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“For first half of year, we achieved turnover of ?40 cr”
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Monday, 14 October, 2024, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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 Launched in the year 2016, The Tea Planet, started as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform. It offers over 200 tea products, including India’s first bubble tea ingredients. The company has grown into a major player in the Indian tea market, serving both B2C and B2B sectors with innovative tea solutions and expanding into international markets. Srinivas Ganadinni, founder and chairman, and Madhuri Ganadinni, co-founder of The Tea Planet, in an exclusive interview with Harcha Bhaskar talks about the company’s tea export to several countries, the total production of tea in the Indian market and company’s tea share in the Indian market. Excerpts:
Tell us briefly about your company.
At The Tea Planet, we manufacture and supply all the key ingredients for bubble tea, or "boba tea," along with comprehensive café solutions. From tapioca pearls to flavoured syrups and pre-mixes, we cater to the entire spectrum of needs for café owners. What makes us stand out is that we don’t just supply; we also customise products based on market needs and help café owners create unique offerings that set them apart. Whether you're setting up a café from scratch or expanding your menu, we provide everything from bubble tea ingredients to full-scale café solutions, ensuring you have all the tools you need to succeed.
What is your share in the Indian market?
In the rapidly growing bubble tea market in India, we hold a 70 per cent market share, positioning us as the industry leader. This dominant presence underscores our commitment to quality, innovation, and understanding consumer preferences. We've tapped into a growing trend and turned it into a booming market here in India.
What are the different and innovative products offered by you?
We’re always at the forefront of innovation. For instance, our Konjac pearls—a healthier alternative to traditional tapioca pearls—are made from a root-based vegetable, offering a low-calorie and fibre-rich option that’s perfect for health-conscious customers. Our Ready-to-Drink (RTD) beverages are also making waves; we would soon have pre-packaged bubble teas, perfect for on-the-go consumers. In addition, we're introducing Indianised flavours like saffron and mojito bubble tea, marrying global trends with local preferences. Our product range ensures there’s something for everyone, from the adventurous to the traditional tea lover.
Explain to us the concept of bubble tea, and how it is made and consumed.
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a refreshing, versatile drink that combines brewed tea (usually black, green, or fruit-infused) with chewy tapioca pearls. The tea is often mixed with milk (dairy or plant-based), sweeteners, and flavourings before being shaken to create a frothy, smooth texture. Tapioca pearls sit at the bottom of the cup, giving the tea its signature “bubble” effect when they are sucked up through a wide straw. The beauty of bubble tea lies in its customisation options—consumers can choose everything from the tea base to the toppings like jellies or popping boba, making each cup a unique experience.
What are end-to-end tea solutions you give to cafés across the country?
We offer comprehensive tea solutions for cafés, including CTC tea premixes, milkshake premixes, and various syrups for creating mocktails and other beverages. In addition, we supply coffee beans, coffee powders, and even vending machine powders that are designed to offer convenience with 3-in-1 formulas. These products allow cafés to create a diverse menu, catering to a wide audience with minimal effort, while maintaining quality and consistency.
Who are your prime clients you supply your product to?
While we wish we could name all the clients we serve, confidentiality agreements prevent us from disclosing their names. What we can say is that our client base includes some of the biggest café chains and beverage brands in India, and we’ve had long-standing relationships with them for years. These collaborations reflect the trust and credibility we've built within the industry.
Tell us about your manufacturing facilities.
Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility spans 15,000 square feet, where we produce a wide range of bubble tea ingredients, including tapioca and popping boba, syrups, and premixes. Our facility has the capacity to produce 20 tonne of premixes per day and 2 tonne of other bubble tea ingredients. We maintain rigorous quality control to ensure that every batch meets our high standards and reflects the consistency that our customers have come to expect.
Tell us about the R&D that goes into your products.
We’re deeply invested in research and development. We have an in-house R&D lab dedicated to product innovation and improving our existing range. Our team of food technologists works continuously on New Product Development (NPD), experimenting with new flavours, healthier alternatives, and more efficient production methods. This dedication to R&D ensures that we remain competitive and at the forefront of the bubble tea and cafe solutions' market, always offering something new and exciting.
From where is the tea sourced from, what are various certifications you have and regulations you follow while procuring these raw materials?
We source our tea primarily from Assam, known for its robust, full-bodied flavour that perfectly complements our range of bubble tea offerings. Assam’s rich soil, tropical climate, and high rainfall create the ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality tea. This region is globally renowned for producing some of the finest teas, which align with our commitment to excellence.
In terms of certifications, we adhere to the Tea Board of India's standards and maintain FSSAI certification to ensure quality and safety. Our procurement process is rooted in ethical practices—fair trade is at the heart of everything we do. We ensure that every batch meets the required CoA (Certificate of Analysis), guaranteeing the purity and consistency of our product. Our dedication to ethical sourcing not only supports sustainable practices but also ensures that the communities involved in tea production are treated fairly.
Tell us about your franchise model, how does it work?
Our franchise model is designed to be flexible and adaptable to various settings—whether it’s a standalone café or a kiosk in high-traffic areas like universities, medical centres, shopping malls, or airports. Our menu has been carefully researched and conceptualised, blending global trends with local flavours to offer a unique, tantalising experience for customers. We've standardised everything from portion sizes to selling prices, ensuring uniformity across all outlets while maintaining product variety. By offering homegrown products and tapping into the universal appeal of cafés, we provide franchise owners with a well-rounded and profitable business model.
How much is the annual turnover of the company? At what rate is the company growing?
In just the first half of this year, we achieved a turnover of Rs 40 crore. Bubble tea, in particular, is growing at an exponential rate, with demand for ingredients increasing by nearly 10x. This meteoric rise reflects both the increasing consumer interest in bubble tea and the trust that customers and café owners alike place in our brand.
How much is the total production of tea in India? Which state is the highest producer?
India is one of the largest tea producers in the world, with an annual output exceeding 1.3 billion kg. The state of Assam leads the way in tea production, accounting for around 50 per cent of the country’s total output. This is due to its favourable climate, rich soil, and the long-standing tea cultivation traditions that make Assam tea one of the most sought-after varieties globally.
Which are the countries you export your products to?
We currently export to several international markets, including the Maldives, the UK, and the UAE. Some of the countries previously relied on imports from China, but as costs have risen, they’ve turned to us for high-quality, cost-effective alternatives. Our ability to provide locally-manufactured ingredients that meet international standards has made us a reliable partner in these regions.
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