ABOUT US

Our Story

A legacy of over 90 years in the Indian tea industry and a eureka moment is what led to the creation of VAHDAM® India. The traditional supply-chain was disrupted, technology was put to good use, and the glory of handpicked Indian teas, spices and superfoods was put on the map, courtesy of a homegrown brand with a world bound take. No unnecessary middlemen. Straight from India’s divine gardens to your cups. And it all started with a young man’s pursuit to make his country’s native wellness wisdom accessible to the entire world, through an honest and ethical route.

READ OUR FOUNDERS LETTER

A STORY OF HERITAGE, PASSION & COMMITMENT

90 Years of Legacy

1837

The first commercial tea plantation is setup in the state of Assam, India by the Britishers in 1837. In a few years, tea is successfully grown in Darjeeling.

1931

Marwari trader Nathmull Sarda migrates from Rajasthan to the picturesque town of Darjeeling in the early 1900s. Starts a local store in 1931 to retail Darjeeling teas from surrounding estates to visiting tourists. His son Nandlall Sarda takes over soon after. The small family business grows steadily over the next few decades.

Our Story

Madhav Sarda, the youngest son of Nandlall Sarda, joins the family business. Moves to Delhi in 1980 and starts a tea store by the name of 'Kho-Cha' in a quaint market, opposite the Delhi Golf Club in Lutyens Delhi.

2012

4th generation Bala Sarda, Madhav's only son joins the family business of retailing & bulk exports in 2012. Soon realizes the need to cut out unnecessary middlemen and build a value added single origin tea brand from India.

2015

Bala Sarda starts VAHDAM® India at the age of 23 with a dream of building an ethical, home-grown brand to take the freshest & finest Indian teas to the world, packed at origin. 'VAHDAM' is the reverse anagram of his father's first name, 'Madhav'. Launches in the United States as the first market.

2017

Loved by customers globally, VAHDAM® India expanded its reach into more countries.

2018

VAHDAM® launches its flagship social impact initiative TEACH METM and pledges 1% of revenue towards the education of the farmers' children in India.

2019

VAHDAM is endorsed by global icon Oprah Winfrey in her list of Favorite Things. The brand gets featured on the popular 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' and introduces a Limited Edition Assortment with singer Mariah Carey. Launches its products in offline retail with the iconic Wegmans Supermarkets in the US.

2020

On Earth Day, VAHDAM® becomes a Climate & Plastic Neutral certified brand. Publishes it's first Annual Impact Report and reaches the coveted milestone of shipping to the 100th country.

2021

The Discovery Channel films a documentary on the brand. Forbes features VAHDAM® in their '100 Companies to Watch' list. Bala Sarda is recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30, Entrepreneur 35 Under 35 & Business World 40 Under 40 honoree amongst other recognitions.

2022

VAHDAM® becomes the first Indian brand to be a part of the prestigious Oscars & Emmy Awards. Crosses the 3 million+ consumers milestone. Launches the Nandlall & Sarita Devi Sarda Scholarship to fund higher education of the farmers' children.

2023

The TEACH MeTM initiative touches over 13,000+ children in 60+ estates & schools. VAHDAM® launches its first experience store at Khan Market in New Delhi, India.

2024

Bala Sarda wins the prestigious Economic Times 'Global Entrepreneur of the Year Award'.

We are a young brand. So if there is any feedback, feel free to reach out to our founder directly at bala@vahdam.com

5 Million Customers 110,000+ 5 Star Ratings Oprah's Favorite Things 2018 & 2019 Featured on the Ellen's Show