Exploring the Origins of Nepali Tea: A Look into the Regions Where Nepali Tea Traders Source Their Finest Teas

Sandakphu Tea Plantation and production unit is located at the foothills of Sandakphu Peak at a place known as Jasbirey Village. There is a famous high mountain Pond called Maipokhari near Jasbirey Village World wide, this place is famous for Maipokhari ramsar Site: A World Heritage site for Mountain Wetlands. Nationally this place is famous for Maipokhari Holy Shrine. This biodiversity is known for its bio diversity and natural reserve of herbs and highest quality tea.

Tea Plantation at Sandakphu was initiated somewhere in the year 1990 with the plants derived from high quality tea varieties planted locally by ancient farmers migrating from other villages of Ilam district. The plantation is young and fresh nearing maturity and therefore, the quality of tea is considered very high as compared to many other tea areas of Nepal (Note: Young plants have highest level of aroma and character builds up as the plants age).

Unlike many tea plantations where large plantations are carried out by large corporate business houses, where workers work as wage earners (labors). The ownership of land and property in such case reside at corporate level, tea Plantation at Sandakphu has been carried out by the local farmers in their own land and therefore, Sandakphu Tea is an entirely farmer based production with the ownership remaining at farmers level. Self employed farmers and producers at Sandakphu believe that quality can be achieved only by those who have the sense of ownership of the garden because tea quality is defined from the green leaf that is fed to the factory for processing. Since ownership of the garden is at farmers level, the farmers can therefore grow and harvest only the finest leaf for processing as against those who work as a labor for the corporate plantations.

At present there are 150 small farmer household with an average Tea land size holding of 0.25 hectare who depends on Sandakphu for their source of income. Our Growers are Organic by Default and grows tea and all other crop using traditional method of natural farming.

At Sandakphu Tea Processers (P) Ltd, the shareholders of the company are local to the District, true to the soil (son of the soil) and is headed by one of the few women tea entrepreneurs in the country. Flanked by Tea experts from within and outside the country, Sandakphu produces and crafts only the rarest of teas found in the country. Character and flavor profile of Sandakphu is unique to its bio-diversity and unique location found only in such high elevations.

Sandakphu tea garden is located at 6500 feet while the plantations are as high as 8000 feet and plus. Tea crafted at such elevations falling within 26 degree North Latitude provides flavors and character which can be compared to none in the world. (Note: The hills of Jasbirey stands parallel to the “Mai Pokhari Ramsar Site” a world heritage site in Nepal for wetlands. This tranquil environment makes the bio diversity of this place very unique, the pH of the water tested in Jasbirey is 7.2 and the ecology harbors many endangered species of wild flora and fauna)

Nepali Tea Traders is thrilled to partner with Sandakphu Tea Processers (P) Ltd, whose unwavering dedication to quality and ethical practices is truly commendable. We share a deep respect for the hard work and commitment of local farmers, and take immense pride in the exquisite teas that are carefully crafted and offered to tea enthusiasts. It is an honor to be associated with such a remarkable company.