A Day at Wah Tea Estate — Where Your Tea Comes From

Set in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range, a day at Wah Tea Estate in the Kangra Valley begins quietly, with the garden still wrapped in mountain air and the first light settling over the slopes. This is when the work starts—not in a rush, but with intention. This is a working tea plantation, where every step—from garden to cup—is part of daily life rather than a performance.

The day begins in the tea gardens, when the air is still cool and the light soft. Tea at Wah is hand-plucked, allowing for careful selection of only the finest leaf. Experienced pluckers choose two leaves and a bud, a practice that protects the health of the bush while ensuring consistency and quality. Hand plucking may be slower, but it directly shapes the flavour and character of the tea.

From the garden, the fresh leaf moves into the factory, where time is spent overseeing each stage of tea manufacturing. Withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying are closely observed, guided by the condition of the leaf rather than rigid timelines. Aroma, texture, humidity, and temperature all inform small decisions made through the day. This thoughtful approach is what gives Kangra Valley tea its light body and layered complexity.

Once manufactured, the tea is sorted carefully to ensure that only the highest-quality leaf makes it through. Sorting is an essential but often unseen step, bringing clarity and consistency to the final cup. Each batch is assessed individually, reinforcing the estate’s focus on quality over volume.

Between factory sessions, there is time to walk through the tea gardens. These walks are part of everyday work—checking bush health, observing new growth, monitoring soil conditions, and understanding how the season is unfolding. Tea is an agricultural product first, deeply shaped by landscape and care.

For those curious to experience this process firsthand, Wah Tea Estate offers guided tea tours and tastings that walk visitors through the gardens, factory, and finishing with a cup brewed at the source. The day often ends at the estate café, overlooking the very slopes where the tea was grown. Sitting with a warm cup brings the process full circle—quietly connecting place, people, and the tea in your hands. For anyone seeking a tea plantation visit in Himachal Pradesh, a day at Wah Tea Estate offers something simple, grounded, and real.