THE BEGINNING: A VISION BORN FROM CHANGE

For many, the year 2021 was a time of reflection and change. I was working in a corporate job, but deep down, I felt a strong pull to do something more meaningful. I wanted to build a business that not only helped people live better and healthier lives but also created a positive impact on the world. My dream was to connect people with high-quality, natural products while supporting the talented small-sized farms back in my home country, Thailand.

This vision became my goal. I knew I wanted to do something that felt right, something that could make a genuine difference.

THE PROBLEM: A WORLD IN NEED OF WELLNESS

As I started to observe the world around me, particularly in the US market, I saw a clear need. Many people—friends, family, and colleagues—were feeling stressed, depressed, burnt out, and grappling with various health issues. Their lives were fast-paced, and they desperately needed simple ways to improve their well-being.

I realized that the products I created had to be something they could easily incorporate into their daily routines. They had to be natural, high-quality, and, most importantly, they had to be truly good for their health and mind.

I began to look at my own habits. I loved to drink a variety of beverages throughout the day, but I found myself running into the same problems: Juice was often too high in sugar. Coffee was great for a few hours but always left me feeling a dreaded crash. Water, while essential, felt a bit too plain at times. I loved tea, but when I wanted a truly delicious brew without caffeine, my options were limited. This was a lightbulb moment. I saw a huge opportunity to create a beverage that was not only healthy but also completely caffeine-free.

THE IDEA: A BLOOMING VISION

As I dug into the tea industry, I was excited to see it was growing worldwide. Yet, I noticed a huge gap: there were very few delicious, caffeine-free teas available online or in grocery stores. I was inspired by the beauty of "blooming teas" I saw on the market, but most of them contained caffeine.

This gave me an idea: What if I could create a whole flower tea that was not only naturally caffeine-free but also bloomed beautifully in the cup? The visual experience of a flower unfurling in hot water would be a perfect way to invite people to slow down, reconnect with nature, and find a moment of calm. This concept felt so right—a beautiful, calming tea experience that could bring a touch of mindfulness to a busy day.

THE JOURNEY: FROM A DREAM TO REALITY

The path to creating Mala Tara was a long and dedicated one. It took me almost a year of extensive research to find the right flowers for tea, ensuring they were not only safe but also had the unique flavors and health benefits I was looking for.

My next mission was to find the right partners. I wanted to work exclusively with high-quality, organic small farms in Thailand. This was a non-negotiable part of my business philosophy. I needed to ensure that our products were of the highest standard while also making a positive impact on local agricultural communities. This journey involved countless hours of searching and testing different teas until I found the perfect whole flowers to bring my vision to life.

THE NAME: A MEMORY AND A MISSION

During this long journey, a beautiful childhood memory kept replaying in my mind: seeing flowers gracefully flowing on a stream in front of my parents' summer house. That moment was so beautiful and calming, and I knew I wanted to convey that same feeling to my audience.

This memory inspired the name of my business. I remembered "Mala" from Sanskrit, a word that influences many Thai words and means "garland" or "flower." It sounded beautiful and feminine. And "Tara," which means "stream" in many languages, perfectly captured that calm, flowing feeling from my memory. I combined the words to create "Mala Tara"—a name that is feminine, natural, and calming, reflecting the true essence of this business.

When it came to our core values, the answer was always clear. I believe in sustainability, where people and nature live in harmony. I believe people deserve access to high-quality, organic food for long-term health. And I believe that every product we create must be of the highest standard. These beliefs are the foundation of everything we do.

My final step was finding a partner in Thailand who shared my passion and could help me run and grow the business. As fate would have it, my life partner introduced me to his good friend, Pui, who was also looking to start her own business. After a few conversations, I knew she was the perfect person to join me on this exciting journey.

And that’s how Mala Tara came to be. It’s more than just a business; it’s a mission to bring a little bit of nature's purity, a moment of calm, and a lot of positive impact, to every single cup.

About the AuthorThis article was written by Eve – Neeranuch Thantongdhamm, Co-founder and Visual Direction & Brand Experience Director at Mala Tara.

Want to know more about our journey?
Meet the people behind the bloom on our Meet the Founders page.