Dodabetta Tea Factory: South India’s Highest Elevation Tea Factory

As a college student, touring factories has always been a thrilling experience for me. It makes us mindful of the products we use daily by teaching us about the process, the hard work, and the technology that goes into its production. Therefore, while on my road trip to Ooty and Mysore, I visited the Dodabetta Tea Factory, the highest-elevation tea factory in South India.

Tea is a popular beverage worldwide, especially in India. While it serves as a refreshing drink for some, it’s a crucial morning staple for others. Organic India’s Green Tea and Vedaka’s Gold Tea are two of my favorite tea brands I often devoured in India.

Dodabetta Tea Factory

Nestled on the foothills of Dodabetta peak, the Tea Factory and Museum offers visitors a comprehensive tour of the tea production process, from leaves to grains. If the mere thought of tea makes your mouth water, this factory visit is a must-see! The entire site has four sections: the tea factory, the museum, the souvenir shops, and the chocolate factory, which takes roughly 2 hours to explore entirely. If you are short on time, we suggest taking this fun guided tour to maximize your experience in Ooty. Alternatively, you can explore this pristine hill station at your pace with our self-guided itinerary.

Inside Tea Factory

Prepare to embark on a complete tour of the tea manufacturing process, with the stimulating scent of freshly crushed leaves guiding you every step of the way. Don’t worry if the aroma makes you crave a steaming cup of tea – a tea-tasting counter awaits you at the factory exit. Be sure to try the chocolate tea, and don’t forget to pick up some to share with your loved ones back home.

Be sure to check out my video tour of the Tea Factory, offering a detailed look at the tea production process from the leaf to grain.

7 Step Tea making process

Step 1: Plucking

The first step involves plucking fresh green leaves from the tea gardens. The soft two-faced leaves are harvested daily and sent to the factory three to four times a day. The task is usually performed by women who wear baskets on their backs with a strap holding it on their heads, as it requires a gentle touch.

Step 2: Withering

After being harvested, the leaves are weighed and spread onto troughs. Conditioned air is circulated between the leaves, removing the surface moisture, concentrating, and chemically breaking down the tea juices. This process takes between 10 and 14 hours to bring the leaves to a soft and rubbery condition suitable for the subsequent stages of production.

Step 3: Rolling

Next, the Rotorvane machine twists the leaves inside, causing the cell walls to rupture and bringing the juices to the surface of the leaves. This process typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes, after which they separate the twisted and untwisted leaves. This step also helps to reduce heat buildup. The rolled leaves are passed over the roll breaker, while the unrolled ones are put back into the rollers.

Step 4: Fermentation

The fermentation process transforms the tea’s flavor, strength, and color, causing it to shift from a greenish hue to a coppery brown.

Step 5: Drying

During the drying process, the leaves are fed through driers that contain large circuits of perforated trays. It helps in removing any remaining moisture and takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 6: Sifting

Lastly, the tea particles are sorted based on their sizes and undergo a thorough cleaning process to remove any remaining stalks and fibers.

Step 7: Packing

The tea is then packed in plywood tea chests or multi-walled aluminum craft paper lined paper sacks to avoid moisture.

Tea Museum

As the Tea Factory provides a glimpse into the tea-making process, the Tea Museum offers a captivating journey through the evolution and discovery of tea. It’s fascinating to witness the growth and development of technology used to produce the finest teas.

Souvenir Shop at Dodabetta Tea Factory

At the exit of the Tea Factory, you’ll discover a souvenir shop offering a diverse selection of both flavored and traditional teas. You can also purchase the tea and chocolates online on their official website. In addition, the shop boasts a vast array of natural oils, including Eucalyptus (my favorite), tea, camphor, and more, as well as an impressive collection of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and other varieties.

Chocolate Factory inside Dodabetta Tea Factory

Located on the second floor of the Tea Factory, the Chocolate Factory is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. Visitors can watch as homemade chocolates are made in the open kitchen. Specialties include rum and raisin, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and sugar-free options. Don’t miss out on the delectable dark chocolate-dipped doughnuts on your way out – they’re heavenly!

We would love to hear about your Tea Factory experience in the comments below. 🙂