Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: Assam’s Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Tinsukia is now the first in India to manufacture Matcha commercially. The estate spent ten years syncing with Japanese manufacturers and agronomists to set up a fully automated facility. This move shifts the region's focus beyond its traditional black teas.
The first batch hit the block at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre on Friday. Lot number 7001 fetched Rs 3,000. Guwahati-based Sheosons Chai Co. bought the lot through auctioneers J. Thomas and Co. Pvt. Ltd. The deal marks a pivot for the local industry.
Matcha is hard to find. Global demand for the fine, powdered green tea is skyrocketing as supply lines remain tight. By adopting Japanese production techniques, the estate hopes to tap into the high-value specialty market. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma touted the development as a major boost for the state's tea legacy.
Mrityunjay Jalan, Director of Chota Tingrai Tea Estate, highlighted the decade-long effort behind the shift. "We have been working with tea experts from Japan for the past decade to introduce the highest quality of green tea to the Indian market," Jalan said. The estate aims to get its product into households both locally and abroad.
Bidyananda Barkakoty, adviser to the North Eastern Tea Association, called the move a proud moment for Assam. The state now seeks to challenge the dominance of traditional producers like Japan, China, and Vietnam in the competitive green tea sector.
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