Honouring Nepali Tea Heritage
For Nepal Tea Collective, tea transcends the seasons—it’s a timeless drink that warms in winter and refreshes in summer. The story of Nepal Tea Collective is rich and deeply rooted in a family legacy of resilience, innovation, and social impact. Nepal Tea
Can you share how your journey with tea began and what inspired you to continue the family legacy?
Nishchal: My journey with tea is a family legacy. My parents started a tea business over 40 years ago, running a factory in Phidim, Eastern Nepal. Although I never envisioned joining this sector, my experiences and the desire to drive change brought me back to it. While studying in New Hampshire, I partnered with friends on projects like bringing American students to Nepal and building classrooms for underprivileged children. This connection with home and the vision of a socially impactful business inspired me to return to my roots and reshape the tea business.
What were some of the biggest obstacles you faced, and how did you overcome them?
The 2015-2016 blockade in Nepal was a turning point. One of our shipments was stuck at the border, which delayed payments and left farmers in a difficult position. This incident highlighted the importance of self-reliance and streamlined operations. We also faced skepticism in Nepal about the concept of a tea bar, as tea was not as popular as coffee. But seeing a rising tea trend and collaborations like our partnership with Himalayan Java, we managed to bring the concept to life.
What opportunities do you see for Nepali tea on the global stage, and how are you leveraging them?
Globally, people value unique and high-quality teas, and we’ve positioned Nepali tea as a premium, sustainable option. Our direct-toconsumer (DTC) model allows us to share the stories of Nepali farmers, while our B2B model provides bulk tea to tea companies worldwide. We’re expanding tea experiences by offering tea tastings for companies like Google and Facebook, making Nepali tea a memorable experience. In a market saturated with low-grade teas, the company has not only been availing its extensive selection of premium loose-leaf teas through e-commerce platforms like Daraz, but also via its social media channels. Additionally, the company has established five different tea bars at various prime locations throughout Kathmandu like Thamel, Lalitpur, Boudha, and Durbarmarg."
Can you share some interesting stories or unexpected moments from your journey that stand out to you?
One memorable moment was when I initially started a tea bar in Jhamsikhel, anticipating it to become the next Thamel. It was innovative but challenging— many Nepalis weren’t used to tea without sugar, and the location on the second floor didn’t work out as planned. I learned a lot from that venture, and upon my return to the US, I embraced the feedback and started Nepal Tea Collective.
As Nepal Tea Collective continues to grow, are there any new projects or innovations that you're excited about?
Amigo: Our vision is to make Nepali tea a staple on the global stage, enhancing our product range with herbs and spices and introducing teabased beverages. A key aspect is our source—Nishchal's family farm, Kanchanjangha Tea Estate and Research Center (KTERC), Nepal’s first organically certified tea farm, where we source teas and herbs. Other farms, like Bhajanje Tea Estate and Jasbire Tea Processing Center, are not yet organically certified. We aim to transition these farms to fully organic over time, though it’s a gradual process that we’re still planning.
With Nepal Tea Collective’s success, how do you ensure that the benefits reach the local farmers and communities who make it all possible?
As of last year, we successfully distributed $3,985 to 81 farmers and tea workers. Our 1% revenue distribution program strengthens our partnership with our farmers, while boosting their incomes. This redistribution supplements our efforts to uplift wages, which increased by 11.2% from 2022 to 2023, marking a 48.1% rise since our inception. You can check our Impact Report for further insights into our contributions to the community.
What is your vision for the future of Nepali tea? How do you hope it will be perceived and enjoyed by people worldwide in the coming years?
I envision Nepali tea gaining a distinct identity, recognized for its quality and cultural heritage. I hope people around the world will appreciate Nepali tea not only for its flavor but for the stories and lives it supports. Tea from Nepal is a product of passion, resilience, and social impact, and I believe this can change the way tea is valued globally.
By Smart Family Team in conversation with Nischal Banskota and Amigo Khadka, founders of Nepal Tea collectives.
Nischal Banskota, Founder, Nepal Tea Collectives
