What's In Your Cuppa Tea

The world, it is said, is divided into two – the tea drinkers and the coffee drinkers. Which side are you on?

- Rukma Saluja

We're all used to our milky concoctions that go for kadak chai or cutting chai or masala tea. It's the go-to drink to start the day, in the evening, when tired, or when just plain bored. So when I met Bhuman Dani and Shariq Ashraf at an event at the Taj Palace in Delhi recently, I was fascinated when they said they were into luxury tea. But, was it a gimmick? Put up a stall at an expensive venue and prefix the product with the word 'luxury'. “We cater to the value-conscious Indian," Bhuman said. This begged the question: who is the value-conscious Indian? "One who wants the best in life, who does not hesitate to pay more for that extra something," Shariq chipped in. Their brand, TGL (The Good Life Co), as the name suggests, offers a product that is “different and superior” to what is generally available in the Indian market. As tastes change and evolve, there's a flavour and brand to suit a health fad, a mood or a whim, with teas sourced from around the world. TWG, a Singapore-based company, addresses the absolute top end of the global market. Other brands in a niche space include TGL, Vahdam and ChaiVeda, among others. Each one claims a USP, from quick packaging, organically grown tea, or the best from where it is grown.

According to statista.com, in January this year, China exported tea worth $1.79 billion (it produced 2.61 metric tons of it in 2018). India is the second-largest producer and the highest consumer of the beverage drinking about 30 per cent of the world's output. It's taken several thousands of years to reach this point.

THE ORIGINS