Dorje

Sparsh did his BA from Ashoka University. After working for the Centre for Political Research, he joined Dorje as the Chief Brewing Officer. Ishaan managed finances. Both grew up in Kolkata. They work with Selim Hill Tea Estate, established in 1871 — Sparsh's family business. Ishaan is a Bachelor of Science graduate from Università Bocconi, Italy, who previously worked as an M&A Analyst at Duff & Phelps before leaving to co-found Dorje Teas. The founding insight was simple but commercially transformative: Darjeeling tea is globally celebrated as the "Champagne of Teas," yet most Indians cannot access quality Darjeeling tea at home because the entire industry was built for export, not domestic consumption. India's tea market is ₹1.2 lakh crore and the Darjeeling tea market holds ₹1,500 crore — just 1% of total.

Dorje Teas is India's most authentically terroir-driven Darjeeling tea brand — sourcing exclusively from the Selim Hill Tea Estate (USDA Organic and Rainforest Alliance certified, established 1871), delivering each seasonal flush (First, Second, Monsoon) directly to consumers within weeks of harvest through a subscription and e-commerce model, packaging in technology that preserves flavour for up to six months, and eliminating the entire chain of brokers, exporters, and wholesalers that historically separated India's best tea gardens from Indian tea drinkers. Their range includes black, green, white, oolong, and herbal wellness blends — all sourced from Selim Hill. Rather than sending bulk tea into obscurity, they focused on preserving the unique character of each seasonal flush — from the delicate spring leaves to the robust monsoon harvest.