March 27, 2024

Tea plantation near Munnar, Kerala, India

Tea plantation near Munnar, India

Situated amid the misty heights of the Western Ghats Mountain range, Munnar is a hill station and town in the Idukki district of Kerala in India. At approximately 1,600 metres above sea level, the town boasts a landscape characterised by rolling hills, lush valleys and verdant tea plantations. In the 1880s, European settlers established the first tea plantations in the region, marking the beginning of a flourishing industry that would shape the landscape and economy for decades to come.

India is one of the world's leading tea producers, boasting a rich tradition of tea cultivation that spans centuries. While the country produces a significant quantity of tea, with over 70 percent consumed domestically, it is also renowned for producing some of the finest teas globally, such as Assam and Darjeeling. Over the years, the Indian tea industry has undergone remarkable growth, evolving into a technologically advanced and globally competitive sector.