Which is the First State to Commercially Produce Matcha Tea in India?

India’s tea industry is globally famous for its bold, robust and full-bodied black teas. Now India is going to diversify its tea sector by bringing matcha home. The state of Assam will produce Matcha tea commercially for the first time. A tea that is famous for health and wellness across the world. 

What is Matcha?

Matcha is Green tea that comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Its finely ground powder comes from unique cultivation and processing methods like shade-grown and whole-leaf. 

In the shade-grown process farmers cover the tea bushes with special cloths to block out sunlight a few weeks before. This makes plants produce extra chlorophyll, which gives Matcha tea its famous bright green colour, sweet and smooth flavour. 

The whole leaf matcha tea is like regular green tea. Tea leaves are carefully stripped of their stems, dried and ground into fine powder. 

Which is the First State to Commercially Produce Matcha Tea in India? 

Assam has officially become the first state in India to commercially produce and sell matcha tea. Assam is famous for centuries for its rich, strong black teas and is now stepping into a new category by growing its own homegrown Matcha. 

It is a significant movement for the Indian agriculture market. Assam will collaborate with the Japanese to produce tea in the state. Japan will provide technological support to Assam’s Chota Tingrai Tea Estate after the successful production of matcha in the Upper Assam district. 

Chota Tingrai established a fully automated state-of-the-art Japanese tea manufacturing plant on its estate. The estate is famous for its whole leaf green tea. 

Top Matcha Producing Countries in the World

The global market of matcha is currently dominated by a few countries like China and Japan. However, countries like India, South Korea and Taiwan are expanding their agricultural market in Matcha production.  

China

China is the largest producer and exporter of matcha in the world. China produces over 60% of the world's matcha tea. China’s tea-producing regions include Guizhou nd focus on affordable and large scale Matcha which is used in coffee shops, bakeries and food brands across the world. 

Japan

Japan is famous for its premium quality Matcha production in the world. Japan is the cultural heartland of Matcha famous for regions like Uji(Kyoto) and Nishio. Japanese farmers focus on high-end Ceremonial Grade Matcha which uses a traditional stone mill. 

These mills are used in formal tea ceremonies. Japan is the most expensive and highly valued in the world due to its quality and centuries of tradition 

South Korea, India and Taiwan

Other countries like India, South Korea (Jeju Island) and Taiwan produce matcha on a very small scale. Now India has joined the market with Assam’s successful commercial launch for Matcha production. 

Assam's commercial production of Matcha tea is a historical movement for India’s Tea market. Assam’s rich soil and geography can grow much more than just classic black tea, with the support of Japanese technology and Indian farmers.