Located in the enchanting Mirik Valley, Okayti Tea Estate holds a fascinating history that adds to its allure. Originally known as Rangdoo Tea Estate, it was established in 1871 and later renamed "Okayti,". The esteemed British company Jardine Henderson Ltd took over its management in the early 20th century, leading to significant expansions and establishing its reputation as a premier tea producer. After India's independence, the Indian Tea Association (ITA) took charge, ensuring the estate's continued success. Okayti Tea Estate's rich history, breathtaking surroundings, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made it a cherished part of the Darjeeling tea industry, captivating tea connoisseurs worldwide.
It’s interesting to note how OKAYTI got its name. This tea estate originally called RANGDOO was planted as early as the 1870’s by the British. Teas from OKAYTI is a class apart with a distinctive flavour due to it’s location, soil and natural agro-climatic conditions. Within a short span of time OKAYTI tea became so popular at the London tea auctions that it came to known as ‘THE ONLY OKAY TEA’, and soon the estate was rechristened ‘OKAYTI’. Prior to Indian independence OKAYTI was served as an exclusivity at the Buckingham Palace. OKAYTI tea was gifted to aristocrats by aristocrats all over the world. Some of the regular OKAYTI tea lovers of those times would include Queen Elizabeth, Premier Krushchev, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to name a few. The OKAYTI tea garden factory was built in 1888 and stands proudly till today, producing daily some of the finest Darjeeling tea.
