Kangra tea flourishes: EU recognition boosts global appeal, local hopes

Tea plucking is currently in full swing across the lush gardens of Kangra valley, with reports indicating a promising harvest this year. Thanks to ample rainfall in March and April, tea growers are optimistic about higher yields. April, in particular, is known to produce the most productive flush of the season.

Kangra tea, celebrated for its unique flavour and captivating aroma, is hand-plucked and traditionally processed in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges. This year, the region marked a major milestone: Kangra tea became the second Indian Geographical Indication (GI) product to be registered with the European Union (EU), unlocking opportunities for international trade and recognition. The EU tag is expected to significantly benefit local tea growers by expanding their market reach and enhancing brand value abroad.

Tea cultivation in Kangra dates back to the mid-19th century, when European planters first introduced the crop between 1830 and 1840 under the Nissan Tea Company. Hybrid China tea, known for its rich flavour, thrives in the valley’s grey podzolic soil with a pH of about 5.4. In fact, Kangra tea earned a gold medal at the London Exhibition in 1886, and until the devastating earthquake of 1905, it was ranked among the finest teas globally.

The 1905 earthquake devastated tea estates, razed factories, and claimed many lives, forcing European planters to abandon the valley. Indian growers took over, but the industry struggled for decades due to labour shortages and poor maintenance.

Recent mechanisation — including the use of plucking and pruning machines — has revived many previously abandoned plantations, bringing new life to the region’s tea industry. According to official sources, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is committed to preserving Himachal Pradesh’s traditional products. The Himachal Pradesh Science, Technology and Environment Council played a crucial role in securing EU registration for Kangra tea.

In a bid to turn Kangra into the tourism capital of the state, the CM has announced plans to promote tea gardens as major tourist attractions, similar to Munnar in Kerala. Proposals to allow the development of resorts, log huts, and restaurants within tea estates are also under active consideration by the government — a move that could blend agro-tourism with economic revival for the valley’s iconic tea industry.