Meet the Maker
The maker behind the tea is Sonam Lama, a man for whom tea isn't just a business; it is his life's purpose and identity. The grandson of a seasoned planter, he began his journey as a young intern studying tea clones straight out of Delhi University.
After spending a decade in Nepal, deeply involved in empowering small farmers, he was urged by his grandfather to return home to Darjeeling. He answered the call, determined to use his global experience to help local small growers who were struggling to survive under the shadow of colonial-era mega-plantations. To bring this vision to life, he opened his own small factory near Peshok in 2025. Because local farmers were too busy just trying to survive, he leases and manages 15 to 20 hectares of small gardens himself to ensure the highest-quality leaf.
What I admire most is his profound respect for both his community and the craft; he even pays his factory workers double the standard regional wages. But beyond the craft, it was his philosophy that moved me. During our conversation, he told me that nature uses us to propagate its messages, and he called me a "messenger" meant to share the true story of Darjeeling with you all here in Berlin. I am so deeply honored to be that messenger. When you drink his tea, you are experiencing decades of heritage and a profound, spiritual love for the leaf.