Tea Blog

One of the most important tea-growing regions in India is the state of Assam, located in the northeastern part of the country.

There are hundreds of tea gardens (or Chah-Buwas, meaning tea plantations), many with names that can be quite a mouthful. Two of my favorites are

Borengajuli Assam tea
and

Tarajulie Assam tea
—both easier to pronounce if you take them one syllable at a time.

Tea writer Dan Bolton compiled a partial list of Assam estates, which I later expanded—nearly doubling the number. Many of these estates are little known outside tea auctions, while others belong to major companies such as

McLeod Russel tea group
and Tata.

I previously covered several in this

Assam tea estates overview
, and it’s time to highlight a few more.

The exact number of tea gardens in Assam varies by source, but one thing is certain—they produce an enormous quantity of tea each year.

The estates stretch across the Assam Valley alongside the Brahmaputra River. Unlike the steep mountain gardens found in regions like China or Taiwan, Assam’s tea fields are relatively level, with low-growing bushes typically no higher than waist height.

Notable Assam Tea Estates

• Achabam Tea Estate — Founded in 1921, known for its fertile soil and high yields, producing up to 2,836 kg per hectare.
• Borengajuli Tea Estate — Part of the McLeod Russel group, this estate enjoys an excellent reputation. Located near Bamonjuli village, it relies heavily on the local community for both labor and protection from wildlife.
• Dikom Tea Estate — Located in the heart of Assam, this estate produces bright, malty teas with natural sweetness, often attributed to the region’s water quality.
• Dhunseri Tea Estate — Managed by the Dhunseri Group, known for consistent quality and trusted by traders.
• Glenburn Tea Estate — Established in 1859, situated in the Himalayan foothills with scenic views of the Kanchenjunga range.
• Harmutty Tea Estate — Founded in 1870, featuring fertile land near the Dikrong River and producing full-bodied teas.
• Keyhung Tea Estate — Located at 1,500 feet elevation, producing strong, malty CTC teas. The estate supports thousands of workers and families.
• Mangalam Tea Estate — Known for innovative planting techniques and high-yield clonal bushes, producing both CTC and Orthodox teas.
• Mokalbari Tea Estate — Established in 1917, producing premium second flush Assam teas (not to be confused with Makaibari in Darjeeling).
• Satrupa Tea Estate — Located in Upper Assam, surrounded by rainforest and benefiting from rich soil and a tropical climate.

There are many more estates, but this gives a good sense of the region’s depth and diversity.

For me, Assam teas remain a favorite. They can be brewed strong or mild, enjoyed hot or iced, and pair beautifully with milk and sugar—or stand boldly on their own.

A truly versatile and dependable category of tea—you really can’t go wrong.

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