam’s matcha tea was sold at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre for Rs 3,000, signalling strong early market interest in the premium product.
CM Sarma calls it a new chapter in Assam’s tea heritage
Sharing the news on X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the achievement marks a new chapter in the state’s tea heritage and represents a major diversification of its tea industry. “Your favourite Matcha brew will now be produced in Assam. Furthering our glorious tea legacy, Assam becomes the first state in India to commercially produce Matcha tea at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Tinsukia,” Sarma said.
Decade-long India-Japan collaboration behind the breakthrough
Sarma said the initiative is the outcome of a decade-long collaboration between India and Japan, through which Japanese expertise, specialised machinery and advanced matcha production techniques were introduced to Assam’s tea sector.
What is matcha tea?
Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from specially processed, shade-grown tea leaves. The shade-growing process gives matcha its distinctive bright green colour and rich umami flavour, and it is typically prepared by whisking the powder into hot water. Matcha originated through cultural exchanges between China and Japan in the premodern period, evolving from earlier Chinese powdered tea practices that were later introduced to Japan by Zen Buddhist monks.
Move expected to boost Assam tea’s global reputation
Sarma said the introduction of commercial matcha production is expected to strengthen the global reputation of the Assam tea brand while opening new opportunities for tea growers and producers in the state.
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