Assam produces Matcha tea for first time, fetches Rs 3,000 per kg at auction

Guwahati: Assam starts production of Matcha tea. For the first time the Matcha tea produced in Assam was auctioned. The Japanese green tea was auctioned in Guwahati Tea auction centre on Friday.

Around 5 kg of Matcha tea was auctioned and it commanded a price of Rs 3000 per kg.

Assam chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma stated in X, “Your favourite Matcha brew, will now be produced in Assam. Furthering our glorious tea legacy, Assam becomes the first State in India to commercially produce Matcha tea at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Tinsukia. This diversification to the viral drink will help strengthen brand Assam Tea in the global markets. This has been made possible due to the strong India-Japan ties and our collaboration in various fields and has fetched a handsome price at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre.”


Secretary Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association, Dinesh Bihani stated, “This marks a significant milestone for the Indian tea industry, highlighting India's entry into the premium Matcha segment and opening new opportunities in the global specialty tea market.”

Matcha is a premium green tea made by finely grinding specially shade-grown tea leaves into a vibrant green powder.

Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and discarded, Matcha is whisked into water and consumed entirely, providing higher levels of antioxidants, amino acids, and natural caffeine.

Bihani added, “Matcha has become one of the fastest-growing specialty tea categories worldwide, driven by increasing consumer interest in wellness, functional beverages, and premium tea experiences.”

He said, “The successful auction of India's first Matcha lot marks the country's entry into the high-value Matcha segment. With India's vast tea-growing expertise and expanding specialty tea production, Matcha presents an excellent opportunity to diversify exports, increase value realization, and strengthen India's position in the global premium tea market. This is not just another auction—it is the beginning of a new chapter for the Indian tea industry.

The Assam government has come out with the Assam Tea Industries Special Incentive Scheme (ATISIS) to promote and incentivize production of speciality tea. Under ATISIS a total of 486 gardens have been provided benefits by the Government during this financial year, amounting to a total of Rs. 94.70 crores.