The world of tea has always been rich with tradition, culture, and craftsmanship. For many, it’s simply a daily ritual – but for Susmita Das Gupta, tea became much more than just a drink. It became a purpose, a movement, and a lifelong journey.
Her adventure with tea began in an unexpected place: the digital world. As a brand and social media consultant for a London-based global tea brand, Susmita was initially engrossed in market research and digital strategy, helping the brand make inroads into the Indian market. However, as she immersed herself deeper in the world of tea, she soon realized that while tea was being celebrated globally as an artisanal experience, India – the second-largest tea producer in the world – had yet to fully appreciate its own tea culture. This insight sparked a passion in Susmita that would eventually reshape the way India sees tea.
In 2013, Susmita took her first big step toward changing the narrative by founding It’s Our Cuppa Tea, India’s first-ever Tea Club in Bangalore. This wasn’t just another gathering of tea lovers. It became a platform where people began to view tea beyond the usual commercial chai. The Tea Club became a space where casual drinkers evolved into connoisseurs, engaging in deep discussions about the origin, flavor profiles, and craftsmanship of tea – a far cry from the usual morning brew.
Driven by a desire to understand tea at a deeper level, Susmita pursued formal tea education, earning certifications from institutions in India and abroad. She spent time in the heart of India’s tea-growing regions, learning from the experts, tasting endless cups of tea, and immersing herself in the craft. Her expertise and growing influence led her to be invited as the Tea Artist & Blogger for the inaugural AVPA Tea Contest in Paris, a prestigious platform that further solidified her place in the global tea community.
While spreading awareness about specialty Indian tea was central to her mission, Susmita also believed that tea needed to be more accessible and celebrated. In 2016, her vision took shape when she organized Tea Festival India – the country’s first-ever B2C Tea Festival, in collaboration with JW Marriott, Bangalore. This grand event brought together tea brands, experts, and consumers, offering an immersive experience that proved tea deserved to be savored and understood, much like wine.
By 2019, Susmita had created a new platform: Tea With Susmita (TWS). Dedicated to tea education, promotion, and storytelling, TWS became a hub for tea lovers and experts alike. In the same year, she was commissioned by the Tea Board of India to create the country’s first official Tea Tourism Film, showcasing the stunning landscapes of Indian tea gardens and the stories of the people who cultivated this golden drink. The film wasn’t just about tourism – it was about connecting tea’s heritage to the people who drink it.
In 2023, Susmita’s role in the tea industry expanded even further when she was invited to join the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Tea Promotion Group. There, she contributed to the branding, promotion, and positioning of Indian tea in both domestic and international markets. A year later, she presented the Indian Tea Promotion Plan to the Ministry of Commerce, offering strategies to bolster India’s tea industry on a global scale.
Alongside these initiatives, Susmita worked tirelessly to address a critical gap in India’s tea industry – the lack of structured tea education. Realizing that without skilled professionals, India’s rich tea heritage could never truly represent itself on the global stage, she launched the Indian School of Tea in April 2024. This institution aims to train the next generation of tea professionals, bridging the gap between demand and expertise. To further this mission, Susmita signed an MOU with IIHM Bangalore to offer collaborative tea certification programs, ensuring that new tea ambassadors are well-equipped to carry the country’s tea culture forward.
In 2024, Susmita was invited to judge Nepal’s first Tea Championship, an experience that allowed her to immerse herself in Nepal’s tea culture and witness firsthand the exciting work of young tea entrepreneurs in the region.
In addition to her growing influence in the tea world, Susmita has been recognized for her contributions. A few years ago, she was featured in Gulf News, where she was interviewed alongside TWG Tea, a brand she had long admired. She was also honored with the 100 Indian Influencer Award, recognizing her as one of the leading voices in the Indian tea industry.
An MBA in Marketing & Finance from the Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, combined with over 30 years of experience in branding and marketing, has given Susmita a rare combination of business insight and tea expertise. She has led strategic initiatives across multiple industries and has been running her own Brand & Social Media Marketing Consultancy since 2008. This background allows her to tackle the challenges in the tea industry, identifying its potential and unlocking new opportunities for growth, particularly in the Indian specialty tea market.
For Susmita, tea is not just a beverage – it’s a legacy, a culture, and a craft. From her early memories of drinking Darjeeling tea to her work as a consultant, and now as a Tea Artist and educator, Susmita’s journey has been focused on reshaping how tea is viewed by the world. Through the Indian School of Tea, she hopes to create a new generation of tea professionals who will carry the legacy of Indian tea forward, making it an integral part of global tea culture.
The journey is long, but as every tea enthusiast knows, the best flavors take time to steep. For Susmita, this adventure is just beginning, and it promises to be as rich and fulfilling as the teas she so passionately promotes.
