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THE QUIET POWER OF TEA

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6 months ago

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A professional, medium-shot portrait of Mr. Nirmal Sethia, Chairman of Newby Teas. He is an elderly gentleman with distinguished white hair and glasses, dressed in a sharp navy blue blazer, a crisp white shirt, and a patterned silk tie. He is seated in a refined, classic interior—likely a study or private library—with a soft-focus background that emphasizes his thoughtful and authoritative expression as a leader in the luxury tea industry

Exclusive interview with Mr. Nirmal Sethia, Chairman, NEWBY TEAS

As the Chairman of Newby Teas, what personal experience or early memory first sparked your determination to safeguard the world’s finest teas?

I was born a contrarian. I never believed in what the world defined as wealth, nor did I follow what others spoke or accepted. I wanted to do things no one had done before. To search not for the root, but the seed from which the root emerges. Searching for the pedigree of the character.

I left home early as a young boy, and someone offered me the job of a tea boy at a tea broker’s house in London, where auctions were held in those days. Little did I know then that I would fall in love with the scope of learning. I never forgot my respected late father’s words:

  1. Never lie.
  2. Never steal.
  3. Never pretend to know what you don’t know, otherwise you will never learn.

That is where my first love for tea truly began. Tea was discovered in 2737 BC by the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung. He, was an herbalist who created tea because of its antioxidant properties and its ability to support longevity. The brew fought bacteria and strengthened the lifeline. It became a magic of time, people drank it, and their longevity increased.

Tea is what you serve at home to connect-moments. How does Newby Teas reimagine that domestic ritual, so it feels elevated for today’s homes?

In earlier times, aristocrats and highly educated people drank fine teas. Over thousands of years, tea became the second most popular drink in the world after water, which created a great opportunity for thugs and fraudulent merchants. As demand increased, so did the market for cheap teas, driven by immoral traders and tea growers supplying poor-quality leaves.

Tea is very much like human life. The finest tea today sells for multi-millions of dollars per kilo, and the cheapest sells for two dollars. The best carries the character of a king, the worst, the character of a crook. Many families unknowingly buy cheap teas, saving pennies while risking their health — later spending millions in hospitals and inviting misery, especially for the elderly, children, and women.

Newby’s charitable institution restores honour to the home tea ritual by ensuring every cup is pure, safe, and worthy of the family that drinks it. We buy fine teas, store them securely, and protect them from contamination, humidity, and pollution. Every tea undergoes rigorous testing by Eurofins, one of the world’s most respected agro-labs. Each tea carries a QR code linking to its certificate. No other tea company in the world offers such transparency.

Mr. Sethia, you’ve said you returned to tea because it was your “first love”. How did that personal reconnection shape the brand journey with Newby Teas?

When my wife was alive, she was my first love, and tea was my second. Both taught me spirituality, the truth of life, and history. Today, history is a concoction of falsifications, especially where time has left no real trace.

This realisation led me to establish the Chitra Collection, named in tribute to my late wife. In 2011, I began collecting the finest surviving teaware and artefacts, pieces that would otherwise have been lost to time.

The collection spans from the 2nd century BC to the 20th century, tracing how civilisations lived, drank, and expressed refinement through tea. For the 21st century, we have gone a step further, designing new teapots that reintroduce affluency and aristocracy through a contemporary lens. It is our commitment to craftsmanship, artistry and cultural heritage. 

With over two thousand pieces, the Chitra Collection is today the world’s largest private collection dedicated to the historic culture of tea. It is not nostalgia. It is a responsibility to protect truth, craftsmanship, and heritage, so they may continue to teach future generations, just as tea once taught me.

As someone who has witnessed the erosion of tea culture over decades, what specific traditions or rituals where you determined to revive through your brand’s philosophy?

Tea cultura has not only been eroded — it has been stripped of its integrity. It has been turned into a slow poison for innocent and ignorant families, because nobody taught them the truth. As a contrarian, I realised that tea is the mother of human learning through nature. That understanding is what I was determined to revive.

I saw Newby Teas has adopted full carbon-neutral operations and is part of the Ethical Tea Partnership. How does this sustainability promise reflect in your newest collection and home-living angle?

The world is loudly promoting sustainability, but many use it as a bluff to sell contaminated cheap teas with high fluoride levels and harmful chemicals from pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. They hide behind sustainable packaging while offering unsafe products through retail, F&B, and hotels. Newby does not operate this way. Every tea we produce is tested, and transparent. No tea company in the world matches what Newby does or achieves in purity and safety.

Every big dream has its believers. Who were the friends or close confidants who stood by you in the early days as you turned your wife’s dream into a global brand?

I am probably the greatest believer in God’s grace and human dignity. The world is full of cheap bluffers, and as a contrarian, I have always chosen to stand aloof. My greatest friend and closest confidant is God, Allah.

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Hospitality

FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE: HEALTHY SIPS FOR DADS WHO PUT WELLNESS FIRST

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1 day ago

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June 19, 2026

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This Father’s Day, skip the usual gifts and treat health-conscious dads to something that supports their wellbeing from the inside out. UAE homegrown brand Saba Plant-Based offers a range of organic, probiotic-rich drinks crafted using fermentation, live cultures and carefully selected ingredients to support digestive wellness while delivering great taste. Convenient, refreshing and easy to incorporate into daily routines, these functional beverages make thoughtful gifts for fathers looking to prioritise healthy habits.

