Mar 2026
This was our 8th year exhibiting at the Expo. This year, we brought not just our teas but also our newest addition: botanicals. Most of you were intrigued by the Purple Cardamom and our Organic Nepali Butterfly Pea Flower. We'll be listing them soon for wholesale partners, if you're interested in sampling, let us know.
Last month, we officially opened the doors to our new café, "The Collective Brew." This has been our dream for 10 years, and it was everything we dreamed of and more. What started as a small idea rooted in the hills of Nepal has now found a home in Jersey City, and seeing the community gather around Nepali tea felt incredibly special.
From hot cups and cold brews to heartfelt conversations, it was a reminder of why we do what we do: to bring people together, one sip at a time.
A special shoutout to Subrat, our tea bar lead, who has been working tirelessly to run the café seamlessly.
Where to Find Us Next Weekend
We're exhibiting for the first time at the World of Coffee this April. If you're attending, visit us at Booth 642.
Chicago Tea Festival (April 11-12)
You can find us at Room 3, Booths 23 and 28. See you there.
Last year, we hosted the first-ever tea festival in the Northeast, a space where tea lovers can gather, learn, and explore the traditions and possibilities of tea. It was hectic leading the project from miles away, but seeing it succeed was the cherry on top.
This year, we're hosting the event in a bigger space:
Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC)
📍47 Nichols Ave, Watertown, MA
📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 🕙 10 AM - 5 PM
If you're around, we'd love for you to visit and share a cup with our amazing lineup of vendors.
What's Happening at the Farms in Nepal?
For someone who had only seen the dried leaves in a bag, being in the verdant tea fields, plucking leaves, rolling them by hand, and crafting my own tea was incredible. Staying at the farms, meeting the producers, understanding the work behind every cup, the knowledge I gained was second to none.
After that, I took the lead on managing our tea tours in 2025. I met amazing people from all over the world who shared a love for tea and adventure, and I'm grateful for every conversation.
This year, my colleague Arya is taking over the tea tour program. If you've ever been curious about experiencing Nepal firsthand, living like a tea farmer for a week, plucking and crafting your own batch, exploring historic cities, eating home-cooked Nepali meals, and meeting the people behind the tea, give me a ping and I'll connect you with Arya.
The first cohort is happening April 15th, with few spots still open for May and June. 
Chamomile Farm Visit
I recently visited our chamomile producer for two reasons: one, to bring you the story behind the chamomile you purchase, and two, I personally wanted to see the fresh flowers, understand the process, and learn more about this amazing plant.
The farm is located in Khokana, Lalitpur, and has been in operation for six years. It started after the devastating 2015 earthquake left many people unemployed. What began with 10+ households has now grown into a collective of 100+ families, each cultivating and harvesting chamomile on their own plots of land.
Buddhi Maharjan, a botanist by profession, leads the operation. He's incredibly hands-on, managing the farm, monitoring plant health, and educating the local communities on sustainable practices. Families are given seedlings to grow, along with proper training on care and cultivation.
Here's what surprised me:
Chamomile usually grows up to 3 feet tall. But this year, because of climate change and less rainfall, the bushes were only 1.5 to 2 feet. Despite this they expect to haverst around 8 tons.
The flowers are hand-plucked, only the flower, not the stem, because the stem makes it bitter. They're then spread in a single layer and shade-dried in a well-ventilated area to preserve their delicate flavor and aroma.
Nearly three years ago, I joined Nepal Tea Collective thinking I'd learn a bit about tea and help grow wholesale accounts. What I didn't expect was how much this role would teach me about community, storytelling, and the people behind every cup.
I've met incredible farmers, traveled to remote estates, tasted teas I never knew existed, and worked with partners who genuinely care about doing this right.
I'm grateful for the time I've had here, and I'm excited to see where Nepal Tea Collective and all of you go next.
See you next month!
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