Sikkim’s Temi Tea is preparing for a wider international push, with Japan, Germany, the US and South Korea identified as key markets as the tea brand develops a franchise model and new products for younger consumers.
The plans were outlined by Radha Pradhan, Managing Director of Temi Tea, during a September 14 visit by a 13-member Press Information Bureau media delegation to the Temi Tea Garden and factory in South Sikkim. Pradhan said the company is working on a franchise model to expand the brand’s presence and make Temi Tea more accessible across different markets.
Alongside the franchise initiative, Temi Tea is exploring new products and marketing strategies aimed particularly at Gen Z and Gen Alpha. A government information report said the company is considering formats including boba tea and ready-to-drink pre-mix organic tea, reflecting its efforts to take its traditional tea offering to younger consumers.
International expansion is becoming a larger part of the brand’s growth strategy, with Pradhan highlighting opportunities in Japan, Germany, the United States and South Korea. The company has not yet announced franchise fees, investment requirements, store formats, partners or launch timelines.
Established in 1969, Temi Tea Estate is Sikkim’s flagship tea estate and has been certified as an organic tea estate since 2008. The estate produces orthodox black tea along with green, oolong and white varieties, grown at elevations of around 1,400–2,000 metres in the Himalayan region.
The brand has also been strengthening its direct-to-consumer infrastructure. In January 2026, Temi Tea launched its own e-commerce platform, designed to widen access to its products in domestic and international markets. Its current portfolio includes black and green teas, first-pluck tea and premium gift formats.
Temi Tea currently lists outlets in Gangtok and Jorethang, giving the estate an existing retail base that could support its planned franchise strategy.
The proposed franchise model marks a new stage in Temi Tea’s expansion, as the Sikkim-origin brand looks to combine its organic tea heritage with new consumer formats and an international retail presence.
