Indi Khanna, a distinguished figure in the tea industry, has dedicated nearly fifty years to refining the art of tea production. As the managing director of Tea 'N' Teas and co-founder of The Tea Studio, Khanna, alongside his daughter Muskan, is at the forefront of India's specialty tea movement. Their venture is celebrated for its commitment to traditional craftsmanship blended with modern innovation, particularly in creating artisanal, small-batch teas. The Tea Studio has garnered both commercial success and prestigious awards, underscoring its pivotal role in elevating India's standing in the global specialty tea market. Their unique approach emphasizes quality over quantity, sustainable practices, and a deep respect for tea's cultural heritage.
Indi Khanna's journey in the tea industry commenced at its very roots, where he gained invaluable experience in planting, pruning, and nurturing tea bushes. This foundational period instilled in him a profound appreciation for the craft, evolving his understanding of tea beyond a mere agricultural product into a vibrant, living culture. He served as assistant estate superintendent at Malayalam Plantations in Kerala from 1975 and later as an estate manager in Assam for eleven years. In 1990, he established Tea 'n' Teas, providing gourmet organic and conventional teas to retailers for over 45 years. His consulting expertise is highly sought after, reflecting his extensive knowledge and innovative perspective.
The Tea Studio, now in its seventh year, operates on a distinctive B2B model, emphasizing innovation in tea manufacturing exclusively with Camellia sinensis. Khanna believes true value addition stems from crafting unique, high-quality teas with exceptional character, processing, and narrative. This philosophy prioritizes distinctiveness over decorative packaging, allowing their products to command a premium. The studio's success is also attributed to its team of ten skilled women from neighboring villages, who have developed remarkable artisanal capabilities in tea production. The studio's investors and partners are established quality tea purveyors, ensuring that their specialty teas reach discerning consumers who genuinely appreciate their value.
Sustainability is a core principle at The Tea Studio, defined by uncompromising quality and zero tea waste. The facility utilizes clean LPG for heat, eliminating emissions and ground contamination, and relies on its own solar plant for electricity. This commitment ensures minimal environmental impact while producing premium teas. The studio operates on an order-only basis, guaranteeing that buyers receive tea as fresh as possible, directly from the source.
Khanna's extensive travels through tea-growing and tea-drinking regions worldwide have profoundly shaped his methodology at The Tea Studio. These experiences reinforced his belief that tea encompasses rich stories as much as it does flavors. The studio draws inspiration from global techniques while honoring the unique terroir of the Nilgiris, blending tradition with experimentation. This approach fosters innovation, rooted in a deep respect for heritage.
A significant innovation from The Tea Studio is their compressed tea cakes, a product previously unheard of in India, a country known for large-scale industrial tea production. This daring venture, inspired by Chinese Pu'er, pushes boundaries beyond traditional methods. While The Tea Studio operates on a B2B model and does not control buyer packaging, they ensure their cakes are properly wrapped before leaving the facility. They collaborated with a school for children with special needs, which the Studio supports, to design the labels, adding a heartfelt, human element to their unique product. This initiative beautifully combines social responsibility with pioneering tea production.
The collaborative effort behind the compressed tea cakes is further highlighted by Jasmin Desharnais, a partner at Camellia Sinensis. Desharnais visited The Tea Studio with the specific goal of assisting in the creation of their first Pu'er-style tea cake, following the acquisition of modern compression machines from China in 2024. This endeavor successfully merged traditional Chinese expertise with The Tea Studio's artisanal craftsmanship, showcasing a remarkable blend of global knowledge and local ingenuity. The introduction of these compressed tea cakes marks a significant milestone in Indian tea production, emphasizing the Studio's dedication to innovation and quality, and bringing a fresh perspective to a centuries-old industry.
