Ni Made Roni grew up in a Balinese family with a rich agricultural history, where she learned farming from a very young age. Born and raised in Ubud, she developed a passion for protecting nature very early on.
Contrary to Balinese traditions, Made Roni made the bold decision to leave the family home before marriage. She even bought her own house, which was very unusual in her culture. When she announced this to her family, her father asked her if she was crazy, but she persevered.
She lived in Dublin for a decade where she worked in hospitality. It was at a Sunday market in Dublin that she discovered the vast world of teas from around the world. In July 2015, she traveled to Mumbai, India, to learn how to make chai tea, and it was at that moment that she decided to dedicate her life to tea.
The Creation and Evolution of Made Tea
Made Tea was founded in 2015 by Ni Made Roni, affectionately called Ibu Made. The name "Made" has a dual meaning: in Balinese culture, it represents the second child, and in English, it evokes creation and craftsmanship.
In the beginning, it wasn't easy. Made Roni sold her teas at the Gianyar night market before opening her own shop. The company quickly evolved from a home industry in Gianyar to a factory in Peliatan.
Women's Empowerment and Sustainability
Made Tea employs local housewives for production and packaging, with flexible full-time or part-time schedules that respect their role in the community and their family. The company has an entirely female team.
In collaboration with the PUM organization, Roni developed training methods to involve women from her community in a more professional and sustainable way. Thanks to a grant from the Hans Blankert Fund, she was able to purchase new machines to increase productivity and extend the shelf life of her products.
Sustainability is at the heart of Made Tea's operations, guided by the ancient Balinese wisdom of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony between humans, nature, and the spiritual world.
Agricultural Practices
Made Tea uses only natural fertilizers and organic pesticides. They even have three cows that live peacefully next to the garden, and their manure is used as fertilizer. The food waste produced also serves as a source of nutrition for the plants.
Made Tea now supports eight local banjars (village communities) in Bali to grow the raw materials, paying them fairly to support the local economy.
International Success
Made Tea now sells internationally, notably to a chain of stores in England and the United States, and its teas have won awards in France. The company offers more than 25 unique tea varieties.
Made Tea is a member of PASTI COLLECTIVE, a cooperative that promotes Indonesian heritage food artisans.
The Made Tea Experience Today
Made Tea offers tea-making workshops in an open thatched-roof structure with a breathtaking view of Ubud's lush jungle. Visitors can tour Roni's secret garden, learn about the healing powers of herbs, create their own blend, and enjoy traditional Balinese snacks and sweets.
The company also has a café-restaurant with a perfect view of Gunung Agung, serving local specialties.