As 2025 comes to an end, it feels right to pause and look back.
This year has been full, demanding, encouraging and deeply formative for IVA PLANTS. It was a year of showing up, learning, listening and steadily building something that feels more real with every step.
Trade shows and industry presence
In 2025 we took part in three major UK trade shows. Each of them brought different conversations, perspectives and opportunities to better understand where IVA PLANTS sits within the wider food and drink landscape.
We exhibited at Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring at SEC Glasgow in January, The Source Trade Show in Exeter in February and Speciality & Fine Food Fair at Olympia London in September. These shows helped us connect with buyers, producers and fellow founders, and continue shaping the direction of the brand.
Awards and recognition
This year also brought meaningful recognition from across the industry. IVA PLANTS was named a finalist at the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2025 as Best Local Food & Drink Producer for London, selected as a Small Business Sunday winner by Theo Paphitis and became a finalist at the West London Chambers of Commerce Business Awards 2025 in the Best New Business category. We were also shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year at the Quality Food Awards.
We also took part in Bread & Jam Fest 2025, where IVA PLANTS was selected as one of the 20 most promising brands within the Challenger Fund programme. Being recognised among emerging brands at such a respected industry event was both encouraging and affirming.
Our Sleep Well tea received a 1 Star award at the Great Taste Awards 2025 from the Guild of Fine Food, as well as a Bronze award at the Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2025.
The Great Taste judges described Sleep Well as a well-balanced and soothing infusion with natural aroma and a light, creamy mouthfeel, noting that it delivers exactly what it promises.
Business milestones
Alongside this recognition, IVA PLANTS became a registered trade mark within the European Union in 2025. This step reflects our long-term commitment to building the brand with care, clarity and future growth in mind.
Press and retail
Throughout the year, IVA PLANTS was featured in Ealing Living Autumn and Winter 2025 issues, Fine Food Catalogue Autumn/Winter 2025 and the Drinks Supplement 2025 by Fine Food Digest.
Our teas are now stocked at Refill Your Cup, the first zero-waste refill shop in Ruislip, and Enchanted Emporium of the Vale in Ash Vale, Surrey. Seeing our products on independent shop shelves continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Markets and community events
A large part of 2025 was spent meeting people face to face. Markets and events across London and the South East allowed us to talk directly with customers, hear their feedback and share the story behind our blends.
We attended events in Chelsea, Kew, Chiswick, Ruislip, Bourne End, Windsor, Egham, Cobham, Camberley, Woking, Guildford, Sunbury-on-Thames, Dorney, Farnham and East Horsley. These days were often long and tiring, but always grounding. They reminded us why small, local businesses matter and how important personal connection is.
New product launches
This year we introduced new products to the IVA PLANTS range. Our Vanilla & Cacao black tea quickly became a favourite, both online and at markets, and confirmed our belief that carefully balanced flavours resonate when they are made with intention.
We also launched our bath teas, a new direction for the brand that was warmly welcomed. Exploring products beyond drinking tea felt like a natural extension of our values around wellbeing, ritual and care.
Communities and support
Much of this year was shaped by the communities we are proud to be part of. Women in the Food Industry, West London Chambers of Commerce, Buy Women Built, Tastebuds Collective and the Guild of Fine Food have all played a role in creating a sense of belonging, shared learning and encouragement. Being surrounded by people who understand the realities of small food businesses makes a real difference.
Looking ahead
Quietly, alongside everything else, something very important began in 2025. We started growing our own tea plants. This marks the first step towards a long-term goal that matters deeply to us: creating a British tea farm Ghemu Farm where we will grow herbs for our herbal blends and tea for our black teas.
This is not a short journey. It is slow, seasonal and rooted in patience. But it is a direction we believe in.
Thank you
To everyone who supported IVA PLANTS throughout 2025, thank you. For your trust, your encouragement, your conversations and your curiosity. None of this happens in isolation, and we are grateful for every part of the community that walks this path with us.