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 |
