Chiya (tea), more than just a beverage, is a cultural tradition that warms conversations and hearts alike. The best place to catch up on the latest gossip or news is in the company of the comforting aroma of tea.
With a rich history that dates to 2737 BC in China, it was Emperor Shen Nung who first used tea as a medicinal herb. Centuries later, the East India Company introduced tea to India in the 18th century, which led to Darjeeling becoming a prominent tea-producing region by 1835.
Even with a short history in Nepal, tea has successfully established itself in the commercial space. It debuted in Ilam, with formal cultivation in 1863 and the establishment of the first processing factory in 1878.
Decades later, the commercial tea industry boomed in the 1960s, leading to the creation of the Nepal Tea Development Corporation (NTDC) in 1966, giving tea recognition as a valuable export.
The government has supported growers and processors since 1982, culminating in the Nepal Tea and Coffee Development Board Act of 1993. In September 2020, orthodox tea earned its trademark after celebrating 157 years of tea cultivation.
Nepal features two main types of tea: CTC (Cut, Tear, and Curl) and Orthodox tea (Camellia sinensis), each distinguished by unique processing methods. The annual tea production exceeds 26,000 metric tonnes, consisting of 6,500 tonnes of Orthodox tea and 18,000 tonnes of CTC tea farmed across 163 tea estates, involving over 15,000 smallholder farmers.
Orthodox tea, known for its delicate flavour, is highly sought after by international consumers. Prized from the East Hill districts of Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, and Terathum, it undergoes a traditional tea-making process: plucking, withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying.
CTC tea, which commonly includes black tea varieties, goes through a different process, where leaves are crushed, torn, and curled into small pellets that turn dark brown through oxidation.
The tea industry’s success is evident in the 33 tea estates that have earned quality trademarks for orthodox tea, as reported by the board. Additionally, Nepal’s tea exports reached 16,594 tonnes valued at Rs 3.93 billion in the last fiscal year 2022/23—highlighting its significant contribution to the economy. With an annual production of 26,379 tonnes across 20,237 hectares, Nepal’s tea industry continues to thrive, with CTC tea leading the production charts, according to Ministry of Agriculture statistics.
A recent data point from the Department of Customs showed that Nepal exported 16.50 million kilograms of tea worth $26.3 million in fiscal year 2023/24. According to the Mechi Customs Office, Kakarvitta, Jhapa, a 46 per cent increase in the export of tea was noticed during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2024/25.
Nepali Orthodox tea is making a strong mark in the international market. Tea industrialists report that the first flush exports have brought excellent results. Entrepreneurs report exporting the entire first flush, or “King Harvest”—the initial spring tea pick—along with all tea produced by Ilam industries, to countries like India.
The fine fuzz, or pubescence, on the leaf underside, bud, and sometimes stem, enhances the ‘tippy’ character and unique flavours of orthodox tea.
Likewise, CTC tea is renowned for its vibrant and rich brew — both representing the epitome of excellence from the Himalayan region.
Following international recognition from Forbes and The New York Times, Nepal is gaining traction in tea tourism. The Nepal Tea Collective fosters this growth by directly connecting tea enthusiasts in the US and worldwide with eastern Nepal farmers, offering immersive ten-day tours of the region’s renowned tea gardens.
Nepal Collective Tea proudly showcases the testimonials of the “Immersive Tea Tourism – A trip like no other” on their official site.
Tea serves as a substitute for coffee with its drastically lower caffeine content — still having enough caffeine for a smooth transition. A much-needed switch from coffee for something therapeutic and health-beneficial to immerse in ‘Tea Therapy’ and ‘Tea Meditation’ with the warmth of Nepali tea.
Sudipa Mahato is a junior editor with Nepal Connect.
