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We stand for Tea
We enjoy and appreciate the diversity of the global tea cups. We embrace new tastes, aromas, and sensory experiences when developing solutions that transgress conventional limits, and strive to make it truly great.
Suntips is the own brand of Saraf Trading Corporation Pvt. Ltd., a company with over 7 decades of experience in the tea trade and is amongst the most respected names in the Indian Tea industry. We cater to Black Teas, Green Teas, Flavoured Teas & Infusions, Herbal infusions and Fruit infusions in both conventional and organic form.
Our facility comprises 45000 sq. ft storage & 25000 sq. ft of packing area and is located in the port city of Tuticorin in the south of India. We have an array of Tea bag machines which pack string & tag tea bags in Crimped and Heat-sealed formats. This apart we also pack Pyramid bag, Pot bags (in both round and square shape) and other retail consumer packs. We also specialize in packing high-end gift packs and other innovative packings.
We are IFS, BRC, ORGANIC, SA800, FAIRTRADE, RAIN FOREST ALLIANCE, UTZ & HALAL certified and our primary markets are the European Union, USA and UK, where we pack private labels of large supermarkets. Heretofore, we deal around the globe as private labelling and three countries as Suntips brand.
To trace the origins of this journey we must track back to 1948. Integrity, honesty and an understanding of the consumers’ needs were the only assets that the late founder of M/s. Saraf Trading Corporation Pvt. Ltd., Shri. Vitalrao G Saraf possessed when he started Saraf tea in 1948. He started by selling tea on a bicycle and ended up creating one of the most respected names in the tea industry in India. Today the group in its 3rd generation runs one of the finest tea bagging facilities in the country and delivers to the palate not just fine tea blends but also fruit and herbal infusions.
Though the list of accolades has grown long over the decades, the enthusiasm to learn the craft of making the perfect blend remains unchanged in its 8th decade. Passion and dedication markeach cup with a healthy refreshment, do try!
The Starting Point
Our story begins in the Willingdon Island, the largest man-maid island near to port town of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. Founder Shri. Vithalrao G Saraf, started by selling tea on a bicycle and ended up creating one of the most respected names in the tea industry in India.
Entry to Soviet Union
Saraf tea entered the export market in 1956 and soon went on to become the largest exporter of bulk tea to the erstwhile Soviet Union from the South of India.
Entry in Egypt
Saraf tea entered the Egypt export market in 1959 and the largest exporter of bulk tea to the country.
Entry to W. Europe
The largest European tea markets are located in Northern and Western Europe. Saraf Tea became global and started the global sales in Western Europe.
Packing Facility
Commissioning of Saraf’s first full-fledged 45000 sq ft packing facility in Tuticorin, another port town of Indian state Tamil Nadu
Sales to Germany
Saraf Tea steps another step to the global tea market, started our sales to Germany.
BRC Certified
British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards specify what is required by
organisations as well as help provide assurance to customers that products are safe,
legal and of high quality.
Fair Trade Certified
A fair trade certification is a product certification within the market-based movement fair trade. Saraf Tea became fair trade certified on 2010
Organic, IFS certified
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and
other organic products.And ensures our teas are free from synthetic pesticides,
bioengineered genes (GMOs).
International Featured Standard (IFS) Food is a GFSI-recognised standard for certifying
the safety and quality of food products and production processes.
Saraf Tea has been Organic and IFS certified since 2013.
Own Brand
The great news is in 2014, that Saraf tea create our own brand.
Everyone has their own dreams, over 6 decades of experience in tea industry, Saraf tea
had seen a dream about our own brand. Yes, in 2014 that dream came true, it's
SUNTIPS! The happiest thing that we have today is to be the owner of a successful
brand.
SA8000 is a certification standard that encourages organizations to develop, maintain,
and apply socially acceptable practices in the workplace. Saraf Tea has been certified the
SA8000 since 2014
Halal certified
Halal certification is a process which ensures the feature and quality of the products according to the rules established by the Islamic Council that allow the use of the mark Halal. Saraf tea uses the mark from 2015 onwards.
After the successful launching of international premium brand Suntips, Saraf tea
think about an economical brand for domestic market. In 2017 Saraf Tea launch a new
brand “Coin Tea” for its India operations.
UTZ certification shows consumers that products have been sourced, from farm to shop
shelf, in a sustainable manner. Which offers better farming methods, working conditions
and care for nature. This in turn leads to better production, a better environment and a
better life for everyone.
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods
by transforming land-use practices, business practices, and consumer behaviour.
Saraf Tea has been certified UTZ and Rainforest Alliance since 2017.
Launching two new series of products that Herbal infusions and Sweet fusions for Suntips.
"By consistently delivering the most unique exciting health and refreshment drinks, we will be the partner of choice to tea drinker's in worldwide."
We stand for Tea
We enjoy and appreciate the diversity of the global tea cups. We embrace new tastes, aromas, and sensory experiences when developing solutions that transgress conventional limits, and strive to make it truly great.
What we Do, what we say
We are a team of doers. We face the unknown with collective decision making but always keeping the customer in mind. Because customer is our asset. We take pride in doing what we say we will do.
We pursue excellence
We create and provide the tea that offer superior value to our customers. We commit to exceptional quality with a minimal possible lead time and outstanding customer support for all customer requirements that we service
The V G Saraf Memorial Hospital was inaugurated in 1999 in memory of the founder of Saraf tea, Shri Vithalrao G Saraf. A multi-specialty 200 bed facility aimed at providing affordable healthcare to the populace of Kochi city, it is run with the same personal touch and eye for detail as is the Tea & Herbs business. Be it the monthly charitable lunches or just service with integrity, for Saraf, the hospital has become the vehicle for giving back to society. To know more visit: www.sarafhospital.in
