Tea Research Association unveils decaf green tea powder to rival Japanese matcha

The Tea Research Association (TRA) has developed a decaffeinated green tea powder which it introduced at its annual general meeting on Friday. TRA said that this tea can compete with Japanese Matcha.

It was unveiled by Ms. Arunita Phukan Yadav, Deputy Chairman, Tea Board of India. Developed from Assam’s elite clones TV 9, 11, and 12, the product contains 75% less caffeine than conventional green tea and is enriched with antioxidants that support cellular health. The product was developed by TRA scientists Dr. Padma Pallav and Dr. Himanshu Deka.

In his remarks, Joydeep Phukan, secretary, TRA, emphasized that this product has the potential to compete with Japanese Matcha, which is witnessing skyrocketing global demand but suffers from chronic supply shortages. He noted that this innovation could position Assam and Bengal as a global hub for high-value wellness teas.


The AGM also marked the launch of TRA’s AI-based tea germplasm characterization tool, developed by Dr. Shuvam Dutta, Dr. Pritom Choudhury, and Dr. Sangita Borchetia. The tool, which has been patented for its uniqueness, leverages machine learning to predict drought tolerance in tea plants based on advanced image analysis. By enabling faster and more accurate selection of drought-tolerant cultivars, the model will help shorten breeding programs, accelerate varietal development, and strengthen the tea industry’s climate resilience.

In her keynote speech, Ms. Nayantara Palchoudhuri, the outgoing chairperson, TRA drew attention to the global research funding gap, pointing out that while China spends ₹110 crores annually on tea research, India invests only about ₹30 crores. She urged the government, large estates, and small tea growers to step up contributions to safeguard the industry’s future.

To address resource constraints, Ms. Palchoudhuri announced the establishment of a high-level committee to explore new revenue generation models, including property development and broadening TRA’s membership base to include small growers and the bought-leaf sector.