Wayanad Tea Museum: A Mother-Daughter Tea Adventure in Kerala

When my daughter and I set foot in Wayanad, the hills embraced us with their emerald charm. Little did I know this would turn into one of the most memorable days of my life—a day steeped in tea, laughter, history, and an unexpected dash of adrenaline. It was my daughter’s idea to visit the Wayanad Tea Museum, and I happily agreed. But what I didn’t expect was her next suggestion: ziplining across the tea estates! I’ve never been adventurous, but her enthusiasm was contagious. After a bit of coaxing (okay, a lot!), I found myself harnessed and ready, soaring above the velvety green plantations at 59 years old!
It turned out to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

Exploring the Wayanad Tea Museum: Where History Brews

The Wayanad Tea Museum is a charming blend of history, culture, and the natural beauty of Kerala’s tea estates. It is the first tea museum in Wayanad, introduced by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. and housed in a vintage factory built in 1911.

Inside the museum, we discovered century-old tea processing machines, black-and-white photographs of the colonial era, and fascinating exhibits on tea cultivation. The museum beautifully showcases the journey of tea from leaf to cup.

One section even connects the story of tea to the Boston Tea Party—a surprising global twist in a local museum!

A Tea Tasting Delight at Wayanad Tea Museum

No visit to the Wayanad Tea Museum is complete without sipping the locally grown teas. We savoured freshly brewed teas and sampled their special iced lemon tea—a refreshing surprise on a warm day. I learned that tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water!

The museum also displayed the different types of chai and explained the difference between Orthodox, CTC, and Green teas. As a lifelong tea lover, it was a joy to experience the variety firsthand.

Zip-lining Over Wayanad Tea Estates: My Big Leap at 59!

The highlight of our visit to the Wayanad Tea Museum wasn’t just tea—it was the thrill of zip-lining! My daughter instigated this big leap of faith, pushing me to try something outside my comfort zone. Though I am not an adventurous person, I gave in to her persuasion.

Flying over the tea gardens, wind on my face, the world below awash in green—I had the time of my life. It was pure freedom, pure joy, and a memory forever steeped in love and laughter.

Tea History: From Leaf to Legacy

The Wayanad Tea Museum doesn’t just showcase tea; it tells the story of how tea shaped Kerala. The British introduced tea plantations here, and the museum preserves this legacy through artefacts, rare teas, and stories of the local communities who built this thriving tea culture.

🍃 A Peek into the Wayanad Tea Museum

Housed in a historic wooden structure built in 1911 by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd., the museum whisks you back in time:

• Ground Floor: Illustrated tea history, antique kettles, the Boston Tea Party, and the journey from leaf to cup.
• First Floor: Colonial-era tea processing machines, old clocks, vintage computers—a mechanical storyteller’s delight.
• Second Floor: A delightful café where I savoured a glass of refreshing iced lemon tea and my daughter tried the lavender tea.

🍵 Tea for Every Mood

The museum’s tea chart instantly lifted our spirits:

• Need sleep? Try Lavender
• Feeling anxious? Sip Tart Cherry
• Feeling stressed? Go for Chamomile
• Need energy? Black Tea is your hero

We sampled masala chai, peppermint, lemongrass, ginger, green, and more—each cup infused with stories.

🌱 Tea Trivia That Touched My Heart

• All teas—black, green, white—come from the Camellia sinensis plant.
• Orthodox vs. CTC vs. Green Tea: Orthodox uses whole leaves, CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) uses granules, and Green is minimally processed.
• Fun fact: Tea was once used as a form of currency in Siberia, and even today, the Irish lead the world in tea consumption.
• Did you know that Da-Hong Pao tea costs a mind-boggling $1.2 million per kilo? Talk about luxury in a teacup!

☕ Moments Steeped in Love

We laughed, clicked selfies, argued over caffeine trivia, and basked in the soft, misty sunshine. The museum wasn’t just a building filled with artefacts; it became a backdrop to one of my most precious mother-daughter memories.

Getting There: Your Tea Trail to Wayanad

• By Air: The nearest airport is Calicut International, approximately 95 km.
• By Train: Kozhikode railway station is around 85 km away.
• By Road: Well-connected by scenic routes from Kozhikode, Bangalore, and Kochi.

📍 Visitor Essentials

Wayanad Tea Museum Timings & Entry Fees

• Timings:
  Tuesday to Sunday: 9 AM – 6 PM (Closed on Mondays)
• Entry Fees:
  Museum: ₹50 | Factory Tour: ₹100 | Tea Tasting: ₹50
  Ziplining: ₹300 | Cycling: ₹100 | Hiking: ₹1000

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Travel Tips for Wayanad Tea Museum Visitors

✔️ Best time to visit: October to March
✔️ Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
✔️ Photography is allowed
✔️ Don’t miss the tea tasting sessions
✔️ Try zip-lining for an unforgettable experience

Why This Museum Stands Out

• A slice of Wayanad’s history preserved in wood and iron.
• A rich archive of India’s tea culture.
• A rare blend of learning, sipping, and soaring across the skies.
• The Wayanad Tea Museum is not just about tea—it’s about stories, learning, and taking that first adventurous step. This journey taught me that no matter your age, there’s always room for a new cup of joy.
• Thank you, my daughter, for this push into a moment I never knew I needed. I walked in for tea and walked out with memories for life.

Final Thoughts: Brew Memories, Not Just Tea

As we headed home, I asked my daughter, “Which tea was your favourite today?”
She smiled and said, “The lavender—the one that brings calm”. She had the chocolate tea as well and carried a stash home.

And I realised—our day was the perfect brew: a little adventure, a lot of love, and plenty of laughter.

So, if you find yourself in Wayanad, let yourself sip, stroll, and maybe even zip.

Can’t make it to Wayanad? Take a sip of the experience through this virtual photo tour—your window into the soul of the Tea Museum!

While we are in Kerala, do read about Kerala’s Heritage Pokkali Rice and try my favourite Flower Appam with Kerala Egg Curry Recipe

#BlogchatterFoodFest

Tags: #WayanadTeaMuseum, #TeaTastingWayanad, #TeaHistoryKerala, #KeralaTourism, #MotherDaughterTravel, #TeaMuseumsIndia, #ZipliningWayanad, #WayanadAttractions, #TeaCultureIndia

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mister Tikku.