A Black Tea: Halmari Tea
Halmari tea refers to a brand of Assam tea that has come to be known as one of the top suppliers of high quality Assam tea in recent years. The company behind the Halmari Tea is Amarawati Tea and it comprises two tea estates: the Halmari Tea Estate and the Duliabam Tea Estate; both located in Assam India.
Assam is a state in India located in the northeastern region, which is known for being the world largest tea-growing region. The state has had a long history with the production of tea since it was discovered in 1,834. Tea plantations have been developed in Assam since a few years after the discovery of tea plants in the area and the tea commercialization has proven successful.
Amarawati Tea has been in the industry for more than 85 years. The owners of the company are the Daga family, who also manage the company and are responsible for ensuring the quality of the Halmari brand.
The company has a labor force of more than 700 employees. The Directors of the company include: Sunil Daga, Amit Daga, Sriprakash Bhoopal, Kavi Seth and Abhishek Modi.
About the Halmari Tea Estate
The Halmari estate is located on the high lands of Assam, also known as Upper Assam, and encompasses a total of 374 hectares. According to Amarawati, the estate is characterized by having a “rich loamy soil" with the right conditions to produce a high quality Assam. Upper Assam is well known for its climate and soil suitable for tea production.
The tea plants grown in the estate are produced from clones such as TV-1, which is tolerant to a prolonged shortage of rainfalls, as well as S3A3 clones, P126A, T3E3 and others. Halmari specializes in orthodox teas. As such, the estate only uses orthodox clones.
Products of Halmari Tea Estate
- Halmari Gold: a tea that is exclusively plucked from the P126A clone, it has a malty flavor and golden tips from where its name is derived.
- Silver Tips: this tea has been sun dried to give it a mild flavor with a taste of cocoa and honey. According to Amarawati, the Halmari estate is one of the few growers in Assam to produce this tea. The leaves used for the silver tips are only the youngest of buds that have carefully been hand picked.
- Crush Tear Curl Halmari: the highest CTC in Assam Tea Exchange, it is described by the company as a very smooth and bright cup. This is a tea that can be enjoyed with or without milk and perfect for the mornings. Some customers describe this tea as being bold and robust, with a caramel note at first sip and no bitterness.
Who sells Halmari Tea?
Halmari Estate teas are sold all over the world. The Assam teas are especially popular in the United Kingdom and Switzerland, where it is sold by tea boutiques such as Queen Camellia & Langgasstee, two of the finest in the country.
Online, it is possible to buy Halmari tea at several stores. The list of stores and availability of the Halmari tea depend on the season and whether retailers are willing and able to carry the tea year round. The best advice is to search for Halmari tea to see which reputable stores currently carry this delicious Assam tea.