Frequently Asked Questions About Maayah Tea
Find quick answers about Maayah Tea, our handmade process, our 25-year family garden, and the rich tea heritage of Assam.
•Maayah Tea •Handmade Tea  •Assam Tea
About Maayah Tea
Who is Maayah Tea?
Maayah Tea is a family-run tea brand from Assam dedicated to crafting pure, handmade teas in small micro-lots. Our teas come from our own 25-year-old garden, where leaves are hand-plucked and processed with care. We focus on authenticity, minimal-input practices, and clean flavours that reflect the true spirit of Assam.
What makes Maayah Tea’s teas handmade?
Every leaf at Maayah Tea is hand-plucked, gently hand-rolled, and dried in small batches without heavy machinery. This preserves the leaf’s natural oils, structure, and aroma. Handmade processing allows us to craft teas with greater depth, clarity, and individuality compared to mass-produced teas.
What is your 25-year family garden story?
Our tea journey began with a small family garden established over 25 years ago in Assam. Over time, we shifted from conventional practices to micro-lot handmade tea making. Today, our garden reflects tradition, care, and a commitment to producing clean, authentic Assam teas with a personal touch.
Why do you follow minimal-input cultivation?
We reduced chemical inputs to protect soil health, plant vitality, and long-term sustainability. Minimal-input cultivation keeps the tea closer to its natural state while supporting a healthier environment. This approach also enhances flavour purity, giving our teas a clean, honest character.
What are micro-lot teas at Maayah Tea?
Micro-lot teas are extremely small batches harvested and processed with precise attention to detail. Each lot reflects specific plucking days, weather conditions, and handcrafted techniques. This results in teas with unique personalities and distinct flavour profiles that cannot be replicated in large-scale production.
How is Maayah Tea different from other Assam tea brands?
Maayah Tea is one of the few producers in Assam focusing exclusively on handmade micro-lot teas. Our minimal-input cultivation, small-batch processing, and detailed craftsmanship ensure authentic flavours and clean quality. Unlike machine-made teas, ours retain natural character and deeper aroma.
Handmade Tea
What is handmade Assam tea?
Handmade Assam tea is crafted entirely by hand—plucking, rolling, shaping, and drying without industrial machines. This gentle process preserves the leaf’s natural oils and brings out richer aroma and smoother texture. It represents the traditional artistry of tea making in Assam.
How is handmade tea different from machine-made tea?
Machine-made teas are processed in large volumes, often breaking leaves and reducing aromatic complexity. Handmade teas are handled slowly and carefully in small batches, preserving leaf integrity. This results in improved clarity, aroma, and overall flavour quality that machines cannot replicate.
Why does handmade tea taste better?
Handmade teas retain more essential oils and avoid the harsh rolling and cutting associated with machines. Every step is controlled, allowing flavours to develop naturally. This creates layered aromas, soft sweetness, and deeper character, making handmade teas more expressive and enjoyable.
What steps are involved in your handmade tea process?
Our handmade process includes selective plucking, gentle withering, slow hand-rolling, natural oxidation, and careful drying. Each stage is done in micro-lots to preserve quality and highlight Assam’s terroir. This traditional approach ensures clean, rich flavours in every batch.
Is handmade tea healthier or fresher?
Handmade tea is often fresher because it is processed immediately after plucking with minimal bruising. This helps retain antioxidants, polyphenols, and essential oils. Without heavy machinery or chemicals, handmade tea remains closer to its natural form and offers a cleaner, more vibrant cup.
How should handmade tea be brewed?
Use about 2 grams of tea per cup. Steep black tea for 2–3 minutes and green tea for 1.5–2 minutes using slightly cooler water for delicate leaves. Avoid over-steeping to maintain balance. You can adjust steeping time to match your taste preference.
Assam Tea & Origins
What makes Assam a special tea-growing region?
Assam’s tropical climate, abundant rainfall, and fertile alluvial soil create perfect conditions for producing strong, flavourful teas. Its unique terroir results in bold character and natural sweetness. Assam is internationally recognised as one of the world’s premier tea-growing regions.
What flavours is Assam tea known for?
Assam tea is renowned for its malty richness, warm honey-like aroma, and full body. Handmade Assam teas can offer even deeper flavours, including notes of cocoa, caramel, and floral hints. These distinctive characteristics make Assam tea a global favourite.
How does Assam’s climate influence tea quality?
<p>The region’s heavy monsoon rains, high humidity, and warm temperatures contribute to fast leaf growth and concentrated flavour. These conditions produce teas with strong body, deep colour, and signature maltiness. Assam’s climate is a key factor in its famous taste profile.
Why is handmade Assam tea rare?
Most Assam tea is produced using machines to meet large-scale demand. Handmade tea requires skill, time, and small-batch processing, making it labour-intensive. Only a handful of producers like Maayah Tea invest in preserving this artisanal craft, which is why handmade Assam tea is limited and special.
Is Assam tea popular globally?
Yes, Assam tea is one of the most widely enjoyed black teas in the world. Its bold flavour and rich aroma make it popular in Europe, the UK, the US, and Asia. Handmade Assam teas are gaining global attention for their superior artisanal quality. Learn more tea insights on our <a href=”https://www.maayahtea.com/blog/”>Blog</a>.
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