Since its introduction to the rolling hills of Assam in the 1830s, tea has taken centre stage in Indian culture. The beverage has flourished in the nation, and there are currently more than 1,585 tea gardens and a workforce of more than 1.1 million people. Today, India is the second largest tea exporter of the world accounting for 10 percent of the global export. That being said, chronic issues such as poor quality, dearth of infrastructure, and growing production costs, has historically stymied the expansion of the Indian tea sector. Low quality in particular has taken a critical spot. A report by the Tea board of India states, production of poor quality tea is creating an imbalance in the supply demand equation.
This is where Speaking Tea, a quality driven firm is making a difference. The firm offers an extensive range of teas for its customers to choose from. They have more than 280 varieties of tea and more than 300 varieties of coffee to cater to every palate and preference. With its flair for blending be it natural blending or hot/cold brews blending Speaking Tea offers a wide array of flavours, tastes, and aroma, procured from different regions during different seasons.
“Speaking Tea has selected blends that are most suited to Indian consumers' taste preferences. After multiple iterations of tasting and shortlisting, our teas are obtained from the most prestigious tea farms. Our professional blenders and sommeliers create each blend with the utmost attention”, states Souvik Nandy, Director at Speaking Tea.
Quality Policy
Speaking Tea strives to provide complete quality assurance to its customers. Starting from leaf picking to processing and packaging, the products of the firm pass through stringent checkpoints thereby helping it to be on par with the industry standards.
Speaking Tea’s diligent quality policy has been the backbone of the firm, helping it to thrive in the tea ecosystem of India. Moreover, the firm has infused technology in its overall operation to institute traceability and optimise the quality factor. “Using modern technologies and innovative thinking, Speaking Tea is dedicated to solving the problems faced by the industry”, says Nandy.
Moreover, to adhere with the stringent quality checks, the firm has put in place expert tea sommeliers, who taste every single batch of tea, matching the various parameters. “Our Tea sommeliers – Fatima and Aman Khandelwal, with years of experience backed knowledge are the strong pillars on which the foundation of the brand is laid”, describes Nandy.
Today, Speaking Tea is also coming up with a bidding platform where expert tea sommeliers can taste, rate, and issue a certificate to the different tea blends. Following their certification, companies can bid for the tea and acquire it for its use. Speaking Tea here is responsible for maintaining the quality standard and giving a market to the finest of the brews.
Lastly, in the packaging segment, the firm ensures that produce is hygienically packaged within 72 hours of plucking to seal in the flavor and freshness. The products are further packed with minimum human touch, ensuring complete hygiene.
Field Connection
Since its inception, Speaking tea has strived to bridge the gap between the consumer and the farmer. Today, It closely works with the farmers, procuring the finest quality of tea for its clients. With its in-depth knowledge of the industry, Speaking Tea considers factors like the right time to harvest tea, the correct way to process the tea leaves, and blend the tea to offer a product that is unmatchable in its taste, color and flavor.
Moreover, with its staunch belief in giving equal opportunity, Speaking Tea leverages support to small farmers as well so that the best of their produce can reach the market. ‘“What differentiates Speaking Tea from others is its dedication to get the farmers on the forefront. Reaching out to the small farmers who are adept in blending, Speaking Tea gets the finest of flavors for its clientele. With its knack for procuring the choice of harvest and blending it together to invent unique tastes, Speaking Tea strives to deliver the best”, says Nandy.
Team of Experts
Balaji the heads of Operations and Souvik Nandy, Director at Speaking Tea are the two driving forces behind the growth of the firm. Balaji and Nandy have been continuous in innovating new avenues in its way. Whereas, Faisal Yusaf, Head of expansion; is taking care of expanding speaking teas operation beyond India.
Presently, Balaji heads the Operations where his extensive knowledge as ‘the Tech guy’ comes handy in using the most advanced technology in the industry. Using the latest technology, he can help the customers to find their preferred sip and is now gradually working toward expansion in areas of coffee and chocolates. Souvik Nandy, helms the Asian School of Tea which is the only Indian school to impart knowledge on tea. He is working toward creating awareness around tea and building up an informed tea community globally.
The team members of Speaking Tea also possess in-depth domain knowledge and experience. For example – Tea sommeliers – Fatima and Aman Khandelwal carry years of deep understanding of the flavour criteria, thereby helping the firm to attain a uniquely different and aromatic blend.
The Way Forward
Incorporated in 2020, Speaking Tea started off as a B2C company. The firm embarked on the journey to explore the realm of tea under the guidance of Swaminath Jaichandan. Having understood the problems plaguing the tea farmers based on its month-long stay in the tea gardens of Assam, Speaking Tea has shifted its focus toward the welfare of the farmers.
With the entire profits going to the farmers, Speaking Tea now ensures that the farmers get their due in the best possible way. So, it has been a long journey for the brand that set off to cater to its clients but has also taken it upon itself to bring the farmers into the picture.
Using modern technologies and innovative thinking, Speaking Tea is dedicated to solving the problems faced by the industry
Using modern technology to better the tea industry is what Speaking Tea aims at. Speaking Tea is building up apps and platforms like Tea Hammer to reduce the distance between the buyer and the seller. With this end in view to act as a bridge, Speaking Tea strives to revive and rejuvenate the tea industry. In the near future, Speaking Tea also plans to inaugurate its operations in Middle East and Amea regions.
Delivering Wide Variety of Products
Customer satisfaction has been a topmost priority of Speaking Tea and to attain the same it has left no stone unturned. Starting with an infusion of technology, to directly connecting with the farmers, Speaking Tea has done it all. Moreover, the team has also two highly experienced tea sommeliers, who plays an unique role in assuring the quality of the products. All the products of the firm are packed in a hygienic form, with minimum human touch. In addition to this, the firm also ensures that its teas are packed and distributed within 72 hours of processing. Today, Speaking Tea operates in a B2B and B2C business model. Today, the firm offers a wide variety of blended teas that includes but not limited to, Masala chai, BanarasiPaan Chai, Elaichi Chai, Gulab Chai, and more. Along with tea, Speaking Tea also manufactures a wide variety of coffee and chocolates.
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