LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Flora Mutahi is the founder of Melvin Marsh International, the Kenyan-based family business that first began in 1995. Kenya’s first flavored teas were launched under the company’s renowned brand – Melvins Teas. Today, Melvins Teas serves millions of cups of tea a year. The product base has expanded to include not only flavored teas but herbal and fruit infusions.
Melvin Marsh International is a Kenyan based family business that first began with the production of Kenya’s first free flowing salt - Melvins Flow salt, back in 1995. Soon after, Kenya’s first flavored teas was launched under the renowned brand – Melvins Teas. Before Melvins, the world of tea looked very different. Tea was tea, sometimes with milk and sugar, but often just plain. Then, in 1995, along came CEO and Founder Flora Mutahi, a tea fanatic, determined to change the world of tea in Kenya. She saw a tea market that was flat. She also wanted to change the narrative of people going on coffee dates by popularizing tea dates through the provision of tea in a variety of forms, since tea is a beverage found in many African homes. She had big dreams. She wanted to bring flavored tea to tea lovers in Kenya and beyond. She had to compete with existing brands. Many said that hers was an impossible dream, but loyal tea drinkers around the world made her dream a reality. In 1995, she launched her own brand – Melvins Teas; the first flavored teas in the Kenyan market. Melvins brought naturally flavored, rich in taste and natural goodness, beginning with Melvins Tangawizi (ginger) tea, Masala tea, Cinnamon tea, Vanilla teas, Melvins Berry Blast, Melvins Hibiscus, Melvins Chamomile, Melvins Green Tea and Mint, Melvins Green Tea and Lemon grass and Chai Afya.
“We felt that people desired exceptional flavors which could be enjoyed every day” said the founder who had a vision to build a world class company with several strong Melvins Brands. The selection from their first flavors, blending and tasting, and even early packaging, were all driven by a commitment to meet this need “ says Flora Mutahi.
Founded on a passion for the finest tea, Flora Mutahi has focused obsessively on building a world class company with several strong Melvin’s brands. The company flavors its teas with only 100% natural ingredients. The result – a range of teas that are flavorful, fun and refreshing. Over the years as the company’s reputation has grown and its reach spread, it has become equally obvious that people throughout Kenya shared this desire for a cup of tea that was much more than simply refreshment, but an enjoyable, memorable and a satisfying experience. This led to the launch of the company’s very own first Tea House – Melvins Tea House in the upmarket Lavington Mall. Today, Melvins Teas serves millions of cups of tea a year. The product base has expanded to include other lines; not only flavored teas but also herbal and fruit infusions including green, orthodox and purple tea.
Speaking about the Melvins Tea Guarantee, Flora adds:
“We flavor our teas only with 100% natural ingredients. We do not use any additives or preservatives. This guarantees that our product retains its natural freshness. Our teas are promptly packed in pouches ensuring it reaches the customers’ factory fresh.”
The Melvins Tea brand is built on a number of core values:
Passion in our creative nature and passion for excellent results.
Integrity at the heart of everything we do and building lasting relationships with our clients.
Commitment to our company. We are our own champions and we strive to create sustainable , long term relationships not just because its a smart financial practice , but because it’s the right thing to do.
Nimble with evolving technological advancements , demographic changes and increasing customer’s expectations.
Innovative with our ideas, concepts and processes essential to the continued success of the business.
Community with the people, their interactions and the relationships that we form, because above all else, people and not things are what matters the most.
Find out more about Flora Mutahi and Melvins Tea:
Website: www.melvinstea.com | Email: sales@melvinstea.com
