Assam estate sells India’s first matcha tea

An Assam tea estate on Friday (July 3, 2026) sold India’s first commercially-produced matcha tea, marking a significant shift from conventional teas.

Matcha is made after shading Camellia sinensis tea leaves for three to four weeks before harvest. According to tea planters, blocking 90% of sunlight from the leaves boosts their chlorophyll and amino acid levels, and gives them a distinct colour and flavour.

“Five kilograms of the first-ever batch of India-produced matcha tea was sold at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre during sale number 27. Auctioned by J. Thomas & C. Pvt. Ltd. and bought by Guwahati-based Sheosons Chai Co., the premium tea fetched ₹3,000 per kg,” Dinesh Bihani, the secretary of Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers’ Association, said.

“Matcha is made by finely grinding the shade-grown tea leaves into a vibrant green powder. Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha is whisked into water and consumed entirely, providing higher levels of antioxidants, amino acids, and natural caffeine,” he said.

The matcha came from Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in eastern Assam’s Tinsukia district.

Mrityunjay Jalan, the Chota Tingrai’s director, said his estate spent a decade collaborating closely with Japanese tea manufacturers, agronomists, equipment suppliers, and tea experts to produce matcha.

“We sought to bridge traditional Assam tea heritage with authentic Japanese expertise by establishing a fully automated, state-of-the-art Japanese tea manufacturing facility on our estate. We are confident that the matcha from Chota Tingrai will appeal to Indian and international households,” he said.

Primarily manufactured in Japan, China, and Vietnam, matcha is a highly sought-after beverage. However, it is currently facing a global shortage due to skyrocketing worldwide demand.

“It is a matter of pride that top-quality matcha tea is being produced in Assam,” Bidyananda Barkakoty, the adviser to the North Eastern Tea Association, said.

He said that the introduction of speciality teas like matcha adds a valuable dimension to the tea portfolio of a State that has become synonymous with rich and robust black teas.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the “monumental shift” in Assam’s 200-year-old tea industry. “The diversification to the viral drink will help strengthen the brand Assam Tea in the global markets. This has been made possible due to the strong India-Japan ties and our collaboration in various fields,” he said.