Water Kefir
Light, fruity and refreshing, Saba Plant-Based’s newly launched Water Kefir is packed with live probiotics that support gut health. This water-based fermented drink is caffeine-free, gentle on digestion and ideal for staying refreshed throughout the warmer months.

Flavours available in Blue Spirulina & Lemon Mint and Dragon Fruit, Strawberry & Lemon.

Apple Cider Vinegar Shots

For dads who appreciate practical wellness solutions, these convenient gut health shots are made with raw apple cider vinegar and designed to support healthy daily habits. Easy to enjoy at home, at work or on the go, they offer a simple addition to any wellness routine.

Flavours available in Cardamom & Ginger and Verbena & Orange Blossom.

Plant-Based Kefir

Made with organic coconut milk and live vegan kefir cultures, this creamy dairy-free alternative is rich in beneficial bacteria that support digestive wellbeing. It can be enjoyed on its own or added to smoothies and breakfast bowls for a probiotic boost.

Flavour available in Natural, Vanilla and Mango-Pineapple.

Organic Kombucha
As the first brand to locally brew organic-certified kombucha in the UAE, Saba Plant-Based offers a naturally refreshing fermented tea made with live cultures and organic ingredients. Raw, unpasteurised and low in sugar, it provides a flavourful alternative to conventional soft drinks.

Available in Classic, Mango, Raspberry, Peppermint, Hibiscus Basil, Cardamom and Ginger Turmeric.

Whether your father is a fitness enthusiast, wellness advocate or simply looking to make healthier everyday choices, Saba Plant-Based’s range of probiotic drinks offers a thoughtful Father’s Day gift that supports gut health, hydration and overall wellbeing.

The brand’s full gut-healthy product range can be purchased on www.sabaplantbased.ae or at supermarkets across UAE including Kibsons, Spinneys and Waitrose.

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Hospitality

ROHINI DUBAI LAUNCHES REFLECTIVE KINTSUGI KAHANI EXPERIENCE FOR CREATIVE AUDIENCES

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1 day ago

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June 19, 2026

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On 27 June, Rohini will host the Kintsugi Kahani Experience, inspired by the Japanese art of golden repair. Rooted in the philosophy of embracing imperfection, the experience invites guests to explore creativity through a hands-on workshop that celebrates the beauty found in flaws and life’s imperfections.

Throughout the evening, participants will create a meaningful keepsake to take home while engaging with the centuries-old concept of transforming brokenness into something beautiful and unique. Designed as a reflective and creative experience, the workshop offers guests an opportunity to connect with the art form in an intimate and inspiring setting.

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Hospitality

GCC Travellers Are Heading Away Earlier for Eid Al Adha, Dragonpass Data Reveals

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2 days ago

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June 19, 2026

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Dragonpass, the world’s leading provider of digital airport ecosystem platforms, has revealed new travel data showing a notable shift in how travellers across the GCC are planning their Eid journeys, with demand surging before Eid Al Adha rather than during the holiday itself.

According to Dragonpass data, travel activity across the GCC increased by 69% in the week leading up to Eid Al Adha 2026. However, rather than peaking during the holiday period, travel activity declined by 24% during Eid week and a further 18% in the week immediately after, suggesting many travellers chose to depart ahead of the holiday period.

The trend marks a clear contrast to Eid Al Fitr earlier this year, when travel activity across the GCC rose by 6% during the holiday week itself before declining by 20% in the following week. Saudi Arabia recorded the strongest Eid Al Fitr uplift in the region, with travel activity increasing by 25% during the holiday week.

Several GCC markets recorded particularly strong growth in the lead-up to Eid Al Adha. Kuwait saw the largest increase, with travel activity rising by 124.7% week-on-week, followed by Bahrain (+108.5%), the UAE (+79.2%), Qatar (+59.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+58.4%).

Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “The contrast between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is one of the most interesting travel trends we have observed this year. While Eid Al Fitr generated a more traditional holiday-week travel spike, Eid Al Adha saw travellers moving significantly earlier, with demand building before the holiday rather than during it.

“This highlights the dynamic nature of travel behaviour across the GCC and reinforces the importance of understanding how demand shifts around key travel periods. Despite periods of disruption affecting regional travel earlier this year, demand across the GCC has remained resilient, with travellers continuing to prioritise leisure and holiday travel.”

Saudi Arabia remained one of the region’s strongest-performing travel markets throughout both holiday periods. During Eid Al Fitr, the Kingdom recorded the clearest holiday-driven uplift in the GCC, with growth spread across several major airports. Madinah recorded the strongest increase at 58%, followed by Jeddah (29%), Dammam (25%) and Riyadh (22%).

During Eid Al Adha, Madinah again stood out as a key exception to the wider regional trend, recording a 20% increase during Eid week and a further 58% increase post-Eid, reflecting continued religious travel activity around the holiday period.

Looking ahead, Dragonpass expects strong travel demand across the GCC throughout the summer months. The latest Eid travel trends suggest travellers are becoming more deliberate in how they plan journeys around peak holiday periods, while demand for regional and international travel remains resilient. As summer travel gathers pace, these shifting patterns are expected to continue shaping passenger flows across the region.

As aviation connectivity continues to expand across the GCC, understanding how travellers adapt their behaviour around major holidays and peak travel periods will become increasingly important for airports, airlines and the wider travel ecosystem.

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