Assam's Historic Launch of Locally Produced Matcha Tea

Assam has made a significant leap in its tea industry with the auction of its first locally produced Matcha tea at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre. This milestone, achieved by the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate, highlights the state's innovative approach to tea production, leveraging technical expertise from Japan. The estate plans to produce substantial quantities of Matcha for both domestic use and export, particularly to the United States. As global demand for Matcha rises, Assam's entry into this specialty tea market is expected to enhance its brand value and position in the international tea landscape. This development is celebrated by local officials and industry leaders, marking a new era for Assam's tea sector.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 4, 2026, 08:56 IST

Milestone for Assam's Tea Industry

Representational image

Guwahati, July 4: The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) witnessed a historic moment as Assam's first batch of locally produced Matcha tea was auctioned, marking a significant advancement for the state's tea sector.

A 5 kg lot of this finely powdered premium green tea was sold for Rs 3,000 per kg to Sheosons Chai Co., based in Guwahati, on Friday. This Matcha was cultivated at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate located in upper Assam.

Mrigendra Jalan, the estate owner and the first tea planter in India to commercially produce Matcha, attributed this achievement to a technical partnership with Japanese experts, following the establishment of a green tea processing facility in 2016.

“This is our inaugural commercial production of Matcha, which is a highly specialized tea. We are currently focusing on culinary-grade Matcha suitable for various products like ice cream, lattes, cakes, and confectionery. Several companies have shown interest in conducting commercial trials,” Jalan stated, emphasizing the increasing global demand for Matcha.

Traditionally, Matcha is a key element of the Japanese tea ceremony, created by finely grinding shade-grown tea leaves into a vibrant green powder. Unlike regular green tea, where leaves are steeped and discarded, Matcha is whisked into water and consumed entirely, providing higher levels of antioxidants, amino acids, and natural caffeine.

While authentic Japanese Matcha is made from specific tea cultivars, Chota Tingrai has innovatively developed its product using local Assam varieties, TV9 and Tinali 17.

Jalan mentioned that the estate aims to produce between 200 and 300 kg of Matcha monthly, with a significant portion intended for export, especially to the United States.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised this development, stating that Assam's entry into the growing Matcha market would enhance the global brand value of Assam Tea.

Matcha has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing specialty tea categories worldwide, fueled by increasing consumer interest in wellness, functional beverages, and premium tea experiences. Japan remains the largest producer and consumer, with major import markets including the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea, while demand is also rising in the Middle East.

Dinesh Bihani, secretary of the Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association, described the auction as a pivotal event, stating, “The successful auction of India’s first Matcha lot signifies the country's entry into the lucrative Matcha segment. With India’s extensive tea-growing expertise and the rise of specialty tea production, Matcha presents a fantastic opportunity to diversify exports, enhance value realization, and bolster India’s standing in the global premium tea market.”