Overview of LaKyrsiew
LaKyrsiew is a tiny organic tea garden tucked away in the cloudy hills beside Umiam Lake within Shillong - the capital city of the state of Meghalaya in India. Its location is nestled between Assam and Darjeeling where the tea produced adopts qualities from both environments. Meghalaya is Sanskrit for "abode of the clouds" as the state is known for its beautiful landscapes and high rainfall creating the mists that linger around the hill tops. LaKyrsiew itself is the Khasi Indian language for "the awakening".
Founded by Geert Linnebank and his wife, Nayantara, they established the garden in 2002 to revitalise previously abandoned plans of cultivating tea on Nayan's ancestral land. Their son, Boris, is also involved in the day to day operations of the garden and is our primary point of contact for LaKyrsiew.
Since the 1840s the British East India company recognised Meghalaya's favourable terroir for the sake of tea cultivation especially around present-day Shillong.
Planting began in 2002 using both Darjeeling clonal cultivars such as the well known AV2 and Chinese varietals. By 2008 the micro-factory was established producing black, green and white teas. In the present day they now work with one of India's most sought-after advisors in the tea industry - tea manufacturing consultant Nalin Modha.
Sustainability At LaKyrsiew
LaKyrsiew's sustainability ethos is grounded in the vision of its fuonders Nayan and Geert, with the continued stewardship by their son Boris and the technical expertise from Nalin Modha.
Since planting began in 2002 they have committed fully to organic, chemical-free cultivation with a focus on the gardens adopting as much as possible from the natural surrounding environment. Contour planting is used to carefully preserve native forest patches and to protect the soil, support biodiversity and maintain natural water systems.
Through nurturing the land, valuing people and upholding traditional craftsmanship, LaKyrsiew's sustainability approach offers a powerful vision for the future of tea cultivation in India.
Tea Production at LaKyrsiew
Tea at LaKyrsiew is made with an uncompromising focus on quality over quantity - a value reflected in just how scarce and limited their tea is. A given batch may produce 7-10kg of tea at most.
With careful plucking by hand, often comprising of just a bud and first leaf, they aim to ensure optimal flavour and consistency with each batch.
The equipment in their bespoke factory is chosen for its precision rather than scale thus allowing for greater care in gentle withering, rolling, oxidation and drying processes - each stage tailored to the character of the leaf and the desired style of tea to be produced.
Among the styles of tea they produce primarily black, green and white teas, as well as orthodox oolong tea with the AV2 cultivar. The variety illustrates LaKyrsiew's experimental and nuanced approach in a manner not typical to the majority of Indian tea producers.
LaKyrsiew's Impact
LaKyrsiew's influence extends beyond tea quality to meaningful social and environmental impact in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. The garden has played a key role in reviving the region's tea heritage with a strong emphasis on ecological stewardship and fair labour in an industry that often underpays its workers.
All tea garden workers are local Khasi villagers who are employed with fair wages and stable working conditions. Their model on micro-batch production ensures high-quality tea while fostering skill development and dignity in the work of the artisans.
The teas have received international recognition, including two Gold awards at the 2024 Golden Leaf awards in Australia - one for their single-origin black tea and another for their oolong. Industry professionals, including senior tasters from leading Indian tea auction houses, have remarked and commended the garden for producing teas of rare clarity and distinction, even claiming their produce as one of the finest in the land. A compliment from someone with over 40 years of tasting experience speaking volumes to the tea quality and reputation.
As one of the earliest "boutique" tea producers in the state, LaKyrsiew has contributed to raising the profile of Meghalaya as an emerging region for the highest quality orthodox teas, demonstrating that a small, independently run estate can achieve both social responsibility and global excellence.
LaKyrsiew's Future & Where We Come In
Cha Dodo first encountered the incredible tea from LaKyrsiew not from any vendor nor tea course, but from the lovely Heather, Boris' aunt, who lives not far from us in Northern Ireland. She told us of her family's history while sharing tea from the garden. It has been an important mission for us to bring her family's tea to Northern Ireland so that more can appreciate such exquisite and rare tea. With this in mind we have named the tea from LaKyrsiew after her.
Looking ahead, LaKyrsiew remains committed to maintaining low-intervention, chemical free farming on its small estate in Meghalaya. We remain close with Boris and aligned with his goals of producing remarkable tea, where conversations are shared about the qualities of the garden's tea and how environmental factors affect the resultant tastes.
Cha Dodo is proud to support LaKyrsiew at long last by sharing their unique teas with a new audience. Every purchase helps sustain their thoughtful approach to tea cultivation and brings deserved recognition to one of India's most distinctive small tea gardens.