Our Story

Our Vision

STG, standing for "Small Tea Growers," encapsulates a vision aimed at empowering these individuals and providing them with a platform to exhibit their artisanal tea crafts. The primary objective is to elevate and promote the work of small tea growers, emphasising their unique organic approach to tea cultivation. This distinctiveness stems from their commitment to producing tea that is free from pesticides, rich in flavour, and meticulously hand-rolled by skilled artisans.

Our vision for STG extends beyond mere promotion; it encompasses a holistic approach to support these growers in achieving self-sufficiency. This support involves various initiatives such as organising tea garden tours, offering eco-stay experiences, and implementing other strategies aimed at enhancing their visibility and economic prospects.

Ultimately, our core aim is to enable these small tea growers to recognise and unlock their full potential while consistently delivering the highest quality tea products which remained inaccessible for decades and centuries for common buyers and end consumers due to various shortcomings. Through this endeavor, STG not only celebrates the craftsmanship and dedication of these growers but also contributes to the preservation and promotion of organic, artisanal tea production for the best teas to reach its end consumers.

The Tale of Roasted Tea

The Singphos a tribal community residing in the parts of northeast India, Myanmar, and China are believed to be among India's first tea drinkers. To this day, they continue to process tea by first heating the leaves in a metal pan until they brown, and then sun-drying them for a few days. To make the more flavourful, smoked the sun-dried leaves are tightly packed in bamboo tubes and smoked over a fire. After a week of storing these bamboos, the processed tea hardens to take the shape of the tube. It can then be preserved for up to 10 years, with small portions sliced off with a knife to brew a fresh cup of tea.

When processed and brewed correctly, a cup of Singpho tea, which is had without milk or sugar, is a lovely golden-orange colour. The leaves can be reused to brew three or four cups, the flavour getting better with each infusion. According to Singphos, the tea's organic production and traditional processing retains its medicinal value. The Singphos say a cup of after every meal aids digestion, and believe it has kept the community relatively free from cancer and diabetes.

1 3

Boutique Knowledge of Tea-Making

Our expert craftsmen specialise in hand-making teas, sourced from the plantations across the North Eastern India

1 2

Our Team

Our Team comprises highly experienced industry experts to look after Quality Assurance, Customer Experience, Supply Chain and new Innovations consistently.

small tea farmers

The Collective

The Small Tea Growers Collective is placed at the heart of the initiative. Therefore the team works profoundly with the idea of building this Collective a strong industry ready skilled workforce to produce some of the finest teas of the world.

founder

Neil

Neil's initiative in founding Small Tea Growers (STG) reflects his commitment to giving small tea growers the recognition they deserve. By establishing STG as a boutique brand of tea sourced from these small estates in the Northeast, Neil not only promotes their products but also highlights their unique qualities.

STG's emphasis on organic cultivation, flavor-packed leaves, pesticide-free processing, and hand-rolled craftsmanship sets it apart in the market. Neil's vision goes beyond just offering a beverage; he sees STG's tea as a representation of a specific culture and lifestyle, inviting consumers to experience more than just a drink.

To further elevate the experience, Neil creatively merges his passion for tea with his fondness for golf, introducing the concept of "tea and tee." This innovative pairing underscores the sophistication and elegance associated with both tea and golf, emphasizing their shared roots in aristocratic tradition while advocating for their enjoyment by a broader audience. This fusion of two distinct but complementary elements adds a touch of class to the tea-drinking experience, inviting enthusiasts to savor not only the flavors but also the cultural connections and lifestyle associations that come with it.

co-founder

Anindya

Anindya's journey from a senior position in a top multinational corporation to becoming a successful entrepreneur with STG Tea is a testament to his adventurous spirit, love for nature, and his desire to take on unique and challenging endeavors. After spending two decades navigating the corporate world across different continents, Anindya felt a calling to pursue something more meaningful and personally fulfilling.

Driven by his passion for nature and a genuine desire to offer something exceptional to tea lovers worldwide, Anindya embarked on the entrepreneurial path with STG Tea. His vision is not only to create a successful business but also to make high-quality tea accessible to everyone who appreciates its beauty and flavor. With a heartful intention to serve and a determination to overcome challenges, Anindya is dedicated to realizing his dream of spreading the joy of tea to enthusiasts around the globe.

Tea master

Sonam

Sonam Lama's journey from Darjeeling to becoming a Tea Master, reflects his deep dedication to understanding and embracing the essence of tea-making. Raised amidst the tea gardens of Darjeeling, Lama's academic pursuit of tea research led him in search of the true spirit of tea.

In Darjeeling, Sonam found more than just a new location; he discovered a profound connection to nature and a sense of liberation that resonated with his spiritual quest. Darjeeling offered him the perfect setting for Sonam to explore the delicate art of tea-making.

Embracing a philosophy of harmony with nature, Sonam approaches tea-making as a collaborative process with the natural elements. Instead of imposing rigid techniques, he allows nature to dictate the preparation of the tea, acting merely as a gentle guide in the process. This hands-off approach reflects Sonam's reverence for the inherent beauty and wisdom of the natural world.

As he embarks on this new chapter as a tea-maker in Darjeeling, Sonam brings with him not only his expertise but also a profound respect for the land, the plants, and the traditions that shape the tea-making process. Through his journey, Sonam embodies the timeless relationship between humans and nature, where humility, observation, and gentle guidance lead to the creation of teas that capture the very essence of their surroundings.