Tea was introduced to England in the 18th Century. The Chinese Government had banned the export of tea from China when the demand for tea was at its peak. There was a hue and cry within the East India Company because to lose such a lucrative business would mean the loss of a huge nature. In search of an alternative way, the British and the Portuguese planned to cultivate tea in their own countries. Renowned botanist and Director of the Royal Botanical Garden Sir Joseph Besins of London advised the East India Company to cultivate tea in 1788. But the company did not show much enthusiasm. But few British officials of the East India Company kept their effort alive to start tea cultivation in Assam. In 1826 the commander of British force Charles Alexander Bruce who came to fight against the Burmese informed through a letter to Francis Jackins about the discovery of tea in the Singphow state. Singphow king Bisagam gave details about tea to the brother of Alexander Bruce whose name was Robert Bruce.

The stories about Robert Bruce and Charles Bruce regarding their search of tea plants and their experiences are noted in the history of Assam Tea Company.

Few important facts about the history of Assam Tea:
In 1823 Singphow King Bisagam passed information about tea plants in Assam to Major Robert Bruce.
British Tea Committee certified tea grown wildly in Assam as the real tea plant.
In 1838 Charles Williamson certified that Assam tea (Camellia assamica) is superior in quality to Chinese Camellia sinensis.
In 1839 January the first auction of Assam tea took place. And on 12th February that year, Assam Tea Company was formed.
Chabua and other tea gardens were handed over to Assam Tea Company. Charles Alexander Bruce was appointed the first superintendent of Assam Tea Company and Maniram Dutta Barbhandar Baruah was appointed the Dewan of the company. Maniram Dewan was declared to be the first Assamese tea planter.
In 1851 the first individual tea planter was Col Exis Manni.
In 1912, the Tocklai Tea Research Centre was established.
In 1970 the Tea Auction Centre at Guwahati was established.
In 2011, tea was declared to be the official drink of Assam.


Health benefits of drinking tea.

It improves your metabolism.
It reduces the risk of dying from certain chronic diseases.
It’s good for your brain.
It may help prevent cancer.
It may boost fertility.

Despite your tea of choice, the research is clear. Drink three to six cups every day of white, green, oolong, black, or herbal tea as a way to stay warm in the cold months, cool off during the hot months, and to enjoy a healthier heart, brain, and body.