Indian Specialty Tea Platform
Celebrating India's Finest
Specialty Teas.
Building Their Right Place in the World.
A platform to build awareness, appreciation and a stronger global identity for Indian Specialty Tea.
About the Platform
Why the Platform Exists
Did you know that India produces much more than the Darjeeling and Assam teas the world knows?
From beautiful Oolongs, Silver Needle and Bai Mu Dan to Dragon Balls, handcrafted artisan teas, Winter Frosts and fine smoked Oolongs, Indian tea makers are creating an extraordinary range of specialty teas.
Even within our best-known regions, there is much more to discover. Darjeeling, for example, is producing exceptional Oolongs, White Teas and other handcrafted styles alongside its celebrated teas. New regions and small farmers are also creating distinctive specialty teas that deserve to be discovered.
Vision
Mission
What is Indian Specialty Tea?
Definition
Specialty tea is a premium, high-quality tea distinguished by its origin, traceability, artisanal processing and distinctive character. It reflects the particular region, harvest, producer and craftsmanship behind the tea.
In India, specialty tea carries something more — the heritage and legacy of our tea-growing regions, the craftsmanship of our producers, and their passion and love for the art of tea.
Why It Matters
Indian Specialty Tea is not simply about what is in the cup. It is about where the tea comes from, who made it, how it was made and what makes it distinctive.
Our specialty teas are unique, precious and memorable for their flavor profiles, taste palate, and regional essence.
India's Specialty Tea Regions
- Darjeeling
- Nilgiris
- Kangra
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Manipur
- Assam
- Other Emerging Regions
What Makes Indian Specialty Tea Distinctive?
Craftsmanship
Skilled cultivation, harvesting and processing shape the character of specialty tea.
Origin & Terroir
Soil, climate, elevation and local conditions give each tea its distinctive identity.
Traceability
Knowing the estate, region, harvest and making process adds meaning and value to the tea.
Sustainability
Responsible practices and the relationship between tea, people and the environment are an important part of the specialty tea story.
Wellness
Tea's natural qualities and its place in mindful, contemporary lifestyles create opportunities for deeper consumer engagement.
Culture & Heritage
Tea carries the history, traditions, people and stories of the regions in which it is grown and made.
Coming Soon
Knowledge Centre
Stories from the Tea Gardens
Tea Estates
Discover the estates behind India's specialty teas and the distinctive environments in which they are grown.
Tea Makers
Meet the people whose skill, experience and judgement shape the character of each tea.
Producer Stories
The people and journeys behind India's specialty tea movement.
Regional Stories
Explore the landscapes, histories, cultures and traditions that make India's tea regions unique.
News & Updates
Coming in the next version of the Platform.
Platform Activities
Industry News
Upcoming Events
Podcasts
GI regions
What is GI & Why is it Important?
A Geographical Indication (GI) identifies a product with a specific geographical origin and recognises qualities, reputation or characteristics associated with that place. For tea, a GI helps protect the identity and reputation of a region and provides legal protection against unauthorised use of that geographical name.
For Indian Specialty Tea, the geographical origin is an important part of the story. India is not one tea-growing terroir. It is a collection of distinctive regions, each shaped by its landscape, climate, soil, history and tea-making traditions.
The GI regions featured here represent four important chapters in India’s tea story.
The Champagne of Teas
Darjeeling
Set in the Eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is one of the world’s most recognised tea origins. Its high-altitude gardens, cool climate and distinctive growing conditions contribute to teas celebrated for their elegance, complexity and characteristic aromas and flavours.
Darjeeling’s tea story extends well beyond its celebrated classics, with producers also creating distinctive specialty styles across different seasons and processing methods. Darjeeling Tea is a registered Geographical Indication, with its name and identity protected in India and several international markets.
Power. Depth. Character.
Assam
The vast tea-growing landscape of Assam, shaped by the Brahmaputra and its rich, loamy soils, produces teas known for their full body, briskness, depth and malty character.
Assam is home to both CTC and Orthodox tea production, while its Orthodox teas include highly regarded second-flush teas known for rich flavour and bright liquor. Assam Orthodox Tea is a registered Geographical Indication.
Aromatic. Bright. Distinctive.
Nilgiris
The Blue Mountains of the Nilgiris stretch across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, creating a distinctive tea-growing environment influenced by both the south-west and north-east monsoons.
Nilgiri teas are known for their fragrance, floral character, briskness and bright golden liquor, with the region producing both Orthodox and CTC teas. Nilgiri Orthodox Tea is a registered Geographical Indication.
The Tea of the Dhauladhar
Kangra
Nestled in Himachal Pradesh against the Dhauladhar mountain range, Kangra is one of India’s smaller and more distinctive tea-growing regions. Its elevation, cool mountain environment, terrain and soil contribute to a tea with a distinctive character.
Kangra is known particularly for its first-flush teas, with a delicate aroma and distinctive fruity notes. The region produces both green and black teas, with Kangra black tea noted for its sweet lingering finish. Kangra Tea is a registered Geographical Indication.
Contact Us
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Founding Members
-
Susmita Das Gupta
Founder & Tea Artist, TWS & Indian School of Tea -
Rishi Saria
CEO at Gopaldhara and Rohini Tea Estates -
Rohit Lohia
Chamong Tee Group -
Shilajit Roy Chaudhary
Vice President, The United Nilgiri Tea Estates Company Limited -
Surya Jai Prakash
Second Generation Tea Maker, Wah Tea, Kangra