About Teas & Travel
Rooted in heritage, shaped by journeys and inspired by the people Behind Every Cup
Discover the story, philosophy and founders behind Teas & Travel — where tea meets place, culture and connection.
Our Story
Tea, for us, is not just a product — it is heritage, craft and connection.
Teas & Travel was born from a deep-rooted passion for tea that spans generations. What began in the tea gardens of India has grown into a global journey — one that connects people not only to exceptional teas, but to the stories, landscapes and communities behind them.
We believe that every cup of tea carries with it a sense of place — shaped by soil, climate, craftsmanship and tradition. Through Teas & Travel, we aim to bring this experience closer to you, creating a bridge between discerning tea drinkers and the growers who dedicate their lives to this craft.
More than a platform, this is an invitation — to explore, to understand and to experience tea in its most authentic form.
Our Vision
We envision a world where tea is experienced, not just consumed.
By connecting growers, travellers and tea lovers, we aim to create a more personal, transparent and meaningful relationship with tea one that honours its origins while embracing discovery.
A shared legacy, shaped by generations of tea expertise and a passion for meaningful experiences.
Shalini Agarwal
Based in the United States, Shalini connects tea growers with global audiences through education, trade and storytelling.
Anshuman Prakash
Anshuman brings deep, hands-on expertise in tea cultivation and production across Assam
and Darjeeling.
Husna-Tara Prakash
Heritage, sustainability and storytelling, Husna-Tara creates immersive tea and travel experiences rooted in culture and place.
Heritage and Expertise
Rooted in heritage
and expertise
Authenticity
Driven by authenticity
and traceability
Global relationships
Built on global relationships
and trust
Experience
Designed for curiosity, learning
and experience
Shalini Prakash Agarwal
I was born into the ‘Chaiwala’ family of Dehra Dun – literally meaning ‘people of tea’ – and grew up on tea farms in Assam and Darjeeling. My family has been in tea since the 1930s, and the fourth generation manages farms that my grandfather originally acquired from the British.
I graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Delhi University, India, and have lived in Southern California since immigrating to the USA in 1975. I am state-certified in Workers’ Compensation and worked in this field for many years.
I could not escape the fact that tea runs in my veins. Since 2012, I have been actively promoting teas from my family gardens – Khongea in Assam and Glenburn in Darjeeling – in North America since 2012, under the brand name ‘Glenburn Tea Direct’.
More recently, I have given talks at the World Tea Expo and various tea festivals on topics ranging from the tea regions of India, differences in terroir and manufacturing techniques, to the evolving Indian tea industry. I also organize tours for tea enthusiasts, bringing them to stay in her family farms in North East India. These are mainly educational in nature, covering all aspects of tea growing and manufacture, but also offering guests a wonderful insight into the culture, food and history of each region.
When not tasting teas, you’ll find me pottering around my garden, or chasing more adventurous pursuits like skiing or hiking in the local mountains.
Anshuman Prakash
I am a fourth-generation tea planter, continuing a family legacy that has been deeply intertwined with the world of tea for over a century. Growing up around tea gardens, I developed an early appreciation for the land, the seasons, and the intricate craft that goes into producing exceptional teas. I went on to study Economics and Accounting at Claremont McKenna College in the United States, and after graduating, returned to India in 1995 to join and build upon our family business.
Today, I remain actively involved in managing our family’s estates in Assam and Darjeeling, dividing my time between the fields and the factory, and working closely with our teams across all aspects of cultivation and manufacture. My experience spans both green and black tea production, and over the years I have developed a hands-on understanding of the nuances that define quality – from soil and altitude to plucking standards and processing techniques.
While the estates are central to my work, I am based in Kolkata, where our head office and trading operations are located. From here, I stay closely connected to both domestic and international markets. Over the years, we have built a strong presence in the United States, supplying teas from our estates to more than 100 tea merchants. This has been facilitated through our U.S. office, by a co-founder of the company, Shalini Agarwal, also a member of our family, whose work has helped establish both trust and long-standing relationships in this important market.
Beyond plantation life, I have always been drawn to the wider world of tea. My travels have taken me across some of the most renowned tea-growing regions globally, where I have had the opportunity to meet growers, tasters, and buyers, and to experience firsthand the diversity of terroir, tradition, and innovation that shapes the industry. These journeys have allowed me to build lasting, personal relationships with producers from around the world.
Husna-Tara Prakash
I grew up between the UK and India, studying at Welham Girls’ School in Dehradun and St Clare’s in Oxford. I went on to complete my education at the University of Cambridge, earning a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Magdalene College after a BA (Honours) in Natural Sciences, Part II Pharmacology, from New Hall College (now Murray Edwards).
In 2002, my husband Anshuman and I opened our family estate to visitors by lovingly restoring The Burra Bungalow. Within a few years, Glenburn Tea Estate & Boutique Hotel was listed in Tatler’s Guide to the Best 101 Hotels in the World, and in 2008 we added four more rooms in the Water Lily Bungalow. With a strong focus on sustainability, Glenburn is now certified 100% by the Rainforest Alliance for community engagement and wildlife protection, and was named the Most Responsible Hotel in India at the Indian Responsible Tourism Awards 2020.
My commitment to education led me to establish the Glenburn Estate Foundation in 2005. Through this, we support three government primary schools and run a scholarship programme that enables 64 children to attend local private schools. Set against a breathtaking Himalayan landscape of rolling tea fields, views of Kanchenjunga, forests, and rivers, our family has worked to create not just a perfect cup of tea, but a meaningful and immersive Indian holiday experience rooted in community and warm hospitality.
As I fell more deeply in love with Bengal, I brought the Glenburn experience to Calcutta, curating cultural, historical, and gastronomic tours that reveal the city’s rich colonial heritage. More recently, I expanded this vision beyond the city through “The Story of Bengal,” helping put this lesser-explored region firmly on the map for travellers.
In 2018, I opened a second hotel, The Glenburn Penthouse – a nice-room boutique property in the heart of historic Calcutta, with sweeping views of the Victoria Memorial, the Maidan, and the city’s iconic bridges and landmarks. Recognised in the Condé Nast Traveller’s Top 50 Restaurants in India for 2023 and 2024, it has also become one of the city’s most exceptional venues for fine dining and private events, where Chef Shaun Kenworthy crafts menus that celebrate Bengal’s culinary heritage and local ingredients. Shortly after, we introduced The Glenburn Café as a more relaxed dining space in the city.
I also conceptualised the packaging, design, and retail strategy for Glenburn Fine Tea brand, building connections for customers, shops, and cafés around the world. Today, Glenburn is globally recognised for its refined guest experience and attention to detail, cherished by both international visitors and discerning Indian guests.
I currently serve as President of the Kolkata International Women’s Club, have been a member of the CII Eastern Region Tourism Sub-Committee since 2009, and above all, I am proud to be a full-time mother.
The Glenburn Tea Experience
Discover one of India's most iconic tea journeys through the beautiful landscapes of Darjeeling and the historic Glenburn Tea Estate.
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