Kothari Tea Centre

Kothari Tea Centre is tucked away at Kali Bawri 8. It’s a bit of an old building and the walls have that aged look to them. We deal in all kinds of tea, mostly bulk leaves that we get from various places. When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the heavy scent of dry tea leaves. It’s a very specific smell that stays on your clothes. We have bags and chests of tea stacked up in the back room. Some people come in to buy just a small pouch for their home, while others are looking for larger amounts for their own businesses. We spend a lot of time weighing things out on the scales. It is a quiet kind of work compared to the busy markets nearby. We don't have a lot of staff, just a couple of us who know the different grades of tea by sight and feel. Sometimes we make a pot for ourselves and sit near the door to catch a breeze. The street outside is narrow, so it’s mostly foot traffic and the occasional bike. We’ve been in Kali Bawri for a long time and we know the rhythms of the street. It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s steady and we like the people we meet. It’s just about providing decent tea to anyone who needs it. We keep our records in a big ledger book by hand.