Tea Industry

From WikiAssam

Assam is the only region in the world with native tea plants, except Southern China. Robert Bruce is said to have discovered tea plant growing wild in Assam. In 1833 British Tea Committee sent George Gordon to China to study the methods and begin tea plantation in Assam. British later imported labor from Bihar and Orissa to work in tea gardens of Assam.

On May 8, 1838 350 pounds of Assam tea were dispatched to London, and sold at India House, London on January 10, 1839. Drinkers were impressed with the tea, and the tea industry in Assam was born. Charles Bruce and others, including Maniram Dewan, began clearing the jungles and establishing tea estates.

Assam tea is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. Now, Assam produces more than half the tea grown in India. Major part of the Assam tea is sold through the Tea Auction Centre, Guwahati.