Guwahati: If you’re sensitive to caffeine, Assam is set to offer a perfect brew. The state is poised to house India’s first decaffeinated black tea factory, marking a new chapter for the country’s tea industry.
Decaffeinated black tea is regular black tea from which most naturally occurring caffeine has been removed, while retaining its characteristic taste, aroma, and health benefits. While many enjoy the energising effects of caffeine, some are sensitive to it or prefer a gentler beverage suitable for evenings.
Until now, India lacked indigenous technology capable of removing 95% or more caffeine from black tea without affecting its natural qualities. This gap has been bridged by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, which developed the country’s first homegrown decaffeination process.
The breakthrough was formally launched in New Delhi during CSIR’s 84th Foundation Day celebrations, presided over by Union Minister of Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh. The technology has been transferred to two firms: Jalan Investments Pvt Ltd, Dibrugarh, Assam, and Gangwal Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Mumbai. Jalan Investments will lead tea production in Assam, while Gangwal Healthcare is focusing on a green process of caffeine extraction from tea waste for pharmaceutical use, with a major plant planned in Tinsukia.
The technology was developed by a group of scientists at CSIR-NEIST Jorhat, led by Dr Bipul Das, Principal Scientist, Chemical Engineering Division, under the guidance of V Tewari, Director of NEIST. A senior CSIR-NEIST official said, “There is no Indian decaffeinated tea technology that removes 95% or more caffeine from black tea. For the first time, Assam black tea can be enjoyed almost caffeine-free while retaining the same flavour and aroma it is known for.”
Experts say global demand for decaffeinated teas is rising, driven by health-conscious consumers, a preference for non-caffeinated beverages, and the growing range of specialty tea products. A recent market study noted that the decaffeinated tea market, estimated at $2.5 billion in 2025, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2025 to 2033, reaching $4.5 billion by 2033.
“There is a lot of demand for decaffeinated black tea abroad. We will be setting up the country’s first decaffeinated black tea factory in Dibrugarh with this new technology, likely early next year,” said a senior official from Jalan Investments. The factory will be established at the South Jalan Nagar tea estate in Dibrugarh.
Decaffeinated tea is a value-added product that commands higher prices than regular bulk tea, potentially increasing revenues for tea estates and smallholders in Assam. The move also positions the state to tap into premium global wellness markets while creating new value chains from tea waste.
“We recently developed a green process for caffeine extraction from tea waste. Based on this technology, a large caffeine industry is going to be set up in Tinsukia,” said a NEIST official.
With Assam leading the way, Indian tea is stepping into a future where science, health, and tradition converge in every cup.
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