Matcha just got desi: Assam estate becomes first in India to sell Japanese-style green tea

NEW DELHI: An estate in Assam's Tinsukia district has created history by producing and launching India's first-ever commercially manufactured Matcha tea, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in the Upper Assam district successfully produced and launched the premium green tea product, with the first lot selling at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre for Rs 13,000."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 in a post on X.The diversification of the viral drink will help strengthen brand Assam Tea in global markets, he said, adding that the milestone was made possible through strong India-Japan ties and a decade-long collaboration.Decade of collaboration with Japanese expertsMrityunjay Jalan, director of the tea estate, said the company has spent the past decade collaborating closely with Japanese tea manufacturers, agronomists, equipment suppliers and tea experts to bring the vision to life."By establishing a fully automated, state-of-the-art Japanese tea manufacturing facility on its estate, Chota Tingrai has successfully bridged traditional Assam tea heritage with authentic Japanese expertise," he said.Jalan said they have successfully sold whole-leaf green tea grades for the past 10 years, but the launch of authentic Indian Matcha is a milestone they are incredibly proud of. The development adds a valuable new dimension to Assam's tea portfolio, opening lucrative export opportunities and strengthening India's position in the global specialty tea market.Global shortage of Matcha, high demandMatcha is a highly sought-after premium green tea product primarily manufactured in Japan, China and Vietnam, which is currently facing a global shortage due to skyrocketing demand.Assam is globally celebrated for its rich and robust black teas, and the introduction of high-quality specialty teas like Matcha marks a monumental shift for the state's tea industry."We are confident that Matcha from Chota Tingrai will soon find a home in both Indian and international households," Jalan said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.