Question

Which state in India is the largest producer of tea?
(A) West bengal
(B) Tamil nadu
(C) Assam
(D) Kerala

Answer 1

Hint: Since 2013 the consumption of green tea in India was growing by more than 50% per year. The major tea producing provinces in India are: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Sikkim, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Bihar, Orissa.

Complete answer:
India is one of the world's largest tea producers, though more than 70 percent of its tea is consumed within India itself. Most popular teas, such as Assam and Darjeeling, also grow only in India. India's tea industry has grown to become one of the world's largest tea products and has evolved into one of the most technologically advanced tea industries in the world. Tea production, certification, exports, and all other aspects of the Indian tea trade are regulated by the Indian Tea Board. In 1689 Ovington records that tea was taken by banias in Surat without sugar, or mixed with a small number of preserved lemons, and that spicy tea was used to combat headaches, gravel and gripe. Tea leaves for such uses may have originated in China. While trying to introduce tea in India, British colonies realized that large-leafed tea plants were also growing in Assam, and these, when grown in India, responded very well. The same plants have long been cultivated by the Singphos tribe of Assam, as well as the tea chests offered by the tribal ruler Ningroola.

Therefore, the correct option is (C).

Note: Tea grown in India has shown great popularity in Britain, because of its great power, and as a product of nationalism. Tea had been a staple drink when it was first introduced, but it had already fallen in price and was rising in popularity among workers. The Temperance movement strongly recommended drinking tea, from the early 19C onwards, as an alternative to alcohol - water is questionable quality, but the perfect boiling needed for tea to make it safer.