"Britain is a land of hope where, if you work hard, you can reap your glory, which means a roof over your head, food on the table and a happy, healthy family. Tea just makes it even better."
Hope & Glory’s founders, Nina and Bharat Chudasama, met after university when they were both still working in the corporate world, Bharat in the global pharmaceutical industry armed with a first-class degree in pharmacology, and Nina in IT. Both Bharat and Nina are third generation British-Indians whose families first came to Britain via Africa. Nina’s grandfather walked with Mahatma Gandhi in the 1930 Salt March; today such valour and values are proudly represented in Hope & Glory’s logo depicting the Red Fort in Delhi.
Raised between two cultures, both Nina and Bharat had it drummed into them as children how much good Britain had done, not just for India but for civilisation as a whole. Among other things, it was Britain that had first made it possible for India to become the source of two world famous teas – Assam and Darjeeling tea. In fact, to this day, Nina and Bharat believe that tea stands for everything that was great, is great and can be great about Britain. Hope & Glory!
Even as their careers began to take off, Nina especially dreamed of starting a business that their family could call their own. Tea seemed the perfect choice; she had always loved everything to do with tea.
‘Growing up I remember the smell of Masala Chai coming from the kitchen every morning, especially on Sundays when the tea was brewed longer and stronger. My Mum or Aunty always made it the same way; fresh black tea, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and pepper steeped in a mix of half milk and water and simmered in a pot on the stove. As children we drank it out of saucers so we wouldn’t burn our mouths, as did my Dad who had to drink his tea quickly before rushing to work. On Sundays he had time to sit and relax and drink his tea from a beautiful cup and saucer, always sweetened to bring out the spices. I still relax when I smell Chai tea and spices brewing, it gives me such a homey feeling.’ – Nina Chudasama
Today, Nina’s dream has come true, and their Hope & Glory tea company operates from offices just around the corner from the home they share with their three young children in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. Nina and Bharat take it in turns to travel around the world, visiting tea gardens and tea plantations in order to personally meet growers and select the best teas for the Hope & Glory brand. They are now full-time entrepreneurs, both having given up their day jobs for the love of tea.
‘The name Hope & Glory is inspired by my Dad. He had to leave school at eleven to help put food on the table and despite humble beginnings he believed that if you worked hard your dreams would always come true. He brought me up to believe that Britain is a land of hope where, if you work hard, you can reap your glory, which means a roof over your head, food on the table and a happy, healthy family. Tea just makes it even better.’ – Nina Chudasama
