On a beautiful green hill in the Mae Tang district of Chiang Mai, 520 meters above sea level, is one of the oldest tea gardens in Thailand: Araksa Tea Garden. This was discovered a few years ago and brought back to life.
Tea culture in Thailand
In this beautiful area, native tea plants are cultivated, which are also called jungle trees. Although tea has been grown in Thailand for centuries, commercial tea cultivation with indigenous plants began only about 50-60 years ago.
Around the same time, tea seedlings from Taiwan were introduced to Chiang Rai in other areas of Thailand. Most of the teas produced there were oolong, which are very similar to the culture and tradition of Taiwan and China.
Araksa Tea Garden is different
The Araksa tea variety is different and unique to the area, it is an Assam hybrid that has been around for over 2000 years. Thais consume the tea by fermenting it in a ceramic or bamboo vessel and chewing it with salt. This is similar to chewing tobacco.
When the current owners purchased the tea garden in 2014, they asked a lady from the Lahu Hill Tribe ethnic group to brew the tea for them to taste The Lahu lady picked two young tea leaves and a bud and placed them in a cast iron wok over a portable terracotta charcoal stove. With her hands, she roasted the tea leaves. She turned the leaves over and over and took them out as soon as they were wilted. She then rolled the leaves with her hands and placed them back into the wok, where they continued to roast until they were completely dry. The dried tea leaves were then brewed in hot water and tasted.
During the first tasting of the tea prepared by the Lahu lady, the owners realized that they had the opportunity to develop this tea garden. The garden, which had been untouched for over 15 years, had the best conditions to produce tea of the highest quality. However, at the same time it was very important to them to preserve and continue the culture and tradition of tea making. Thus, method of Lahu lady was adopted until today and is the basis for the creation of Araksa tea line.
Tea of the highest quality
The production of high-quality tea means that the environment and the social well-being of the community are taken into account by all those involved - growers, pickers and producers - to ensure harmonious cooperation.
All of Araksa's teas are grown, harvested and processed in a sustainable manner. This benefits both the environment and the community.
Araksa is one of the first USDA and EU certified organic tea plantations in Thailand, producing only the finest teas free of chemicals and toxins.
At Araksa, a perpetual community is fostered by employing local workers and then equipping them with expertise and skills.
Araksa's teas are single-origin teas that come from the garden through the hands of local people to your cup.
AVPA "Tea of the World'' Awards
Araksa's efforts were quickly rewarded. Just six years after taking over the tea garden, they were honored with the AVPA "Tea of the World'' Awards in Paris in 2020. It was not to stop there, as more awards followed as early as 2021.
2020
Gold Medal Winner (Bluefly tea)
Silver Medal Winner (Araksa Thai tea)
Gourmet Medal Winner (Silk tea)
2021
Gourmet Medal Winner (Arun White Tea)
Gourmet Medal Winner (Sayun White Tea)
Araksa Tea Garden Experience
Araksa offers interested people the opportunity to visit the tea garden. Be it for a traditional Thai lunch, a guided tour of the boutique garden, a tea tasting or just for a short stay and a delicious cup.
We hope you enjoy these delicious teas.