India

In terms of leading tea producers across the world, India currently ranks second behind China.  It is actually believed that tea leaves were introduced to India as a result of trade with China during the silk trade between the two countries. 

While India was still under British control, a selection of seeds from China were sent to the region to be grown into plants due to the country's favorable geography & high altitudes. Despite this, the plants were unable to thrive under the hot region of Assam. After some workshopping, tea plants were found growing wild in the Upper Valleys of Assam. The tea was named Assamica (now known as Assam), and the variety and flavor of this tea was found to be unique from the Chinese selections. 

The Assam tea flavor was soon exported to England, where its taste & acceptance soon took off.  By 1840, India's tea industry began taking shape, with many other estates & plantations being made throughout the country. 

As one of the leading countries in terms of Tea Production, India is home to several rich and diverse tea plantations & estates which give the country's notability in terms of production and tea (chai) culture. We will look at these plantations & estates, as well as the production & exporting process used by India, as it is the leading country in terms of production & exportation. 

Assam, located in India's remote northeast, is the largest tea producing region in the country. Mostly grown in the Brahmaputra Valley, malty Assamese tea is brightly colored. Jorhat, in the central part of the valley, is often referred to as the "Tea Capital of the World".

Nilgiri Tea, one of India's most distinctive teas, has been named after the Nilgiris or Blue Mountains where it is grown. The range is called the Blue Mountains because of the saxe-blue Kutinji flower which covers the hills when it blooms once in 12 years. The combination of fragrance and briskness makes Nilgiri a truly unique tea, the likes of which cannot be found anyhere else in the world.  

One common type of tea that is sought after in India is Chai. Chai, or masala chai (meaning “spiced tea”) was originally a tea made from a combination of spices similar to ginger or cardamom. Over time, travelers from other regions in India began combining the black tea leaves grown from the Assam region with spices & high-quality milk and this concoction would later become what Chai is known as today. As Chai's popularity increased, many varieties of it began being created which includes recipes incorporating green tea leaves, rooibos, espresso, and many different varieties of ingredients. 

Although tea drinking tradition varies throughout the different regions of India, tea is commonly drunk during meals, particularly with a heavy breakfast. Furthermore, many cities often contain destress zones known as Tea Stalls where people can gather to drink their favorite version of tea and chat up. Most teas are also drunk with milk & sugar. 

Depending on the time of day, different types of tea are also consumed. Tea is usually seen as a household habit, with guests commonly being offered cups of several varieties. Kashmiri tea, for instance is often consumed during breakfast for its milky and citrusy taste whereas hot Black Tea with a hint of mint & lemon is often served at the end of the day for a refreshing finish.