India is one of the largest tea producers in the world, although over 70 percent of its tea is consumed within India itself. A number of renowned teas, such as Assam and Darjeeling, also grow exclusively in India. The Indian tea industry has grown to own many global tea brands and has evolved into one of the most technologically equipped tea industries in the world. Tea production, certification, exportation and all facets of the tea trade in India are controlled by the Tea Board of India.
Tea Board of India
The Tea Board of India is a statutory body established under the Tea Act, 1953. It is under the control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Tea Board is responsible for the development and promotion of tea cultivation, processing, domestic trade, and export from India.
Formation: 1 April 1954
Type: Indian Government Organisation
Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Other Location: London, United Kingdom; Moscow, Russia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Tea Board of India is a state agency of the Government of India under the control of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, established to promote the cultivation, processing, and domestic trade as well as export of tea from India. Tea Board of India headquartered in Kolkata and zonal offices in Jorhat, Assam, and Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. It also has overseas offices in London, New York, and Dubai.
Read more: Objective GK & GS Multiple Choice Questions and Answer
India is the world’s second-largest producer of tea, after China. In 2022, India produced over 1.3 billion kilograms of tea. Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are the major tea-producing states in India.
Top Tea Producing States in India
Top tea importing countries from India in 2023
Top tea importing countries from India in 2023, based on the latest data from the Tea Board of India:
- United Arab Emirates
- Russia
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Germany
Famous varieties of Tea in India
- Darjeeling
- Assam
- Nilgiri
- Kangra
- Dooars-Terai
- Masala Tea
- Sikkim Tea
- Tripura
Tea is one of the industries, which by an Act of Parliament comes under the control of the Union Govt. The genesis of the Tea Board India dates back to 1903 when the Indian Tea Cess Bill was passed. The Bill provided for levying a cess on tea exports – the proceeds of which were to be used for the promotion of Indian tea both within and outside India. The present Tea Board set up under section 4 of the Tea Act 1953 was constituted on 1st April 1954.
Read more: Most Important Current Affairs MCQs
Climate & Soil for Tea Cultivation
The climate not only determines the suitable place to grow tea plants but also affects the quality of tea grown in that area. However, many different climatic conditions can be suitable for tea cultivation. Tea plants can grow from tropical to subtropical climates, but often require high humidity and heavy rainfall during the growing season.
Tea grows best in areas with a maximum temperature of 16-32ºC and a well distributed rainfall of about 150 cm per annum. Relative humidity should be around 80% most of the time and should never be less than 40%. The area should not be prone to frost.
Here is a table of the ideal temperature for growing different types of tea:
| Tea type | Ideal temperature |
| Black tea | 25-30 degrees Celsius (77-86 degrees Fahrenheit) |
| Green tea | 18-25 degrees Celsius (64-77 degrees Fahrenheit) |
| Oolong tea | 20-28 degrees Celsius (68-82 degrees Fahrenheit) |
| White tea | 22-27 degrees Celsius (72-81 degrees Fahrenheit) |
Read more: Must Read Books for Competitive Exams
The origin of tea plants in tropical and subtropical climates. Until now, tea plants have been widely distributed to places with natural conditions that are far from the original place.
The ideal temperature for growing tea is between 18 and 30 degrees. The plant growth is adversely affected when the temperature goes above 32 degrees or drops below 13 degrees.
How much rainfall do the tea plants require?
Tea plants require a minimum of 1200 millimeters (mm) of rainfall per year, but 2500-3000 mm is considered optimal. The rainfall should be well distributed throughout the year, as tea plants cannot withstand drought.
Tea plants prefer high humidity, and they grow best in areas with frequent rainfall. However, too much rain can also be harmful to tea plants, as it can lead to root rot and other diseases.
Here is a table of the ideal rainfall for growing different types of tea:
| Tea type | Ideal rainfall |
| Black tea | 2500-3000 mm |
| Green tea | 2000-2500 mm |
| Oolong tea | 2200-2700 mm |
| White tea | 2300-2800 mm |
The ideal rainfall for tea cultivation varies depending on the type of tea. For example, black tea is typically grown in areas with more rainfall, while green tea is typically grown in areas with less rainfall.
What humidity is good for tea cultivation?
Tea requires high air humidity, during the growing period the appropriate air humidity is around 85%. High humidity, morning fog, and heavy dew favor the growth of buds and young leaves. Humidity below 70% will greatly affect the growth and yield of tea. Humidity has a great influence on the growth and quality of tea.
High humidity, morning fog, and heavy dew favor the growth of buds and young leaves. Humidity below 70% will greatly affect the growth and yield of tea.
The ideal humidity for tea cultivation is between 75% and 85%. Tea plants need high humidity to help them absorb water and nutrients. They also need high humidity to prevent them from drying out.
Tea plants can tolerate humidity as low as 60%, but they will not produce tea of the best quality under these conditions. Too much humidity can also be harmful to tea plants, as it can lead to fungal diseases.
Does tea expire and how long does tea last?
The good news is that tea generally stays fresh for quite some time – around three to four months when stored in a bag and up to a year when stored in a tin or other airtight container. In order to maximize the freshness of your teas, we recommend storing it properly and protecting it from heat, light, air, and moisture whenever possible. In most cases, properly stored teas will still be good to drink for up to a year after purchase.
If properly stored, tea bags and loose leaf tea packets last for 12 to 24 months. After that, they will become notably less flavorful, sometimes even dull and stale. If it’s a fruit tea, you should finish it up within 6 months after you’ve purchased it.
Practice Questions:
Q. The Tea Board of India was established under which act?
(1) The Tea Act, 1953
(2) The Tea Act, 1949
(3) The Indian Tea Control Act, 1938
(4) The Central Tea Board Act, 1949
Answer: (1)
Q. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Tea Board of India?
(1) To provide financial assistance to the tea industry
(2) To protect the interests of tea consumers
(3) To conduct research and development on tea
(4) To manufacture and sell tea
Answer: (4)
Q. Which of the following is NOT a major tea-producing state in India?
(1) Assam
(2) West Bengal
(3) Kerala
(4) Punjab
Answer: (4)
Q. Which of the following is a major importer of Indian tea 2023?
(1) United Arab Emirates
(2) Russia
(3) United Kingdom
(4) China
Answer: (1)
Q. With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, considers the following statements:
1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
4. The Board has overseas office at Dubai and Moscow.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] 1 and 3
[B] 2 and 4
[C] 3 and 4
[D] 1 and 4
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct: The Tea Board of India is a statutory body created under the Tea Act, 1953 and it was established for the purposes of regulating the Indian tea industry and protecting the interests of tea producers in India.
Statement 2 is incorrect: It is functioning as a statutory body of the Central Government under the Ministry of Commerce.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Tea Board of India’s Head Office is situated in Kolkata.
Statement 4 is correct: The Tea Board of India has overseas offices in Moscow, Dubai, Hamburg, London and New York.
Moscow office: The Moscow office of the Tea Board of India operates under the Embassy of India, and its area of activity includes Russia and the CIS countries, which comprise 50% of Indian tea exports.
Q. Match List I with List II:
List-I (Headquarters) List-II (Board)
(a) Guntur (i) Coffee Board
(b) Bengaluru (ii) Tobacco Board
(c) Kottayam (iii) Tea Board
(d) Kolkata (iv) Rubber Board
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(B) (ii) (i) (iv) (iii)
(C) (ii) (iv) (iii) (i)
(D) (i) (iii) (ii) (iv)
Answer: (B)
- Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE for Motivation and Fast Updates
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Motivational and New analysis videos