Indian Tea

The most popular tea in India is Masala Chai, a deeply comforting, spiced milk tea that forms a vibrant part of daily life across the entire country. Traditionally prepared by boiling strong black tea leaves directly with milk, water, sugar, and a fragrant blend of crushed spices - such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves - it is enjoyed at home and on almost every street corner from local "Chaiwalas".

When it comes to the pure, unblended tea leaves used to make these popular beverages, rich and robust Assam black tea is the absolute staple of the nation. Because it possesses a naturally powerful, deep character, it forms the perfect, sturdy base for milk and spices. If you want to experience this comforting national staple at home without the hassle of crushing your own spices, our beautifully balanced Chai blend offers the perfect, authentic combination of robust tea and warming spices ready for your cup.

India is one of the largest tea producers in the world, famous for distinct, globally renowned tea-growing regions - most notably Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri - alongside its legendary spiced artisan blends. The dramatic differences in climate, soil, and altitude across these regions create entirely contrastive drinking experiences.

The main types of traditional Indian tea include:

Assam Tea: Grown in the low-lying, lush floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, this is a rich, full-bodied black tea. It is famous for its dark copper colour, malty depth, and brisk finish, making it a fantastic morning pick-me-up.

Darjeeling Tea: Grown in the misty, high-altitude foothills of the Himalayas, this is often referred to as the "Champagne of Teas." Unlike robust Assam, Darjeeling is an incredibly delicate, light, and highly prized tea celebrated for its unique "muscatel" flavour, reminiscent of sweet muscat grapes.

Artisan Chai Blends: A spectacular pillar of Indian tea culture, our traditional Chai brings together a robust black tea base infused with an aromatic medley of spices. It delivers a deeply warming, exotic, and sensory experience that sets it completely apart from standard single-origin leaves.

Nilgiri Tea: Cultivated in the blue mountains of Southern India, Nilgiri teas are grown at high altitudes and are famous for being exceptionally smooth, bright, and intensely aromatic, featuring a clean, subtle crispness that makes them spectacular for iced teas.

Because India produces such incredibly diverse varieties, its teas can taste completely different depending on their origin and preparation, ranging from heavy, richly malty black teas to delicate, floral mountain crops, and deeply warming, aromatic spiced blends. There is no single "Indian tea" flavour, but rather a brilliant spectrum of sensory profiles.

To find your favourite style, here is what you can expect from the classic taste profiles:

The Spiced and Warming Profile (Chai): A traditional Indian Chai offers a beautifully complex, robust, and comforting taste experience. Because it uses a strong black tea base infused with an aromatic medley of spices - such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves - it delivers a deeply exotic, sweet, and peppery warmth. When brewed traditionally with milk and a touch of sugar, the creaminess perfectly softens the spices, creating an incredibly rich, velvety, and soothing drink.

The Bold and Malty Profile: A classic single-origin Assam black tea delivers a thick, heavy mouthfeel with deep, rich notes of cocoa and warm malt. It is naturally punchy and robust, which is why it serves as the perfect foundation for our spiced Chai and tastes absolutely magnificent with a splash of milk.

The Light and Floral Profile: A premium Darjeeling tea tastes remarkably bright, crisp, and complex. It offers a much lighter body on the palate, carrying beautiful, delicate undertones of fresh flowers and a distinct, wine-like fruitiness often described as "muscatel".

The Smooth and Aromatic Profile: High-altitude Nilgiri teas provide a wonderfully balanced, medium-bodied cup. They are prized for their lack of bitterness, delivering a beautifully smooth, clean taste with bright citrus notes and a refreshing finish.