Archive · 16 Nov 2025
South India's Diverse Tea Production Beyond Darjeeling and Assam
When people think of Indian tea, they usually think of places like Darjeeling or Assam.
But India has many other tea areas, including in the south.
While the south produces less tea than other parts of India, it has many special types.
Awards like The Golden Leaf India Awards help show the world how unique the teas from places like Kerala and Tamil Nadu are.
These awards have been around for 20 years and bring attention to teas from areas such as Nilgiris, Wayanad, and Anamallais.
Before these awards, people didn't know much about the different kinds of teas from South India.
Now, these awards are helping to share their special qualities with everyone.
South India contributes approximately 17% to India's total tea production.
The Golden Leaf India Awards (TGLIA), organized by the Uniter Planters’ Association of South India, aims to promote South Indian teas.
In its 20th year, the TGLIA featured entries from various South Indian regions including Nilgiris, Wayanad, Travancore, High Ranges, and Anamallais.
These regions span across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Karnataka.
TGLIA has been instrumental in highlighting the unique attributes of different South Indian tea-producing areas, moving beyond generalized descriptions.
- Who
- The Uniter Planters’ Association of South India and tea producers from South India
- What
- Highlighting the diverse tea-producing regions and unique attributes of South Indian teas through The Golden Leaf India Awards.
- When
- Recently announced awards, with the awards in their 20th year.
- Where
- South India, including regions like Nilgiris, Wayanad, Travancore, High Ranges, Anamallais, parts of Karnataka, and smaller regions in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- To promote and showcase the specialized characteristics of various South Indian tea regions, which were previously generalized.
- South India's Tea Production Volume
- Approximately 17% of India's total tea production
- Award Body Promoting South Indian Teas
- The Golden Leaf India Awards (TGLIA)
- Organizing Body of TGLIA
- Uniter Planters’ Association of South India
- TGLIA's Anniversary
- 20th year
- Featured Tea Regions in Awards
- Nilgiris, Wayanad, Travancore (Kerala), High Ranges (Kerala & Tamil Nadu), Anamallais (Tamil Nadu), parts of Karnataka, Nelliyampatti (Kerala), Singampatti, Kanyakumari, Madurai (Tamil Nadu)