The four heavenly gates

Origin of ingredients

Chardwar tea garden

Terroir

The Chardwar tea garden is located in the Sonitpur district, on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Situated close to Kaziranga National Park, the garden is surrounded by coniferous forests and meadows dotted with hills. The district has a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. There are numerous water springs and lakes such as Rowmari, Dighali, Borsola and Rongapani. Most of the annual rainfall comes from the monsoon, ensuring irrigation of the fields but also causing rivers to overflow and flood the plains. As a result, alluvial soils predominate here. The region is home to an abundance of flora. Evergreen and deciduous trees are home to many endemic species, such as the golden langur and the crowned hornbill.

Community projects

After years of neglect, the reopening of the Chardwar Garden in 2015 led to a much-needed modernization of its infrastructure. The construction of a new factory has increased the quality and quantity of tea produced. Emphasis has also been placed on strengthening fair trade practices. The fairtrade premium enabled the garden to invest in solar panels and well water treatment, thus improving the quality of life of its community. The growers have also invested in soil protection measures to improve rainwater retention and limit the risk of landslides during the monsoon season.