From RM1 Tea To Halal Masala Tea In A Can

By V. Sankara

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- What began as a RM1 tea venture by a Multimedia University (MMU) student has brewed into a Malaysian innovation — the world’s first halal sterilised masala tea in a can.

Leafhaus founder Gisnervern Arikrishnan, 31, never imagined that his humble initiative to fund his studies would one day redefine how Malaysians enjoy their favourite spiced beverage.

Gisnervern began his tea-selling journey shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, by offering masala tea at RM1 per cup to students at MMU.

It started as a simple effort to support his education and evolved into a two-year research and development journey that led to the launch of the halal sterilised masala tea in August 2025.

“After I started selling hot tea to students at my university, I soon realised people preferred cold drinks due to our hot weather. So I added ice cubes, and that’s how the idea of canned masala tea was born,” he told Bernama in an interview recently.

Now a Master of Business Administration (MBA) student at MMU Cyberjaya, Gisnervern earned his Bachelor’s degree in finance from the same university. 

“Masala and milk don’t blend easily, especially through canning. Getting the right formula took patience, trial and many sleepless nights,” he said, recalling his two-year journey to perfect the recipe.

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During the research and development phase, Gisnervern tested 16 different drink formulations before finalising the Leafhaus lineup, which includes Masala Tea in a Can and Turmeric Milk in a Can. Each variation was designed to balance flavour, health and shelf life while preserving Malaysia’s rich beverage heritage.

Produced entirely in Malaysia, the beverages combine traditional masala spices with sterilised milk. Each 248ml can, priced at RM5, contains 7.4 grammes of sugar per 100ml and only 49 calories. Gisnervern said he once weighed 138kg before shedding 62kg in six months through natural fitness routines — a transformation that continues to inspire his health-conscious product line.

For Gisnervern, the halal certification represents more than a business milestone.

“The halal status allows me to share this drink with everyone, regardless of race or religion,” he said. “The process was tough, but it gave me confidence that our product meets international standards.”

The brand’s popularity quickly surged, with over 3,000 cans sold in two weeks through TikTok Shop and the MMU campus, all without influencer marketing.

A buyer in the United Kingdom who sampled the drink opened a new chapter for Leafhaus after ordering four cartons (each carton has 24 cans) and retailing them at a British convenience store. Two containers are now being prepared for export to Europe, with expansion plans into the Middle East and Canada next year.

Gisnervern’s next innovation is a matcha-based masala tea, which is already in the pipeline. He is also in talks with AirAsia to feature Leafhaus beverages on its flights. 

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Born and raised in Labu, Negri Sembilan, Gisnervern credits his parents, especially his mother, for instilling in him discipline, humility and faith.

He is now exploring collaboration with the BananaBro restaurant chain to bring halal masala tea and turmeric milk to Malaysian diners nationwide.

In a gesture of giving back, Gisnervern plans to pass down his original MMU tea stall to another student in financial need — he would personally set up the booth, supply the first batch of Leafhaus products, and allow the student to keep the profits to fund his or her studies.

“It’s not just a business. It’s a mission to inspire young Malaysians to dream big, start small and stay clean in business,” he said.

As he targets sales of 10,000 cartons by year-end, Gisnervern’s journey from campus to commercial success proves that innovation does not always start in a laboratory; sometimes, it begins with a single cup of tea.

-- BERNAMA