Tea artist Susmita Das Gupta has been conducting sensorial tea appreciation and tea pairing workshops for almost a decade across India. In 2021, she introduced tea appreciation classes with a top hotel management institute in India to infuse interest in tea and create tea sommeliers to meet the growing global needs.
A keen tea traveller, she organizes Tea Trails (tea tourism) programs with some of the iconic tea gardens in India. She is also the organizer of the Tea Festival India (www.teafestivalindia.com) held at JW Marriott, Bangalore, bringing Indian premium and specialty teas under one roof.
Appointed as the Official Tea Artist and Tea Blogger for Paris-based AVPA’s Teas of the World Contest in July 2018, in 2020, she became the first Indian speaker at the Nomad Tea Festival Europe, and in 2022 for the Nomad Tea Festival, Australia.
She is also the founder of Tea with Susmita (www.teawithsusmita.com) – a platform to introduce and promote specialty Indian tea to discerning global tea drinkers and is certified in Tea Sensory Appreciation and Tea Blending, from La-quintessence, Paris. Part part of the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Tea Committee to promote Indian tea to a global audience, she tells us all about her current passion – the Indian School of Tea, her love for tea and more…
What was the trigger behind starting the Indian School of Tea?
The Indian School of Tea (IST) is the first of its kind educational and skill enhancement institution dedicated to comprehensive training and certification of individuals and teams in the realm of Indian tea. IST offers specialized programs on various aspects of tea, its art, culture and business. It is a premier hub for advancing expertise and proficiency in Indian tea cultivation, culture, production, appreciation, etiquette and marketing.
The necessity for IST arises from India’s prominent position as the leading global supplier of tea, coupled with its rich heritage as one of the most well-known tea-producing nations. Despite this esteemed standing for almost two centuries, Indian tea often encounters misconceptions and underestimations, particularly in comparison to counterparts from countries like China or even Sri Lanka. This discrepancy stems from limited awareness of the diverse range of Indian orthodox, specialty, and other teas, with many associating Indian tea solely with the ubiquitous “chai” beverage.
Remarkably, India lacks formalized tea training institutes offering programs that encompass the breadth and depth of the industry and its produce, and in the last 200 years, we have not produced even one Tea Master of international repute!
Recognizing the evolving preferences of Indian and global tea consumers, shifting from traditional ‘kadak chai’ or ‘chai latte’ to specialty and gourmet teas, IST endeavours to bridge this knowledge gap by providing essential training to both tea professionals and consumers in India and globally. By dispelling misconceptions and fostering a deeper understanding of Indian tea, the school aims to elevate its global recognition and value and, in the process, offer a skillset to the youth of this country towards a brand new, highly paid, global career.
How did you go about establishing the school?
I have been working in the tea industry for almost 10 years now. During this time while conducting my various workshops, consulting services with tea entrepreneurs, hotels and training/ education sessions at IIHM, I realised that there is a huge gap in the knowledge of tea as a specialty product in India and the career opportunities that exist globally.
This also meant that there is a huge opportunity to train, educate and empower Indians in tea and unlock a new career opportunity in the process.
I also realised that Indian tea is loved by global drinkers and many international tea professionals have no direct way of learning Indian tea in India in an organized way.
That’s how the seed of IST was formed.
The next phase was to identify the kind of programs that should be part of IST’s curriculum.
What are the courses you have curated? How are they certified/ recognised by the education board/ hospitality sector?
The IST certification program offers three distinct programs catering to different skill levels and interests:
- Short/ Weekend Program: Ideal for enthusiasts and beginners, these programs provide a foundational understanding of tea production, history, and culture over a condensed time-frame. IST is launched with three weekend programs:
I. Introduction to Tea Appreciation
II. Tea for Entrepreneurship
III. Tea for Hospitality - Mid-Level Program (4-5 days): Designed for individuals seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills, this program covers a wider range of topics including tea tasting, blending, and entrepreneurship essentials.
- Long Program (10-12 days with garden visit): Geared towards aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs, this intensive program offers an immersive experience with visits to tea gardens, hands-on training in processing and tasting, and advanced workshops on tea business management.
One of the core offerings of the TWS tea certification program is to train the participants in the Indian way of tasting and appreciation besides prevalent global standards.
The certificates will be issued by IIHM and IST jointly.
Most of the programs are offered both physically as well as via online classes, delivered simultaneously to all the participants, so that anyone from across the world can join the program at the same time. The Long Program, however, will be a completely physical program and we shall support outstation participants with accommodation etc as may be required.
The physical classes are offered at the IIHM campus in Bangalore currently, and shall be available from other select locations in the future.
IST has a board of advisors consisting of eminent tea professionals from India and abroad who are also part of its faculty and guest lecturers.
What kind of market do you see for IST and who is your target audience?
IST’s target audience encompasses a diverse range of individuals in India and globally, including:
• Young adults exploring career opportunities in the tea and hospitality industry.
• Experienced F&B professionals seeking to expand their expertise.
• Aspiring tea entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow their ventures.
• Homemakers interested in mastering the art of tea preparation and presentation and be entrepreneurs.
• Tea enthusiasts worldwide, particularly those with a fondness for Indian tea varieties.
Tell us about the investment in IST, and the current turnover?
The school was launched on 23 April, 2024. We are at the boot-strapping phase, and have just launched our first three weekend programs, and finished conducting the first program on 12 May 2024. I would be seeking investment post six months of functioning, if at all required.
What are your goals for your institution?
IST’s mission is:
• To provide world-class education, practical experience, and industry exposure to empower individuals to excel in their tea-related endeavours.
• To cultivate a new generation of tea connoisseurs and professionals equipped with the expertise to thrive in the ever-evolving world of tea and hospitality.
• Be a partner for the hospitality industry in creating tea-based experiences.
