Ispahani Tea: a Hyderabad-born tea legacy built on vision, continuity and scalable enterprise

The foundation of Ispahani Tea in 1964 was closely tied to the worldview of its founder Iqbal Hussain, a trained pharmacist who approached business with a strong sense of ethics, discipline and social engagement. Hussain viewed everyday consumables as instruments that could positively influence daily life. Tea, in particular, held a special place in his thinking – as a source of energy, companionship and cultural bonding across communities.

A formative episode shaped the brand’s direction when Hussain gifted carefully selected premium tea blends to doctors in Kolkata as a gesture of respect. The response to those blends highlighted an unmet demand for tea that combined strength, aroma and consistency. Encouraged by this reception, Hussain established Ispahani Tea in Hyderabad, a city whose long-standing chai culture closely aligned with his philosophy.

From the outset, the brand followed a methodical approach. Hussain emphasised quality control, stable sourcing and uniform blending, consciously avoiding shortcuts or aggressive marketing. His belief was that trust, once earned through consistency, would sustain the brand over generations.

Consolidation and trust-led growth

During its early decades, Ispahani Tea expanded quietly but steadily. Rather than pursuing rapid geographic spread, the focus remained on building dependable distribution within Hyderabad and its surrounding markets. The brand gained strong acceptance in households, tea stalls and neighbourhood retail outlets, where repeat consumption and familiarity mattered most.

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ispahani Tea had established a robust distribution network across the Old City, emerging residential areas and commercial hubs. This period marked the brand’s consolidation as a dependable everyday tea, particularly among working families and small businesses that valued consistency over novelty.

Second-generation leadership and structured expansion

The transition of leadership to Mohammed Taiyebi and Salman Taiyebi, sons of the founder, marked a decisive phase of modernisation while retaining the brand’s core philosophy. Both leaders brought complementary strengths to the business.

Mohammed Taiyebi focused on operational systems, supplier relationships and internal processes. His emphasis was on scale with control – ensuring that as volumes increased, the taste profile and quality benchmarks remained unchanged. Packaging standards were refined, supply chains strengthened and product categories clearly structured.

Salman Taiyebi concentrated on brand visibility, retail experience and consumer engagement. He played a key role in expanding the brand beyond packaged tea into experience-led formats. This dual leadership approach enabled Ispahani Tea to diversify its presence while remaining anchored to its original identity.

Product portfolio and brand extensions

Today, Ispahani Tea operates through a layered brand architecture. Its core range includes strong black tea blends sourced from Assam, Darjeeling and the Nilgiris, designed for everyday consumption and high repeat demand. Green and white teas cater to consumers seeking lighter or health-oriented options.

The introduction of Finjaan marked the brand’s entry into premium and wellness-driven segments. Finjaan focuses on herbal and speciality blends, positioned for gifting, lifestyle consumption and curated tea experiences. This sub-brand allows Ispahani Tea to address higher-value markets without diluting its mass appeal.

Another strategic extension is Bhai ki Chai, a café-style concept that presents tea as a social experience. Rooted in familiar flavours but delivered through a contemporary format, Bhai ki Chai expands the brand’s reach among younger and urban consumers.

Physical retail and experiential presence

A major milestone in the brand’s journey came in 2022 with the opening of its first flagship retail outlet at Mir Alam Mandi in Hyderabad’s Old City. The decision to locate the flagship in the Old City reflected confidence in the brand’s roots and its enduring relevance in traditional markets.

The outlet functions as a comprehensive brand showcase, bringing together classic blends, Finjaan speciality teas and experiential elements linked to Bhai ki Chai. It also signalled a strategic shift towards direct consumer engagement through owned retail spaces.

Timeline of key milestones

• 1964: Ispahani Tea founded in Hyderabad by Iqbal Hussain
• 1967: Introduction of early flavoured tea variants
• 1990: Expansion of structured distribution across Hyderabad
• 2002: Launch of Finjaan herbal and speciality tea range
• 2022: Opening of the first flagship Ispahani Tea store at Mir Alam Mandi

Market position and Hyderabad relevance

Ispahani Tea occupies a distinctive position in Hyderabad’s beverage landscape. It is neither a short-cycle trend brand nor a niche luxury label. Instead, it represents a stable, volume-driven consumer brand deeply embedded in the city’s daily routines.

Hyderabad’s tea culture – shaped by long working hours, social interactions and neighbourhood commerce – aligns closely with the brand’s proposition. Ispahani Tea’s strength lies in familiarity, accessibility and trust built over decades. This makes it particularly relevant in a city where brand loyalty is shaped more by habit than advertising.

Ispahani Tea stands out as a home-grown enterprise that has evolved organically alongside the city itself.

Franchise opportunity and business relevance

The current growth strategy of Ispahani Tea places strong emphasis on franchising as a structured expansion route. The brand’s long operating history, diversified formats and established consumer base make it a low-volatility proposition for entrepreneurs.

Key strengths for franchise partners include:

• Six decades of brand recall and consumer trust
• Multiple retail formats, from packaged tea outlets to café-style concepts
• Centralised sourcing and standardised blends
• Compatibility with high-frequency, everyday consumption patterns
• Scalability across residential and commercial localities

Rather than relying on premium positioning alone, the franchise model is designed around steady demand, repeat customers and operational clarity.

From the founding vision of Iqbal Hussain to the stewardship of Mohammed Taiyebi and Salman Taiyebi, Ispahani Tea’s journey reflects continuity, discipline and adaptive growth. It is a brand shaped by Hyderabad’s culture, strengthened by generational leadership and positioned for sustainable expansion.

As it grows through franchising and experiential retail, Ispahani Tea continues to represent a rare balance of heritage and enterprise – a Hyderabad brand built to endure.