Eshanya Beverages, a start-up based in Mysuru, has launched Betel Leaf Tea Bags, a product developed at NITTE (Deemed to be University) DST Technology Enabling Centre. The product was researched for a year at NITTE University’s Centre for Science Education and Research, which studied the way betel leaves can be dried and cut into small pieces to release their natural taste when placed in hot water. The result is a product that retains the health benefits of betel leaf and has a mild and natural taste. The tea bags come in orange, rose petals, and lemon flavours.
Sandeep Eshanya, the founder of Eshanya Beverages, said he was fascinated with the idea of betel leaf tea after reading a research paper on it during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. He quit his job in Bengaluru and approached a few start-up incubation firms, and NITTE DST TEC agreed to support him.
The product was marketed with the help of Ramaiah Evolute, a start-up incubator of M.S. Ramaiah Institute, and Eshanya Beverages sold over 300 boxes of tea, each containing 50 bags and priced at ₹349, through an online platform. The tea bags are now available in retail stores in Mysuru.
NITTE Vice-Chancellor Sateesh Kumar Bhandary said the DST TEC at NITTE has been supporting new entrepreneurs for the past three years and has transferred technology related to three products so far, including almond milk powder. The transfer of technology related to two more products is in the pipeline, according to Iddya Karunasagar, advisor (Research and Patent) at NITTE.
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