THE STORY OF HAJI TEA

Haji Reza Ebrahimi (1928 - 2017)

My Grandfather, Haji Reza Ebrahimi Karganrood, was a tea merchant from Northern Iran, on the shore of the Caspian Sea. Grandad Haji was a great and generous man who helped everyone who would come to him.

He came to Britain to look after one of his sons who had fled to Europe during the Iran-Iraq war and was suffering badly from post-traumatic stress obtained in this conflict.

Grandad left all his business interests with relatives who had stayed back. His son turned out to need more help than he initially expected and so Haji settled in London. In the meantime his relatives at home betrayed his trust and appropriated all his business and properties for themselves.

When he died at the age of 89 he had lost everything.

In his spirit and memory I, his granddaughter, decided to start Haji Tea.

THE CHARMS OF HAJI TEA

My Grandfather used to hide little presents in the tea he sold, ranging from small tea cups to gold coins. In this spirit some packages of Haji Tea contain a small good luck charm. Since he passed away I still feel my Grandad is looking after me. 

When suddenly some unexpected luck comes my way or all the traffic lights turn green - I know Haji is there watching over us. I hope some of this luck will also rub off on you with the traditional charms we put for you in Haji Tea.

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My grandad was an observant muslim but the Islam he believed in was an open and tolerant one.  Following the pilgrimage to Mecca he obtained the honorary title ‘Haji’ which we used ever since. With reference to this the design of our packaging and branding is intended to evoke the Kaaba in Mecca.

HAJI TEA NO. 1 - ORIGINAL BLEND

Amlash Black Tea blended with rose petals and spices

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Haji Tea Supports Local Action

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My grandfather Haji Reza deeply cared about the plants and animals of his native Gilan. He passed on his love and awareness of nature to his children and grandchildren.

Haji would have been shocked by the levels of pollution and environmental damage brought about in recent years by industrial development that now affect his homeland and the Caspian Sea he left behind many decades ago.

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Haji Tea has therefore made a pledge to donate part of our profits to local, grass-roots environmental and conservation organisations - which are still in their infancy in Iran. We sponsor local groups such as 'Nature Cleaners' whose mission is to raise awareness of as well as fight and clean up the rampant plastic pollution on the Caspian's beaches.