Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the teas from?
Our teas are manufactured at Wah Tea Estate, in Palampur Himachal Pradesh. It is our family estate, and we oversee all the steps of production to ensure only the highest quality.
Our Kadak Chai is a blend of Wah Tea with our family’s tea estate in Assam, leading to the freshest and most addictive cup of chai for you!
Are the flavors natural?
Wah Teas are made with 100% natural ingredients. We do not use any artificial flavors or preservatives.
How should I brew my teas?
Each tea has a different way of brewing, the instructions for which are given on the packaging. It is important to remember that most of Wah Teas should always be steeped in hot water, and never boiled in water.
How much of tea leaves do I put for one cup of tea?
We recommend using ½ to 1 teaspoon of leaves per cup of tea (this amounts to approximately 2 gm of tea).
Can I pay cash on delivery?
We currently do not offer COD facilities for our teas.
How long does my order take to arrive?
Our teas are shipped right from source, which is our tea estate in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. With that in mind, for most orders we require 5 to 7 working days once the order has been shipped.
Do you ship Internationally?
Currently, we can only ship within India, but we are working on this!
Decades Of Tea Tradition
I come from a family of tea planters, and grew up accustomed to the taste of chai, often more cups of orthodox tea than water! Over time, my extended family has owned gardens in Darjeeling, Assam, Dooars and of course, Himachal Pradesh.
Now, I am a fourth generation planter and personally look into the entire manufacturing process. I live in Palampur, and this means that all my time and effort is spent in creating perfect cups of tea for my friends and supporters, instead of directing the process from afar.
Many companies and brands have been built around tea. But I wanted to be able to ensure that our best quality tea goes directly from our estate to your home. Just as it holds for many things, nothing compares to a single-estate tea looked into personally by the owners. I also wanted to begin taking steps towards making Wah Tea a sustainable brand.
- Surya
A Family Legacy – The “Chaiwalas”
In the early 1900s, my forefather Sheo Parsad owned a simple provisions shop in Dehra Dun from which he also sold tea that he would purchase from Goodrich Tea Estate in Kaulagarh. Tea proved to be a profitable product, and with some hard work, Sheo Parsad and his brother Dharshanlal were able to expand the number of shops.
Sometime in 1917, the Goodrich Tea Estate owner Darbar Sahib was about to lose the estate to the British as collateral against dues. But Sheo Prasad was able to cover the loan on the condition that Goodrich Tea Estate would be leased to them for some years. This proved to be the first step towards generations of tea experience and multiple tea gardens. The family eventually came to be respectfully known as the ‘Chaiwalas’.
This was the first tea garden managed by my family and provided them the opportunity to learn the business of growing and manufacturing tea. The family’s tea empire was built on the money generated from leasing Goodrich. By 1960, the family was producing approximately 10 million kgs of tea from estates across India.
The Wah Factor
Wah Tea Estate was established in 1857 in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh by the British. The estate saw decades of continuous cultivation, and even survived an earthquake which struck the region in 1905. The Wah estate was then taken over by Sir Sikander Hayat-Khan, the son of the Nawab of Wah in Pakistan, who named the estate after his birthplace. The word ‘Wah’ means ‘wow’, and a visit to the estate will hopefully elicit the same reaction!
In 1953, the estate was taken over by my family, known as the Chaiwala family. As the family grew, the plantations were divided amongst the younger generations; however, the renowned ‘Chaiwala’ name continues to bind them together. Wah Tea Estate is now looked after by the third and fourth generation of the family, my father Deepak Prakash and I.
As a young boy, I grew up visiting the tea garden several times a year. With each passing year, I came to appreciate the beauty and charm offered by the vast tracts of unpolluted, tranquil Kangra – a place where the pine-scented air is said to have curative powers. Years of travelling around the world compelled me to start sharing the experience at Wah, and with this, the idea for The Lodge at Wah was born.
To the many, many people who encouraged me to share my story, and my passion for the beverage – Thank You. And to all those who are considering believing in our brand and ideals – Welcome.
Good things are brewing!
-Surya