Tea Pluckers of Assam

Before sunrise, women move through the tea gardens of Assam, their hands trained to select only the youngest growth - two leaves and a bud. This skill, passed from mother to daughter, shapes the quality of tea consumed around the world. Baskets suspended from their heads slowly fill as they move through dense, prickly green bushes. Once harvested, the leaves are weighed, collected, and rushed to the factory by men. Despite the physical demands of the work and low wages, the women I met were warm, curious, and resilient. Shared laughter, quiet pride, and deep knowledge of the land reflect a strength that sustains the community.