Brewing Ambition in Moradabad: How a Local Entrepreneur Built a Tea Brand from Scratch

In India, where tea is not just a beverage but an experience, many entrepreneurs have tried to turn this daily ritual into a business. Few, however, have done so with the determination and grassroots clarity of Mani Gupta from Moradabad.

Gupta, the founder of the tea brand Tap and Dip and firm The Alive Leaf, did not begin his journey with a grand entrepreneurial blueprint. Like many young Indians, his initial path was directed towards securing a government job. During his college years, he devoted  time to preparing for competitive examinations, seeking  stability and security.

But life had other plans.

When success in government job preparation remained elusive, a conversation with his elder brother became the turning point. Having lived in Sikkim, close to Darjeeling’s famed tea estates, his brother was familiar with the tea ecosystem and encouraged Gupta  to explore the opportunity.

That advice planted the seed of an idea.

From raw leaves to retail packs

Today, Mani’s venture focuses on tea manufacturing and packaging. He sources raw tea leaves from Assam and Darjeeling, two of India’s most respected tea-producing regions.

The process begins with procuring graded tea varieties, such as BOP and BOPSM, from Siliguri and Darjeeling markets. Once the raw material reaches Moradabad, the blending process begins.

Different tea grades are mixed in precise ratios inside large containers to ensure consistency in taste and quality. But what truly sets Tap and Dip apart is its customised flavour profile.

Gupta  has developed a signature in-house spice blend that goes beyond traditional masala tea. The blend includes rose, cinnamon, star anise, tulsi, black cardamom, green cardamom, and cloves. These ingredients are powdered and added to tea batches to enhance both freshness and flavour.

This unique infusion creates a distinct identity for the brand in a highly competitive market.

Building a brand with purpose

The name Tap and Dip reflects a simple yet thoughtful philosophy. According to Mani, tea is often consumed during moments of pause — when people are thinking, planning, or preparing for important tasks.

The idea was to create a tea that becomes part of that thinking ritual.

Operationally, the Moradabad unit focuses primarily on packaging. With a team that includes two sales representatives handling external distribution, the in-house setup runs a packaging machine capable of processing nearly 100 kilograms of tea per hour.

Fuelled by government support

A major milestone in Gupta’s journey came through the CM Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (CM YUVA) Yojana.

He first learned about the programme through social media and Startup India updates. The scheme offered what early-stage entrepreneurs often struggle to access — an interest-free loan without collateral.

Recognising its potential, Gupta applied.

With an investment requirement of around Rs 5 lakh, the scheme enabled him to purchase machinery worth approximately Rs 2.5 lakh. The remaining funds were used to procure raw materials and develop packaging infrastructure.

This financial backing enabled  him to move from idea to execution without the burden of traditional credit constraints.

Looking ahead

Currently focused on tea, Gupta’s  ambitions extend beyond a single product line. He plans to expand Tap and Dip into a broader range of offerings under the same brand umbrella.

His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is rooted in lived experience: start with what you know, take calculated risks, and leverage available institutional support.

From a college student preparing for government exams to a tea entrepreneur building his own brand, Gupta’s journey highlights how small beginnings, when combined with the right guidance and opportunity, can brew into something meaningful.