Cooch Behar, West Bengal

Mekhliganj Tea

Mekhliganj, a subdivision of Cooch Behar district on the Saniajaan River, is ornamented with a cluster of tea gardens and is a known centre of tea tourism in North Bengal. The block hosts several dozen registered tea gardens, and visitors stay at tea resorts set inside the estates to experience plantation life about three hours from Siliguri. Estate teas are sold locally and to tourists visiting Mekhliganj. Buyers get fresh plantation tea along with the estate visit, a staple stop for tourists touring the Cooch Behar region.

Typical price: ₹300-1500

Buying tip: Buy estate tea directly from the plantation shops and tea resorts in Mekhliganj rather than resellers, and pair the purchase with a short stay at a Mekhliganj tea resort. Prices vary widely by grade, so ask for the estate name and plucking grade.