The art of brewing dreams

The co-founder of Atlanta-based Herbs & Kettles is Dr. Poorvi Chordia, a physician turned tea sommelier. The venture aims to provide authentic Indian tea experiences to Atlantans and beyond. Together with her husband, this dynamic entrepreneur is creating a unique tea experience. In addition to her medical background, she is passionate about the art of brewing tea.

Dr. Poorvi Chordia, a physician and tea sommelier, co-founded Herbs & Kettles in Atlanta to share an authentic Indian tea experience. Her childhood in Mumbai shaped her appreciation for tea, where it symbolized hospitality and community connections. 

After relocating to the U.S., Poorvi sought to maintain her tea traditions and share them with family in Atlanta, especially during significant moments. Serving as a frontline physician during the pandemic, she acknowledged tea's calming effects, which inspired her to embrace wellness through her entrepreneurial venture.

In 2021, Poorvi traveled to Indian tea gardens to connect with sustainable farmers and carefully choose premium teas, ultimately becoming certified as a tea sommelier. This blending of her medical knowledge and passion for tea led her to embrace the identity of “Doctor Chaiwala.” 

The diversity and farm-to-table ethos of Atlanta informed Herbs & Kettles' business model. Engaging with local farmers' markets allowed them to connect with the community and discover unique tea flavors, leading to innovations like their popular Vanilla Lavender Chai, a modern interpretation of traditional masala chai.

Herbs & Kettles sets itself apart through direct sourcing from Indian tea gardens, fostering a philosophy centered on fresh, local ingredients. They build personal relationships with tea farmers to ensure quality and authenticity, gaining insights into cultivation practices and flavor profiles. 

This direct approach enhances the quality of their teas while promoting transparency about the origins for customers. Moreover, the company's commitment to social responsibility encompasses fair trade practices, dedicating 1% of revenue to wildlife conservation. 

Each tea features an endangered animal mascot representative of its region’s biodiversity. Through collaboration with a nonprofit for the Red Panda Conservation Project, Herbs & Kettles intertwines its tea offerings with conservation efforts, reflecting their values and fostering a positive impact on communities and ecosystems linked to their teas.

As ITMA-certified tea sommeliers, Poorvi and her husband utilize their expertise to select and curate exceptional teas. They assess crucial factors such as terroir, seasonality, and flavor profiles to ensure high-quality batches. 

Terroir represents the environmental influences on tea production, while seasonality highlights unique flavors that vary throughout the year. Their stringent selection process ensures each tea reflects the quality principles upheld by their brand.

Poorvi’s journey emphasizes her deep-rooted connection to tea and community, her entrepreneurship fueled by her medical background, and her commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainability in the tea sector. 

With Herbs & Kettles, she aims to share her tea passion while enriching Atlanta's local culture, advocating for environmental preservation, and creating a distinctive tea experience for a diverse audience. 

Additionally, her certification allows her to educate customers on tea steeping techniques, enhancing their appreciation for the varied flavors of their offerings. This dedication urges customers to nurture a deeper connection to the teas they enjoy, fostering a community that values quality and transparency in every cup.

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