The history of tea cultivation in Nepal dates back to 130 year ago when it was firststarted in the eastern hills of Nepal adjoining to Darjeeling hills, Private individuals who hadcultivated tea bushes for their household consumption made the early efforts in teacultivation. Tea cultivation has been taken as a commercial enterprise after establishment ofthe Nepal Tea Development Corporation in 1967. In 1985 the government declared the easterndistricts of Jhapa, Illam, Panchthar, Terhathum and Dhankuta, a ‘tea zone’ (except Jhapa, all‘tea zone’ situated in the hills). The far eastern mountain Illam and Kanyam are famous forflavors orthodox tea whereas the lowland plain areas of eastern Nepal is popular for CTC tea.Tea bushes typically produce “Flushes: or growth of tealeaves that are harvested manytimes a year in Nepal. Each flush produced has its own distinct following character suitable fordifferent preferences, and different times of the day.
 

Spring lush:

 The cropping season begins from late February to mid-April following thefirst light showers after winter. These are springtime teas. The young leaves yield a light tea,which has a light golden colour and a delicate aroma. A connoissour’s delight.

Summer Flush:

The second flush is gathered during May and June. These teas are morefully constructed than the first flush varieties. The liquor is bright, the taste full and moundwith a fruity note.

Monsoon Flush:

The monsoon reaches the eastern part of Nepal by June end andcontinues till the end of September. The teas produced during this period contain a lot ofmoisture and are of standard quality. They have more colours and are stronger. While thespring and Monsoon flush are afternoon teas, the monsoon flush is a morning.

Autumn Flush:

 October yields another batch of vintage teas know as the Autumnal. TheAutumnal features extraordinary combinations of Muscat flavour, rich aroma and lingeringlemon to amber with the season. They can be drunk in the morning with milk.

The major export markets of Nepalese tea are Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Hong Kong, U.K.,Switzerland, Australia, Netherlands, USA. The medicated and herbal tea of Nepal have beenvery popular in these markets.

Along with the tea, coffee is also emerging as a potential export product of Nepal. Coffee iscultivated in some packet area of middle part of Nepal such a Gulmi, Palpa, Syanja, Lalitpurand Kavre district. Conducive agro climatic environment for coffee has encouraged the farmersin cultivation of coffee. It can be cultivated in barren and steep lands. It is high valuedcommercial crops having promising market potentialities at home and abroad. There is gooddemand for Nepalese coffee in overseas market as people prefers roasted coffee beans ratherthan the instant one.

Japan and Netherlands are existing export markets for Nepalese coffee.