Nestled in the lush, vibrant landscapes of Dibrugarh, Assam, lies Assam Heritage Tea—an independent, family-run tea estate that stands out not just for the quality of its teas but for its commitment to sustainability, tradition, and community empowerment. Run by the Baruah family, Assam Heritage Tea is more than just a business. It’s a story of resilience, respect for the land, and a dedication to creating exceptional teas that honor Assam’s rich tea heritage.
At Route 636 Tea Co., we are proud to partner with Assam Heritage Tea and bring you two of their remarkable offerings: Heritage Assam Pekoe and Heritage Smoky Green Tea. Each tea is a testament to the estate’s sustainable practices, innovative techniques, and commitment to producing teas that delight the palate while supporting environmental and social responsibility.
Meet the Baruah Family
The heart and soul behind Assam Heritage Tea are Rajen Baruah and his son Ishan Baruah, whose passion for sustainable and ethical tea production drives every aspect of the estate. Rajen, the founder, spent 30 years working with large, industrial tea corporations in Assam. This experience gave him an intimate understanding of the tea industry—both its potential and its pitfalls.
Disillusioned by the environmental degradation and exploitation often associated with large-scale tea production, Rajen set out to create something different. In founding Assam Heritage Tea, he aimed to preserve Assam’s traditional tea-making culture and techniques while fostering sustainable farming practices that would empower local farmers and protect the environment.
Today, Rajen works closely with Ishan, blending his decades of expertise with his son’s modern perspectives on ethical production and sustainability. Together, they have transformed Assam Heritage Tea into a model of what tea farming can and should be—a harmonious balance of tradition, innovation, and respect for the planet.A Commitment to Sustainability
One of the defining features of Assam Heritage Tea is its unwavering commitment to sustainability. From the way the tea is grown to the practices employed during production, every step is designed to minimize environmental impact while supporting the local community.
1. Chemical-Free Farming
Assam Heritage Tea is proud to be completely pesticide-free. By rejecting chemical inputs, Heritage Tea is protecting the health of folks in the field and surrounding communities and also ensuring that their teas are free of potentially harmful residues. Beyond this, they rely on vermicompost—a nutrient-rich compost made by local producers—to enrich the soil and promote healthy plant growth.
2. Preserving Biodiversity
The estate prioritizes biodiversity, fostering a thriving ecosystem where plants, insects, and animals coexist. By maintaining tree cover and planting native vegetation, they provide habitats for local wildlife and improve soil quality, creating a self-sustaining environment that benefits everyone involved.
3. Empowering Local Farmers
Rajen’s vision for Assam Heritage Tea goes beyond growing and selling tea. He is passionate about empowering small-scale farmers by teaching them to cultivate quality tea leaves using sustainable methods. By sharing his knowledge, he helps them achieve economic independence and contribute to Assam’s legacy as one of the world’s premier tea regions.
4. Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Modern Efficiency
The estate employs traditional tea-making techniques wherever possible, blending them with modern innovations that reduce waste and energy consumption. For instance, their firewood-smoking process uses locally sourced materials in a way that honors age-old methods while adding a unique flavor profile to their green tea.
Heritage Assam Pekoe
When it comes to showcasing the robust, malty flavors that have made Assam tea world-famous, Heritage Assam Pekoe delivers in spades.
The Making of Assam Pekoe
This tea begins with hand-plucked leaves, ensuring only the finest buds and leaves are selected. The leaves are then carefully processed using a tea-cutting machine to achieve their signature small leaf size. This meticulous process enhances the tea’s ability to steep quickly, creating a strong, full-bodied cup every time.
Flavor Profile
Heritage Assam Pekoe is everything you could want in a morning brew. Its deep red liquor exudes a robust malty character, perfectly balanced by bright citrus and rose undertones. Whether you enjoy it plain or with a splash of milk, this tea provides a bold, energizing experience that’s perfect for jump-starting your day.
Health Benefits
Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, this tea is as good for your body as it is for your taste buds. It’s also high in caffeine and contains L-theanine, which promotes sustained mental alertness without the jitters—making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a balanced energy boost.
Heritage Smoky Green Tea
For those who crave something a little more unique, Heritage Smoky Green Tea is a true standout. This one-of-a-kind tea brings a bold, smoky twist to the delicate flavors of green tea, resulting in a drink that’s both comforting and invigorating.
The Art of Smoking Green Tea
This tea is a labor of love, crafted using a firewood-smoking process that transforms its flavor profile. After the leaves are handpicked and processed as a green tea, they are smoked over locally sourced firewood. This technique infuses the tea with a savory-sweet complexity that is truly unparalleled.
Flavor Profile
The base green tea has a natural sweetness and mineral quality, which is elevated by the smoking process to create a rich, bold flavor. Fans of smoked teas like Lapsang Souchong or robust Japanese greens like sencha will find much to love in this unique offering.
Perfect Pairings
Heritage Smoky Green Tea pairs beautifully with savory foods like grilled vegetables or smoked salmon. It’s also an excellent choice for sipping on its own, allowing its nuanced flavors to take center stage.
A Legacy That Benefits All
What sets Assam Heritage Tea apart isn’t just their exceptional teas—it’s the legacy they are building for future generations. By prioritizing sustainability, empowering local farmers, and staying true to their roots, the Baruah family has created a model for ethical tea production that others can follow.
When you enjoy a cup of Heritage Assam Pekoe or Heritage Smoky Green Tea, you’re not just savoring a delicious tea—you’re supporting a vision of tea farming that values people and the planet.
Why We Love Partnering with Assam Heritage Tea
At Route 636 Tea Co., we believe that the best teas are those with stories to tell. Assam Heritage Tea perfectly aligns with our values of sustainability, transparency, and ethical production. Their dedication to producing chemical-free, high-quality teas while uplifting their community embodies everything we stand for.
We are proud to offer their teas in compostable packaging, ensuring that every part of your tea experience—down to the packaging—supports a healthier planet.
How to Enjoy Heritage Teas
Here are a few tips for brewing and enjoying Assam Heritage Tea’s offerings:
Brewing Heritage Assam Pekoe
- Water Temperature: 90–95°C (194–203°F)
- Steep Time: 3–4 minutes
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy with or without milk and sugar. For a traditional Indian chai, steep the tea with spices like cardamom and cinnamon.
Brewing Heritage Firewood Green Tea
- Water Temperature: 75–80°C (167–176°F)
- Steep Time: 2–3 minutes
- Serving Suggestions: Sip plain to appreciate its smoky flavors, or pair with your favorite savory dishes.
A Tea Journey Worth Savoring
Whether you’re new to Assam teas or a seasoned enthusiast, Assam Heritage Tea’s offerings are an invitation to experience the richness of Assam’s tea culture. Each cup tells a story of tradition, sustainability, and innovation—a story that we at Route 636 Tea Co. are honored to share with you.
So, go ahead. Brew a cup of Heritage Assam Pekoe to energize your morning or indulge in the smoky depth of Heritage Smoky Green Tea for a moment of calm. With every sip, you’re not just enjoying incredible tea—you’re supporting a brighter, more sustainable future for tea lovers everywhere.