Tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Family: Theaceae
- Type: Perennial evergreen shrub
- Soil: Calcifuge crop – best in acidic soils (pH 4.5–5.5)
- Altitude: Most gardens located at 1000–1200 m
- Temperature: Mean max. temp. should be <30°C
Global & National Status
- India’s Share:18.5% of world tea area and 26.2% of world production
- India: Largest producer, consumer, and exporter of tea
- Asia: 89% of global tea area
- China: 22% production from 44% area
- India’s Tea Export Rank: 2nd most exported agri commodity
Major Tea-Growing Regions in India
Region | Known For |
Darjeeling | Unique muscatel flavour |
Assam | Strong cup character |
Nilgiris | Characteristic taste/flavour |
Assam State | 55% of India’s tea production |
Processing Methods
Method | Tea Strength |
Orthodox | Light strength |
CTC | Strong strength (Cut–Tear–Curl) |
- 1st Processing Step: Withering (removes 15–20% moisture)
- Fermentation Products: Theaflavins, Thearubigins
- Best Harvest Stage: Two leaves and a bud
- 1st Plucking: Called Tipping
Field Practices
Practice | Description |
Planting Time | Takes 18–20 months to reach plucking stage |
Planting Style | Single or double hedge system |
Irrigation | Sprinkler is most common |
Nitrogen Source (Winter, South India) | Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) |
Light Pruning | Skiffing |
Severe Pruning | Collar pruning |
Research & Institutions
- Major Tea Research Institutes in India:
- Tocklai (Assam)
- UPASI (Tamil Nadu)
- DTRC – Darjeeling Tea Research Centre
- IHBT – Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (Palampur, HP)
Popular Varieties
- Sundaram
- Singara
- Athrey
- Jayaram
- Golconda
- Brooklands
Coffee (Coffea spp.)
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Origin: Ethiopia
- Global Importance: 2nd most traded commodity in the world (after petroleum)
- India’s Rank: 6th in world coffee production
Species of Coffee
Type | Botanical Name | Pollination | Chromosome No. | Elevation |
Arabica | Coffea arabica | Self-pollinated | 2n = 22 | High elevation |
Robusta | Coffea canephora | Cross-pollinated | 2n = 44 | Low elevation |
Liberica | Coffea liberica | Cross-pollinated | 2n = 44 | Tall tree type – used for leaf rust resistance |
- Pea Berry: Coffee fruit with single seed
- Green Coffee: Cured coffee, ready for market trade
- Nutrient: Contains Niacin (Vitamin B3) – cures skin diseases
Cultivation Practices
Practice | Details |
Training | Single stem system (India) |
Pruning | June–July to August–September |
Soil Stirring | Scuffling |
Processing | – Wet method → Parchment coffee (Arabica) |
Climatic Preferences
- Arabica: High elevation
- Robusta: Low elevation
Popular Varieties of Coffee
Variety | Type/Traits |
S-795 | Robusta; Most popular, occupies 70% area |
C × R | Interspecific hybrid |
Cauvery | Catimor × Caturra, rust-resistant, good for high density planting |
San Ramon | Mutant variety |
Kent | Mutant variety |
Cioccie | Variety |
Agro | Variety |
Chicks | Variety |
Blue Mountain | High-quality Arabica type |
