The Chota Tingrai Tea Estate is located in the Tinsukia district of Assam. Established in 1943, it currently spans 600 Hectares, with 350 Ha. of planted tea. Chota Tingrai is home to 600 families with a total population of 2200. Run by young and progressive thinking, fourth generation tea farmers, they are a great example of change agents in Assam toward sustainable and ethical farming. It is estates like these that will be the smiling face of a bright new future for Indian tea.
Approximately one third of the estate has been converted to organic cultivation and they continue to convert more sections each year. All organic inputs are generated from waste or produced within the estate, producing more that 100 tonnes of compost every season. Of equal importance, Chota invests in its local people and believes that sustainability includes bringing socio-economic development for their worker community. They train and develop local talent and promote from within to supervisory and management positions.
The leaf style is a very classic Assam, and the very desirable TGFOP grade, a whole leaf that will deliver the bold flavours that are Assam’s calling card, while allowing the tea’s more subtle characteristics to come through a slightly longer steep than one can get from a broken grade. The liquor aroma is honeyed with notes of black currant and apricot, delivering a smooth and full mouthfeel right from the start. One may detect hints of fruit, wood and even fresh melon.