Tea estate walk and tasting with a planter
Assam tea is made from the Camellia sinensis var. assamica, a large-leaved plant native to this valley, grown on the flat plain under shade trees. The bushes are kept at waist height for plucking, which is done by hand, mostly by women, who pick the top two leaves and a bud and toss them into baskets carried on their backs. Plucking runs from about March to November, with the most prized flushes in spring and early summer.
After the garden walk we follow the leaf into the factory. Here it is withered on long troughs, rolled or cut, left to oxidise until it turns coppery, then dried in hot air. Most Assam estates produce CTC tea, which is cut, torn and curled into small granules for strong brews; some also make orthodox whole-leaf teas that show the character of each flush more clearly.
The visit ends at the tasting table, with cups of first flush, second flush and CTC side by side. Your host explains how to judge leaf, liquor and taste, and why second flush Assam, with its malty depth, is so highly regarded. Estate teas can usually be bought to take home.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
When is the best time to visit Assam tea gardens?
March to May is ideal, when first flush and then second flush plucking is under way and factories are busy. Plucking continues until about November. In winter, from December to February, bushes are pruned and factories are largely idle, though the gardens remain pleasant to walk.
What is the difference between first and second flush Assam tea?
First flush, picked in spring, is lighter and brighter. Second flush, picked from about May to June, is fuller and maltier, with the deep colour and strength Assam is known for. Most estates also produce CTC tea for strong everyday brews.
Can I visit a tea factory in Assam?
Yes, through an estate or a stay such as Wild Mahseer, which is inside the Addabarie estate. Factory visits are best during plucking season, from March to November, when processing is in full swing. Photography rules vary, so ask your host before taking pictures inside.
Also in Balipara Tea Country
More hours to plan around
