Assam CTC Black Tea

Assam produces the world's largest single-origin tea crop, grown in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra valley where alluvial soil, high humidity, and monsoon rainfall create a uniquely strong, malty, bright-red liquor. Most Assam tea is processed by the CTC (Crush-Tear-Curl) method, which cuts and rolls leaves into small uniform granules ideal for tea bags and robust brews. Major tea districts include Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tinsukia, and Sivasagar. The standard two-leaf-and-a-bud pluck governs quality. Assam tea has the highest thearubigin content of any world origin, giving its characteristic coppery-red infusion colour. Small tea growers now hold over 35% of Assam's planted area, with cooperative and FPO models giving them direct factory access. GI protection was granted in 2022.