Assam Tea

The discovery of tea in China dates back to, allegedly, 2737 BCE. Tea in India, meanwhile, dates back to only 1823, which compared to the whole of the tea’s history, is relatively recent! A Scottish adventurer and merchant named Robert Bruce discovered a then-unknown plant growing in this region, and out of fascination, sent specimens of the plant to his brother, C. A. Bruce, in Calcutta for identification.

There, C.A. Bruce confirmed that the unknown plant was an Indian variety of the tea plant, later named Camellia Sinensis Var Assamica, and a new industry was born. Many regard the Assam region as the original home of Indian tea. Here at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, we agree.

200 years after the discovery of Assam tea it remains one of the best-selling teas globally. The state accounts for 55% of India’s total tea output, producing predominantly black tea; however, other produced teas include green tea, white tea, oolong tea and matcha tea. We stock many varieties.

Surrounded by the northern Himalayas, the Brahmaputra river plains and the Deccan plateau, the region has some of the richest biodiversity zones in the world. Estates grow Assam tea on either side of the river Brahmaputra, which stretches through India and into Bangladesh and China. With an average of 2,500-3000 mm of rain annually, the landscape boasts perfect tea-growing conditions. One can find this perfection in all of our teas, regardless of the type chosen.

This type of tea, made from Assam tea leaves, and also from one of the largest tea growing regions in India, has many health benefits, like cancer prevention.