Zest Tea, The Result Of Passion For Tea Of James Fayal

James Fayal is the founder of Zest Tea, a premium energy mix tea line that combines antioxidants, amino acids, and caffeine for a tempting twist on the world’s favorite beverage.
He earned a finance degree from the University of Maryland in 2012 and entered the Venture for America (VFA) program right after graduation.
In 2014, while working as an analyst at a startup business, James Fayal founded his brand of energy teas. Zest Tea began selling hot teas with three times the caffeine content of regular teas after a $10,000 crowdfunding campaign (on par with coffee and energy drinks). Fayal introduced a range of low-calorie, sugar-free ready-to-drink iced teas last year, which are now available in over 2,500 locations nationwide, including Whole Foods, Giant, and Shaws.

They start with premium base teas and then add a natural tea extract to elevate the caffeine content to that of coffee – around three times that of ordinary teas. The amino acids in the tea have also been demonstrated to improve cognitive performance and lessen the jitters and crashes that are frequent with caffeinated beverages.
Zest Tea sells tea bags and loose-leaf pouches, as well as sparkling iced tea, which it introduced last year. It’s also extended its retail business, selling to 7-Eleven and Safeway, among others.
Zest Tea is one of ten startups with founders, technology, and products with ties to state universities that have received funding from the Momentum Fund to date.