India's tea story extends far beyond the cup of chai that is served at breakfast. From the foggy slopes of Darjeeling to the extensive gardens of Assam and the hills of the Nilgiris, different regions grow leaves with their own taste, strength and nature. But when it comes to production, one state is well ahead of all the others. Assam is known as the largest tea-producing state in India, producing around half of the country's total output. West Bengal follows, with Tamil Nadu and Kerala among the other major producers.
These states account for most of India's tea, whereas smaller growing regions add to its diversity. Knowing where the leaves come from also helps explain why Indian teas taste so distinct. For Vikram Tea, this link is especially relevant, with its Upper Assam sourcing bringing the nature of one of India's best-known tea-growing regions into its combinations.
Assam: India's Largest Tea Producer
Assam holds the top place by a large margin, producing 666.82 million kg of tea in 2024–25. Its tea-growing areas are scattered across the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, where warm temperatures, high humidity and ample amount of rainfall support tea cultivation.
Assam tea is known for its strong, full-bodied texture and malty taste. It is widely used in mixes made for milk chai, where its rich taste holds up well against milk as well as sugar. The state is also home to Upper Assam, an essential tea-growing belt known for producing leaves with depth as well as strength.
This is the part connected to Vikram Tea's sourcing. Its Upper Assam tea brings the essence of this established growing belt into its blends, making the region an essential part of the brand's tea story.
West Bengal: Home To Darjeeling And Dooars Tea
West Bengal ranked second, producing 387.51 million kg of tea during the same period. Its tea industry is distributed across three prominent regions: Darjeeling, Dooars and Terai. Each has a different growing environment and produces tea with a distinct character.
Darjeeling tea is known for its mild aroma, light liquor and unique muscatel notes, especially in its second flush harvest. The Dooars and Terai regions, meanwhile, deliver fuller-bodied teas that are widely used in everyday cups. This range makes West Bengal an essential contributor to both speciality and bulk tea production.
Tamil Nadu: The Leading Tea Producer In South India
Tamil Nadu is placed third with 163.66 million kg of tea in 2024–25, making it the largest tea-producing state in South India. Its major tea-growing areas include the Nilgiri hills, where plantations profit from the region's elevation and cooler weather conditions.
Nilgiri tea is loved for its bright liquor, brisk taste and aromatic character. The region delivers both orthodox and CTC teas, which are used in various kinds of blends. Its teas are also famous for iced preparations due to their clear taste and refreshing finish.
Kerala: Tea From The Western Ghats
Kerala produced 57.29 million kg of tea, putting it fourth on the national scale. Much of its tea cultivation is concentrated in the Western Ghats, especially around Munnar and nearby high-altitude locations.
The cool climate and hilly terrain support tea cultivation, with the region delivering teas known for their brisk character and pleasing aroma. Munnar is among Kerala's best-known tea-growing spots, with vast plantations forming a regular part of its landscape.
Arunachal Pradesh: A Smaller But Growing Tea Region
Arunachal Pradesh produced around 14.35 million kg of tea in 2024–25, placing it fifth among Indian tea-producing states. Tea cultivation here is backed by the state's varied terrain and favourable growing conditions in some areas.
Although its output is much smaller than Assam's, Arunachal Pradesh has evolved into part of India's growing tea-growing map. Its presence also shows how tea cultivation has gone past the country's classic plantation belts.
Bihar: An Emerging Tea-Producing State
Bihar registered a production of 8.08 million kg, ranking sixth. Tea cultivation is focused largely in the Kishanganj region, which shares climatic as well as geographical features with neighbouring tea-growing areas of North Bengal and Assam.
The state's contribution is subtle compared with the major producers, but tea cultivation has made another agricultural activity for growers in this region of Bihar.
Tripura: A Northeast Tea-Growing State
Tripura delivered 7.44 million kg of tea, placing it seventh. It has a long relationship with tea cultivation in the Northeast, with plantations and smaller growers donating to its output. The state is also known for its CTC tea production, which serves the market with everyday tea blends.
Karnataka: A Small Contributor To India's Tea Output
Karnataka produced 4.50 million kg of tea in 2024–25. Its output is vastly smaller than that of the leading southern producers, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Tea is produced in select areas, but coffee remains the state's more well-known plantation crop.
Why Does Upper Assam Matter To Vikram Tea?
The state-wise ranking explains why Assam holds such an essential place in India's tea industry, but the region within a state counts as well. Upper Assam is known for delivering teas with a strong body and malty qualities, qualities that make them appropriate for everyday milk chai.
Vikram Tea's Upper Assam sourcing links its blends to this specified tea-growing area. The leaves' character is particularly relevant for CTC teas, which are processed into small granules that give colour and flavour quickly while brewing. This makes them a suitable option for households that enjoy a strong cup of chai.