WHO'S WHO IN THE Association

Alexis Kaae is a visionary entrepreneur, tea judge, tutor, and connoisseur dedicated to advancing the world of speciality tea. She combines a deep respect for tradition with a forward-looking approach, creating meaningful tea experiences that engage the senses and inspire both professionals and enthusiasts. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to quality, education, and the continued elevation of tea culture.

Alongside her entrepreneurial activities, Alexis has played a significant role in international tea leadership, serving as Vice President of ESTA since 2019. She currently serves as Vice President for Asia, collaborating closely with partners across the region, particularly in China, to strengthen cooperation and deepen connections between Asian and European tea communities. A key focus of her work is to advance ESTA’s strategic position and ensure that the organisation becomes synonymous with speciality tea and is recognised as a leading global reference.

In 2006, Alexis founded Simply Tea, a company dedicated to sourcing and importing high-quality teas from sustainable, high-elevation gardens around the world. She also works closely with European tea growers, supporting the development of tea cultivation within emerging terroirs. In addition, she co-founded the Danish Tea Association, contributing to the growth and professionalisation of the tea community in Denmark.

She is also the owner of Molbo Tea Garden and Tea Retreat, located in Mols National Park, where she has created a unique space for learning, reflection, and immersion in tea culture.

As an educator, Alexis shares her extensive knowledge of tea, cultivation, processing, and sensory evaluation with students and industry professionals. Her work as a tea judge, speaker, and importer reflects her expertise and refined sensory skills, establishing her as a respected authority within the global tea community.

For me, "TEA is Path" is more than a professional motto; it is the trajectory of my career, bridging  rigorous botanical science with the immersive aesthetics of speciality tea.

This path began with my six-year parttime volunteer at the TAI Herbarium (National Taiwan University). Those   scientific training taught me to observe tea through the lens of plant taxonomy and ecological balance. I bring this rigorous, science-based discipline to the world of speciality tea, transforming it from a simple beverage into a profound cultural experience.

As the owner of Alishan high-mountain tea gardens and three distinct tea brands, I practice the "Way of Subtraction"—prioritizing biodiversity and ecological integrity over mass production. My deep, practical understanding of the challenges facing producers today allows me to advocate for sustainable agricultural practices and fair-trade models aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With a multi-disciplinary background spanning pharmaceuticals, international trade, and botany, my vision for ESTA is to cultivate a more inclusive, science-based, and strategically positioned market in Europe and beyond. I am honored to bring my expertise in vertical integration—from root to cup—to help lead ESTA toward global harmony and excellence.

Kurush Bharucha (former 'Global Tea Expertise Director, Unilever/Lipton') has spent 40 years of his professional life in Tea, with Unilever/Lipton. He is a specialist tea taster and judge, buyer and blender, trainer and educator, product innovator and developer, sommelier and storyteller - an untiring 'Tevangelist' of our Industry.   

He started his career in 1985 in India, working in all 6 of its Tea auction centres. Often tasting 1000 cups of tea EACH DAY (!), he recalls his mentor's advice - 'Practice makes perfect, so perfect your practice !').  After 20 years in India (in Buying, Blending, Factory roles), Unilever moved him overseas - 8 years in Dubai and 12 in the UK.  This widened his skill-set - going beyond Supply Chain and into R&D, driving blend design across brands like PG Tips, Pukka, Tazo & T2.   As Unilever's 'Chief Tea Quality Custodian', he always 'aspired to inspire' - generously sharing his multi-origin knowledge, instilling belief, and helping strengthen the Company's Tea Culture.  In his last role at Lipton, he oversaw the specialist Tea 'cupping' capability, calibration and certification of a global team of 80 tasters ! 

Kurush is now back home in Mumbai where he has started his own Consultancy - 'BharuCHA Global Tea Advisory LLP')

As Judge - At Speciality Tea Quality Competitions eg 'The Leafies' and 'The Great Taste Awards' in London ; AVPA in Paris ; 'TGLIA' in India        

As Tutor - As a UK Tea Academy/UKTA 'Expert', he teaches 2 specialist online modules - 'Teas of India' & 'Teas of Africa')

As Speaker - Presents at Global Tea Forums (egs WTE Las Vegas, IITC Kochi, Brussels Tea Festival, Dubai Global Tea Forum, CII India Tea Forum)   

Kurush is extensively travelled from Bush-to-Brand, and is a lifelong Tea advocate.  

I am a co-founder of the European Speciality Tea Association and have served as a Board Director and President since 2016.  I am truly proud of ESTA’s growth and rapid development into an influential part of the international tea scene, whilst retaining its appeal to broad-based lovers of high-quality teas. 

As a founder-director I believe my re-election provides some essential continuity for the governance of ESTA and that, with my 43 years’ practical working experience in the tea industry, I am well placed to guide and encourage our future growth.

Nishchal Banskota is a 2nd generation tea producer and the founder of Nepal Tea Collective which directly brings certified organic teas from Nepal to the American market. His vision is to create a tech-enabled transparent tea trade that bridges the gap between the primary producers and consumers. He serves on the Board of Directors of the European Specialty Tea Association (ESTA). His innovative work has been featured in major publications the New York Times and Forbes and he has been a regular speaker at various tea festivals. He is a young leader for the European Union Development Days, a Global Good Fund fellow and an active advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Oscar is a co-founder of SUKI TEA and has spent 21 years working in tea, including 16 years training baristas. Along the way, he has gained qualifications from international tea organisations and has served on the board of the European Speciality Tea Association for the past five years. Regular trips to tea origins have helped shape his knowledge of tea types, terroir, and sourcing. As a tea blender and taster, he plays a key role in developing SUKI’s exciting blends, and with a background in marketing and design, he also brings a strong creative eye to how those teas are shared with the world.

I have spent my life among tea trees older than memory — trees that have weathered dynasties, mist, and silence. This is not a background I carry lightly. It is the foundation from which I hope to contribute something meaningful to the European Special Tea Association. Europe has built remarkable structures around tea — distribution, education, community. What I can offer is depth of origin. Not theory, but lived knowledge: of harvest cycles, of regional terroir, of the relationship between producer and leaf that no textbook can fully translate.

My aspiration, as a board member, is to be a genuine bridge. To bring the perspective of the producer into rooms where decisions are made — so that European standards, sourcing conversations, and quality frameworks are shaped with a fuller understanding of where tea actually comes from.  I believe this association grows stronger when those at the table have walked the gardens, not only visited them. I am committed to the Association's growth, its independence, and its responsibility toward both its members and the broader tea world. It is an honour to serve, and I look forward to contributing with diligence and purpose.