Comptoir BantuDesi Wins Three International Medals in Paris — A Tribute to Heritage, Women Farmers, and the Future of Tea
Comptoir BantuDesi Wins Three International Medals in Paris — A Tribute to Heritage, Women Farmers, and the Future of Tea
At the Embassy of Peru in Paris, Comptoir BantuDesi stepped into the international spotlight with a distinction that marks a defining moment for our young brand: three (3) medals — two Gold and one Silver — at the prestigious AVPA ‘Teas of the World’ International Awards.
This year’s competition brought together 303 contestants from 18 countries, each crafted with its own heritage, terroir, and tradition. To be honoured in such a field is already meaningful; to be awarded two Gold Medals and one Silver is a recognition of excellence that reaches far beyond the ceremony.
The AVPA — Agency for the Valuation of Agricultural Products — is renowned for its rigorous and uncompromising evaluation process. Unlike commercial competitions, AVPA assesses each tea according to its authenticity, origin, and sensory identity. The jury is composed of expert chefs, sommeliers, agricultural specialists, and seasoned tea tasters, whose collective expertise shapes one of the most respected recognitions in the industry.
For our teas to be selected by such a panel is an honour we do not take lightly.
Our Power BulukuTea from Bakongo received a Gold Medal for its depth and ancestral character — a tea shaped by the knowledge of women whose traditions run centuries deep. Our Hibiscus Dream Tea from Senegal was also awarded Gold, celebrated for its clarity, vibrancy, and purity. And our Rooibos Ritual from South Africa earned a Silver Medal, a tribute to the land, lineage, and craftsmanship embedded in every leaf.
When our name was called, I felt an unexpected stillness. My thoughts went not to the room in Paris, but to my great-grandmother’s grandmother — a tea farmer whose story has shaped my own. This win is a reminder that our work is not simply about producing tea; it is about carrying forward a legacy. And it is also a reminder of something I learned long ago:
"To whom much is given, much is expected."
Comptoir BantuDesi Teas was born from a desire to honour women farmers in Africa and India. Our mission has always been to move beyond the idea of fair trade into something deeper: empowered trade, where women are partners, not suppliers; where pricing is dignified; and where heritage is celebrated rather than hidden. These medals validate that approach — and confirm that excellence follows when integrity leads.
To celebrate this international recognition and to thank those who have walked this journey with us, we are offering a 20% reduction on all teas with the code BANTUDESIFRIENDS. It is our way of extending the joy and gratitude of this moment to our entire community.
As we look ahead, Paris is not a destination but a beginning. These awards affirm what we already knew: that the world is ready to embrace teas rooted in authenticity, lineage, and the hands of women whose work has too often gone unseen.
Explore our award-winning collection at bantudesi.com — and join us as we continue to brew a future shaped by heritage, excellence, and empowered communities.
