Assam has become the first state in India to commercially produce matcha tea, marking a significant milestone in the country’s tea industry. Production has begun at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Tinsukia district of eastern Assam.
The first batch of commercially produced matcha was sold at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre for Rs 3,000 per kg, indicating strong initial market interest in the premium product.
Sharing the development on X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the achievement marks a new chapter in the state’s tea heritage and reflects diversification of Assam’s tea sector. He said the initiative is the result of a decade-long collaboration between India and Japan, which introduced specialised machinery, expertise and advanced production techniques.
Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from shade-grown tea leaves, known for its bright green colour and rich umami flavour. It originated from traditional powdered tea practices that developed through cultural exchanges between China and Japan and was later refined in Japan.
The government said commercial matcha production is expected to enhance Assam’s global tea brand and create new opportunities for growers and producers in the state.
