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Discovering the Delights of Nepali Tea
Michele LillieNestled amidst the majestic Himalayan ranges, Nepal is a hidden gem in the world of tea. While its neighboring country, India, often garners much of the spotlight for tea production, Nepal's tea industry has steadily carved out a niche, offering tea enthusiasts a unique and captivating experience. In this blog post, we will embark on a journey through the tea farms of Nepal, explore the nuances of the Nepali tea industry, and uncover what makes Nepali tea so distinctive and special.
The Birthplace of Nepali Tea
Nepal's tea story began in the mid-19th century when the first tea bushes were planted in the eastern hills of Ilam, which remains at the heart of Nepal's tea production today. The country's diverse topography, ranging from lowland plains to high-altitude regions, provides a variety of microclimates perfect for tea cultivation. The combination of fertile soil, pristine air, and abundant rainfall creates an ideal environment for growing high-quality tea.
The Categorization of Nepali Tea
No matter the location, good-quality loose-leaf tea is grown and processed in an orthodox manner. This means that the tea leaf is treated with respect such that the integrity of the tea leaf is maintained as much as possible. Tea destined for tea bags is processed as a CTC (crush, tear, curl) or non-orthodox tea. A machine is used to mince, shred or crush the tea leaves to start the oxidation process. Tea destined for this type of processing tends to be lower quality tea leaves, resulting in a very strong, dark tea with a one-note flavor. Since this method reduces labor costs, it saves time and money and allows the tea to be sold at a lesser price. For more information, see this blog post on Loose-leaf Tea vs Tea Bags .
Nepali CTC tea is primarily grown in the lowlands and is mainly for the domestic market. Orthodox tea is classified as a specialty tea and is cultivated in the foothill districts. It is destined more for the export market. According to the Nepal Economic Forum, 72% of the tea produced in Nepal is black CTC tea, 25% is orthodox, and the remaining small percentage is green or white tea.
The Tea Farms of Nepal
The development of a thriving tea industry in Nepal has not been easy. Beyond the expected challenges of growing tea in harsh conditions, there is also a shortage of skilled labor and poor working conditions. Governmental problems, which are beyond the scope of this post, have also been known to harm and hinder tea production.
Nepal's tea farms produce orthodox tea in small plots nestled on the slopes of the Himalayas. The farmers have a deep respect for the land and traditional farming methods. They tend to use organic methods even if they do not possess organic certification.
As the tea producers explain, apart from some big tea estates, much Nepali tea comes from small farmers with under 15 acres of land. Organic certification is difficult for these farmers to achieve. It is expensive to obtain organic certification, over $9000 to start the process, followed by annual fees. They also have difficulty fulfilling the application requirements due to language and literacy challenges.
According to a 2019 article in the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, there were four certified organic tea estates/factories in Nepal at that time.
- Himalayan Shangri-La Tea Producers – located in Ilam
- Kanchanjanga Tea Estate – located in Ilam
- Gorkha Tea Estate – located in Ilam
- Jun Chiyabari – located in Dhankuta
Estates that produce orthodox Nepali tea are committed to quality over quantity. These tea farmers focus on producing small batches of premium teas with exceptional taste and aroma. This artisanal approach has garnered international acclaim, with Nepali teas frequently winning awards at global tea competitions.
What Makes Nepali Tea Unique?
Nepali tea produced in an orthodox manner offers a delightful array of flavors and characteristics that captivate tea connoisseurs around the world. The unique terroir of Nepal, influenced by high altitudes, cool temperatures, and rich soil, imparts distinctive flavors to its teas.
Because of its proximity to the Darjeeling region of India, Nepali teas have similar characteristics to those produced in Darjeeling . However, the sought-after “muscatel” flavor in the second flush Darjeeling tea comes from very old Chinese tea bushes. In contrast, Nepali tea is produced on much younger bushes, giving these teas a different flavor profile.
Here at English Tealeaves, we carry two Nepali teas from two separate suppliers.
Our Nepali Chai comes from the family that started Nepal's 1st certified organic tea garden – the Kanchanjangha Tea Estate. The dreams of this tea farmer began in the 1960s when he was only 15 years old. The tea estate was founded in 1984 by this man to lift his community out of poverty. According to them, the estate is still “a model social enterprise that operates using cooperative infrastructure and prioritizes people and the environment before profit.”
His son, born in 1991, is considered the founder of the modern-day tea company. As they explain,
“Our business always had a dual mission: to create a global identity for Nepali tea and to uplift a million farmers out of poverty. While the impact created in pursuing these dual goals is gratifying; what is even more remarkable is the team that we have come to build in 2023. A young vibrant team that is based out of Nepal and is working passionately to connect our two major stakeholders: the tea consumers around the world with the tea producers and farmers in Nepal."
Their latest impact report states the following results.
- 723 farmers impacted through 2023.
- 48% increase in earnings of farmers since inception.
- 48 customers directly visited Nepal for a tea tour.
- $49,000 returned to communities through tourism.
- 14 farmer trainings conducted.
- Two farms assisted in organic certification.
- $3,985 given back to the farmers through a 1% give-back program
- 27 tuition scholarships provided to children of the tea farmers.
Kumari Black is a beautiful black tea from Nepal and is harvested from a tea estate located in the foothills of Mt. Kanchanjangha, the third-highest mountain in the world.
After a visit to Darjeeling, India, a young man of only 15 was inspired to start a tea farm to eliminate the poverty that was in his community. His dream saw its early roots in his own backyard and it showed farmers in that area that growing tea was possible. This eventually grew into the first certified organic tea garden in Nepal. Since then, the company has grown and brought its product to the US.
This wonderful tea was named after the tea estate's founder's mother because she planted the first tea bush there. It is a full-bodied black tea with golden tips and flavor notes of honey, caramel and baked fruit.
A Cup of Nepali Tea: More Than Just a Beverage
Enjoying a cup of Nepali tea will take you on a journey into the heart of the Himalayas. It is an introduction to the land, the people, and the traditions of this area. No matter what type of tea drinker you are, exploring Nepali tea will be a fun and delicious experience.