Mumbai · 15 October 2026
Makaibari has been named Heritage Tea Brand of the Year and Luxmi Estates Specialty Tea Brand of the Year at the Bean & Leaf Asia Awards 2026, held as part of Coffee & Tea Asia at the Jio World Convention Centre.
Together, these honours celebrate two distinct expressions of a shared commitment to tea: Makaibari’s enduring Darjeeling heritage and the diversity of Luxmi Estates’ tea-growing regions.
MAKAIBARI
Heritage Tea Brand of the Year
LUXMI ESTATES
Specialty Tea Brand of the Year
Honouring heritage and craftsmanship
The awards celebrate brands across the tea and coffee industry that demonstrate quality, innovation and a deep understanding of their craft. For Makaibari and Luxmi Estates, the recognition reflects a commitment that begins in the garden, with the land, the people who nurture it and the knowledge passed down through generations.
“Every tea has a story shaped by the land it grows on and the people who nurture it. At Luxmi Estates, we are committed to bringing the diversity and character of our teas to a wider audience, while Makaibari represents a heritage that has been nurtured across generations. These recognitions are meaningful milestones for us, acknowledging both our continued focus on quality and craftsmanship and our commitment to preserving the traditions, knowledge and natural environments that make each of our tea-growing regions distinctive.”
Rudra Chatterjee
Managing Director, Luxmi Tea Co Pvt Ltd
Makaibari: a living Darjeeling legacy
Established in 1859 in Kurseong, Darjeeling, Makaibari is the region’s oldest continuously operating tea estate. It became the first tea garden to receive organic certification in 1988, followed by Fairtrade and Demeter biodynamic certifications in 1993.
More than 160 years on, the estate combines traditional knowledge with organic cultivation, biodynamic principles and permaculture. The Heritage Tea Brand of the Year honour recognises a legacy that continues to shape its approach to tea.
Luxmi Estates: many landscapes, distinctive teas
With a legacy dating back to 1912, Luxmi Estates brings together tea gardens across Darjeeling, Assam and Rwanda. Their varied climates and growing conditions give each tea its own aroma, flavour and regional identity.
The Specialty Tea Brand of the Year honour celebrates this breadth, alongside the craftsmanship that brings the character of each growing region to the cup.
In the news
Read coverage of “Luxmi Estates and Makaibari Recognised at the Bean & Leaf Asia Awards 2026” in the publications below.