National Tea Day

In Nepal tea is more than just a drink, it is a part of our everyday life, a symbol of hospitality, and a growing industry. National Tea Day, celebrated on 15 Baisakh, is an occasion to honor Nepal’s long-standing tea culture and industry. Be it morning cups at home, roadside tea stalls, or luxurious organic tea gardens, tea culture has become an integral part of everyday life.

History of Tea in Nepal

Nepal’s history of tea cultivation dates back to 1863 AD (1920 BS) when the Ilam Tea Estate was established in the hills of the Ilam district. However, historians believe that the first tea bushes in Nepal were grown from seeds gifted by the Chinese Emperor to Jung Bahadur Rana, Nepal’s then Prime Minister. Tea cultivation in Nepal is thought to have started around the same time as its introduction in the Darjeeling hills of India.

An important figure in Nepal’s tea history is Gajaraj Singh Thapa, who is credited with planting tea for the first time in Ilam. Recognizing tea’s potential as an industry, Nepal expanded its cultivation in 1865 AD (1922 BS) with the establishment of Soktim Tea Estate in Jhapa.

Challenges and Growth of the Tea Industry

Nepal’s tea industry initially, struggled to grow due to political instability under the Rana regime and restrictive economic policies. After the democratic movement of 1950, investment in tea cultivation increased, leading to the establishment of the Bhudhakaran Tea Estate in 1959 and the Nepal Tea Development Corporation (NTDC) in 1966. While Nepalese tea was initially exported to Darjeeling for processing, the first tea factories were set up in Ilam (1978) and Soktim, Jhapa (1980s).

To boost development in the tea industry, the His Majesty’s Government of Nepal under the reign of the then King of Nepal Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev declared Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, and Terhathum as Tea Zones in 1982. As the industry expanded, the National Tea and Coffee Development Board was established in 1993 to regulate production, support farmers, and promote Nepali tea in global markets.

Tea is deeply rooted in Nepalese hospitality. Whether, it may be while welcoming guests at home, sharing stories at roadside tea stalls, or enjoying a cup during office breaks, tea fosters connections and warmth in everyday interactions. From the traditional milk tea (dudh chiya) to the soothing butter tea (su cha) in the Himalayan regions different tea varieties reflect Nepal’s cultural diversity and lifestyle.