Company Profile : Version_Dec 2022 | Click cover image above to view the full document.
Celebrate the citeazen within.
That’s what The Tea Republic is all about.
At The Tea Republic, we are not tea connoisseurs. Black, green, oolong, red or white, we simply love tea, drink lots of it and want to share this joy with you. It all started with an idea to have a space for chilling out and relaxing; a little getaway. This combined with a love for tea resulted in the creation of a platform to share a fraction of the extensive variety of teas available from tea plantations and tea houses worldwide.
Our definition of a citeazen : anyone who drinks tea.
The Tea Republic @ Bangsar Shopping Centre. 2010-2015
SEPTEMBER 2010
The Tea Republic was founded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in September 2010. The business platform which was going to be sharing tea blends from around the globe inspired its name: The Tea Republic. The tagline celebrate the citeazen within was generated from the basis that each and every one of us have a tea blend out there that we can enjoy: If you haven’t found it yet, then you have to keep trying more blends.
DECEMBER 2010
In December 2010, The Tea Republic started serving just over 30 types of tea from a little cosy corner in an upscale neighbourhood mall; Bangsar Shopping Centre. The tea lounge served teas in a western format as opposed to the ceremonious methods which are popular in Asian cultures ; Japan, China and Taiwan to name a few.
These teas were sourced from established tea labels and merchants globally. After gaining some insight into the Malaysian palette for teas, The Tea Republic launched its very own range of signature tea blends in July 2013.
SEPTEMBER 2013
The Tea Republic’s online store was launched in September 2013 allowing all citeazens worldwide to have easy access to our signature tea blends. The company ceased retail and F&B operations in September 2017 and migrated fully to e-commerce operations.
The business currently focuses on providing bespoke tea offerings and tailored experiences for the business-to-business sector whilst maintaining business-to-customer offerings via our online store.
The Tea Republic @ Bangsar Shopping Centre. 2015-2017
Signing off,
Sumita J.Singam-Takács
Founder
The Tea Republic
September 2022
P.S. We celebrated our 10th anniversary on a low-key note amidst the global pandemic in September 2020. As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, The Tea Republic embarked on a collaborative journey with Japan’s famous fictional character Hello Kitty with a limited edition tea collection. #TTRXHelloKitty
FOUNDER
Commencing her career as an interior designer, Sumita J.Singam-Takács made a business out of her favourite beverage in 2010. Sumita completed her interior architecture studies in Melbourne, Australia and developed an addiction to hot cups of tea which helped warm her cold hands in the cooler weather.
The tea aficionado had her first encounter with a fine gourmet tea in 2007 while travelling in Seoul. Besides the hefty price tag that caught her attention, the flavour was special too. Ever since, trying that gourmet rooibos blend, she sought out various gourmet tea blends and eventually decided on starting a speciality tea store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
With over ten years in the tea business, she is passionate about helping her customers discover and try new tea blends; guiding them to elevate their tea drinking experience.
When not working on the tea business, Sumita can be found trying to keep up with her two children and tasting new tea blends with her husband Jan, a fellow tea aficionado.
10th Jan 2013 – The Tea Republic’s founder, Sumita J.Singam-Takács, talks tea with Vanessa Chong on Bella, NTV7