Assam becomes 1st state to commercially produce Matcha tea: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, July 3 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday that the state has become the first in India to commercially produce Matcha tea, marking a significant diversification of Assam’s globally renowned tea industry.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said the first commercial production of Matcha tea has been achieved at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Tinsukia district.

“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,” Chief Minister Sarma added.

He said that the diversification into the globally popular beverage would strengthen Assam’s tea industry by opening new market opportunities and boosting value addition.

According to the Chief Minister, the first lot of Assam-produced Matcha tea was sold for Rs 3,000 at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, signalling encouraging market acceptance for the premium product.

Chief Minister Sarma said the achievement was the outcome of a decade-long Indo-Japan collaboration aimed at introducing innovation into Assam’s tea sector through technical expertise, specialised machinery and knowledge sharing.

He noted that commercial Matcha production would help the state’s tea industry diversify beyond conventional black tea while catering to the growing global demand for premium green tea products.

Assam, the country’s largest tea-producing state, has been making sustained efforts to expand its product portfolio and enhance the value of its tea exports through innovation and adoption of modern processing techniques.

The Chief Minister said the successful commercial production of Matcha tea reflects the state’s commitment to modernising its tea sector while preserving its rich heritage.

Matcha, a finely ground powder made from specially cultivated green tea leaves, has witnessed a sharp rise in global popularity in recent years owing to its use in beverages, desserts and health-focused food products.

The development is expected to create new opportunities for Assam’s tea growers and processors by enabling them to tap into premium domestic and international markets.

–IANS

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