Tea made from mango peels is emerging as an innovative business venture in Chapainawabganj, widely known as the mango capital of Bangladesh. Three educated friends from Bholahat upazila—Mainul Islam, Md. Mithun and Masum—are producing the unconventional tea by processing discarded mango peels. They have named the product ‘Mango Peel Tea’, or ‘Mango Peel Tea’ (Mango Peel Tea).
The entrepreneurs claim that theirs is the first commercial initiative of its kind in Bangladesh to produce tea from mango peels.
Production and marketing have already begun on a small scale. According to the entrepreneurs, the product currently sells for Tk 2,000 to Tk 4,000 per kilogram, depending on quality and packaging. Its unusual concept and distinctive flavour have generated interest among local tea enthusiasts, consumers and shopkeepers.
Mainul Islam said that enormous quantities of mangoes are produced and marketed in Chapainawabganj every year during the mango season. A significant portion of the peels is discarded after the fruit is consumed or processed. The three friends began exploring ways to turn this waste into a valuable resource. They now produce tea by drying and processing the peels through several stages.
Entrepreneur Md. Mithun said the tea offers a distinctive mango flavour and aroma. The entrepreneurs also believe that the peels contain potentially beneficial nutrients. However, the product’s nutritional properties and health benefits require scientific testing and verification by the relevant authorities.
The entrepreneurs have also applied their innovative thinking to the machinery required for production. They claim to have locally developed a heating machine instead of importing one from abroad. According to them, the machine costs approximately half as much as an imported alternative and includes an automated processing facility.
Despite the potential they see in the business, the three entrepreneurs have been unable to expand production significantly because of financial constraints. They hope that access to adequate capital, modern technology and stronger market connections will enable them to distribute Mango Peel Tea across Bangladesh and eventually enter international markets.
The entrepreneurs said mango peels are generally thrown away, although proper processing can turn them into valuable products. They believe that sufficient financial and technical assistance could help increase production and create new employment opportunities.
Local consumers are also becoming increasingly curious about the unconventional tea. Some are tasting it for the first time, while others are comparing its flavour and aroma with those of conventional tea. Several local tea shop owners have also expressed interest in selling the product.
The local agriculture department sees potential in this agriculture-based initiative. Md. Sultan Ali, Bholahat Upazila Agriculture Officer, said that developing new products from discarded or underutilised agricultural materials could reduce waste while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and employment.
Md. Mominul Haque, Chapainawabganj District Agricultural Marketing Officer, also considers the initiative promising. He said that appropriate quality control, packaging, branding and market connections could help the product gain a foothold in domestic and international markets. Export opportunities could also open up a new avenue for earning foreign currency, he added.
Chapainawabganj is nationally renowned for its mangoes, and a variety of products, including pickles, mango leather and juice, are already produced from the fruit. The initiative to make tea from discarded peels has added a new dimension to the region’s mango-based industries. If the entrepreneurs’ plans succeed, mango peels could become a commercially valuable raw material.
However, Mango Peel Tea faces several challenges, including product quality and safety testing, obtaining the necessary approvals, maintaining consistent production standards and developing a strong marketing network. Whether the three friends from Chapainawabganj can overcome these obstacles and take their product beyond Bangladesh to international markets remains to be seen.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Tarek Rahman, Chapainawabganj Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
