About Abali Organic Tea

Founded in 1998 by Jatan Pulu, Binod Saharia, and the late Narendra Tibrewal, Abali was created around a belief that exceptional tea could be grown by working with nature rather than against it. In 2004, it became the first Certified Organic Tea Estate in Arunachal Pradesh, marking an important milestone for organic tea cultivation in this relatively unexplored tea-growing region of Northeast India.

Today, Abali organic tea produces premium organic green tea, orthodox whole-leaf black tea, and CTC granular black tea, combining organic cultivation with ancient Indian agricultural knowledge and small-batch tea craftsmanship.

A Tea Estate Shaped by Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh remains one of the lesser-known yet fascinating origins in the story of Indian specialty tea.

Abali's location in the Lower Dibang Valley gives its teas a distinctive sense of place. The estate sits in a landscape shaped by mountains, forests, river systems, and the diverse indigenous cultures of Northeast India.

The region is home to communities including the Idu Mishmi and Adi Padam tribes, whose relationship with the surrounding forests and land stretches back generations. For the Idu Mishmi, nature also carries deep spiritual meaning, reflected in traditions associated with Nani Intaya, the creator of the universe.

It is within this cultural and ecological landscape that Abali's teas are grown.

Where Organic Farming Meets Vrikshayurveda

Perhaps the most distinctive part of Abali's story is its approach to cultivation.

The estate is a practitioner of Vrikshayurveda, the ancient Indian knowledge system concerned with plant health, soil, cultivation, and agriculture. At Abali, these principles have been introduced under the guidance of Swami Valmiki Srinivasa Ayangarya, the estate's Vedic advisor.

Instead of relying on conventional chemical interventions, the approach looks at the tea garden as a connected natural system.

Traditional organic practices are used to help maintain soil fertility, mineral balance, soil pH, plant health, and natural pest management. Every tea bush is nurtured patiently, with an emphasis on strengthening the relationship between healthy soil, healthy plants, and the surrounding ecosystem.

For Abali, organic is therefore more than a certification — it is part of the philosophy of how tea should be grown.

Small-Batch Tea Making in the Himalayas

Once the leaves leave the garden, craftsmanship takes over.

Abali's organic green and orthodox teas are processed in a small, unconventional factory designed by John W. Steinherr of Shillong. The estate also operates a mini CTC facility, allowing different styles of tea to be produced close to where the leaves are harvested.

Keeping processing near the garden helps retain the connection between cultivation and finished tea while giving tea makers greater control over individual batches.

The focus remains on producing teas with purity, freshness, natural character, and minimal unnecessary intervention.

Three Expressions of Abali Organic Tea

Organic Green Tea

Abali Organic Green Tea offers a fresh way to experience tea from Arunachal Pradesh. Carefully processed to preserve the natural character of the leaves, it is suited to tea drinkers looking for a clean, refreshing brew as part of their everyday wellness routine.

Organic Orthodox Whole Leaf Tea

For those who enjoy exploring the nuances of loose-leaf tea, Abali's Organic Orthodox Whole Leaf Tea allows the character of the leaf to take centre stage. It can be enjoyed without milk for a clearer appreciation of its natural flavour and aroma, or prepared according to personal preference.

Organic CTC Tea

Abali's Organic CTC Tea brings its organic philosophy to the familiar Indian cup. Stronger and more robust in character, it is particularly well suited to brewing with milk, sugar, ginger, cardamom, or other traditional spices.

Together, the three styles demonstrate how one Himalayan estate can produce very different expressions of the same landscape.

An Organic Tea Story from India's Northeast

What makes Abali particularly interesting is not simply that it produces organic tea. It is the combination of Arunachal Pradesh terroir, certified organic cultivation, Vrikshayurveda practices, indigenous cultural influences, and artisanal processing that gives the estate its identity.

At a time when tea drinkers are increasingly interested in knowing where their tea comes from and how it is grown, Abali offers a story that begins with the soil.

For those looking beyond India's better-known tea regions, Abali Organic Tea Estate offers an opportunity to discover the emerging world of Arunachal Pradesh tea — grown organically in the Himalayan foothills and shaped by a philosophy that puts nature first.