Arunachal Pradesh Singpho Phalap, popularly known as Singpho Tea, Bamboo Tea, Coin Tea and Smoked Tea, is one of India鈥檚 oldest and most distinctive indigenous tea traditions. This unique tea originates from the Singpho tribe inhabiting the districts of Changlang and Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh along with the adjoining Margherita subdivision in Tinsukia district of Assam. Documentary evidence dating back to 350 BC suggests that tea was grown and consumed indigenously by the Singpho community long before the rise of commercial tea cultivation in India. The Singpho people have traditionally consumed this tea not merely as a beverage but also for digestive health, emotional wellbeing and mental clarity.
Singpho Phalap is completely different from Orthodox and CTC teas. The tea is prepared from naturally growing wild tea shrubs that often reach heights of over ten feet, traditionally requiring harvesters to pluck leaves with the help of elephants. After harvesting, the tender leaves are roasted in a traditional pan known as 鈥淢ohk谩ng鈥� to stop fermentation, then sun-dried or smoke-dried before being tightly stuffed into green bamboo tubes called 鈥淣dum鈥�. These bamboo tubes are repeatedly roasted over fire, compacted, heavily smoked and carefully aged for years. This unique process imparts a naturally smoky aroma, bamboo flavour and smooth earthy character to the tea, making it one of the rarest tribal Pu鈥檈rh-style teas in the world.
The processed tea can be preserved for many years and is believed to improve with age, much like fine wine. The Singpho people traditionally store the bamboo tubes above fireplaces where the tea continues to ripen slowly. Small portions are sliced from the hardened bamboo-packed tea and brewed to create a bright golden-orange to dark amber liquor with smooth body, balanced mild smoky flavour and lingering earthy notes. Depending on the style of preparation, the tea may range from lightly aromatic smoky flavour to stronger bitter brews known as 鈥淧halap-Khah鈥�. The tea is traditionally consumed without milk or sugar and is regarded as an essential part of Singpho culture and hospitality. Recognising its unique tribal heritage and traditional processing method, Arunachal Pradesh Singpho Phalap (Singpho Tea) was officially advertised in GI Journal 180 under Application Number 935 in September 20, 2023.
