13 Best Tea Brands to Steep the Perfect Cuppa
Few beverages are as steeped in history and tradition as tea. Originating in ancient China, this humble drink has been sipped for centuries for both its enticing flavors and impressive health benefits. Today, tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water. And with the amazing variety now available, there‘s truly a tea for every taste.
But with thousands of brands lining store shelves, selecting a truly high-quality tea can be daunting. How do you spot the best from the rest? As a certified Tea Sommelier, I‘m here to dish on the top tea brands I turn to time and again for an exceptional cup.
These 13 best tea brands stand out for their uncompromising quality – from the tea leaves they source to the care put into crafting each blend. Whether you prefer a classic black tea, antioxidant-rich green, or a soothing herbal infusion, you‘ll discover the perfect sip on this list.
What Makes a Quality Tea Brand?
When pursing the tea aisle, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Organic Tea Leaves: Choosing organic tea is better for your health and the environment. Organic teas are grown without harmful pesticides or chemicals that can linger in your cup. They often boast better flavor too.
Ethical Sourcing: The best tea brands partner with farms that pay fair wages and support their local communities. Transparent sourcing is a sign of a quality brand.
Variety: While most brands offer the tea essentials, keep an eye out for those that get creative with their blends. Unique ingredients and flavor combinations set the stellar brands apart.
Freshness: Avoid tea bags that have been sitting on shelves for ages. Freshness has a huge impact on taste, so prioritize brands that use airtight packaging to seal in flavor and source in small batches.
Sustainability: Brands that care about their impact use eco-friendly packaging like reusable tins or compostable bags. Some even go the extra mile with initiatives to combat climate change.
Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently navigate the crowded tea market to find your new favorite brew. Now let‘s get sipping and explore the best of the best!
The 13 Best Tea Brands
1. Rishi Tea
Based In: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ethics: USDA Organic, Direct Trade
If an ethical cuppa is your top priority, look no further than Rishi Tea. This brand goes above and beyond to source the highest quality organic ingredients and uplift the lives of tea growers worldwide.
Rishi travels to the origin gardens each year to form direct relationships with farmers. Their Direct Trade program pays farmers premium prices to support their livelihoods and sustainable farming practices. You can even see photos of the very farmers who cultivated your tea on their website!
All of Rishi‘s extensive collection of teas and herbal blends are crafted in small batches at their headquarters in Milwaukee. Unique offerings include Elderberry Healer blend, Japanese Matcha Super Green, and West Cape Chai.
You can feel great about supporting this transparent, mission-driven brand with every sip. Loose leaf starts at $13 for a 1.94oz tin.
Customer Review: "Rishi has the freshest tasting tea and I love how each blend has a story behind it. You can really taste the quality and care that goes into their products." – Jenna T.
2. Art of Tea
Based In: Los Angeles, California
Ethics: USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Kosher
If you‘re looking to turn your daily cuppa into an artform, Art of Tea is your muse. This brand brings the ancient ritual of tea into the modern day with its gallery of trend-forward blends.
Founded by Steve Schwartz, a master tea blender and Ayurvedic practitioner, Art of Tea crafts exquisite organic teas and botanicals sourced from growers around the globe. With gorgeous packaging and clever names like Tali‘s Masala Chai and Bright Eyed, their teas are practically begging for a spot on your Instagram feed.
But these teas don‘t just look pretty. Art of Tea holds its products to sky high quality standards, cupping each small batch by hand. Unique offerings include a Mind + Body functional tea line, Ceremonial Matcha, and even tea-infused chocolate.
Sip your way through their whimsical collection with prices starting at $9 for 15 tea sachets.
Customer Review: "I stumbled upon Art of Tea during a trip to LA and fell in love! It‘s obvious that they put a huge amount of passion and skill into their creations. My pantry is now a veritable art gallery of their tins!" – Monique G.
3. Harney & Sons
Based In: Millerton, New York
Ethics: USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Kosher
For over 30 years, family-owned Harney & Sons has been a go-to for serious tea aficionados worldwide. Their reputation for quality is unmatched, earning them places on the menus of prestigious restaurants and hotels.
Harney & Sons‘ dedication to their craft is apparent in every detail – from the sleek yet classic packaging to the whole leaf teas inside. While they offer over 300 varieties, they‘re best known for their takes on traditional blends such as English Breakfast, Earl Grey, and Darjeeling.
But they don‘t shy away from innovation either with offerings like Chocolate Chai, African Autumn, and Bamboo Herbal blends. You‘ll also find probiotic teas, iced teas, and a wellness line.
Prices start at an accessible $8.99 for a 20 count tea sachet tin.
Customer Review: "I had the privilege of visiting the Harney & Sons tasting room in Soho and it forever changed my standards for tea. This is THE brand I recommend to family and friends seeking an elevated cup." – Michael R.
4. The Republic of Tea
Based in: Larkspur, California
Ethics: USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Kosher, Halal
The Republic of Tea is truly a tea democracy. With over 300 varieties categorized by benefits, there‘s a sip to suit every citizen‘s needs and preferences. Founded in 1992, this prolific brand is all about making the benefits of tea accessible to the masses.
The Republic of Tea‘s blends cater to every imaginable wellness goal and palate. From Be Active Teas for before a workout to Beauty Teas for glowing skin to HiCaf Teas for an extra energy boost, they have your every mood in mind.
All of their teas are crafted with sustainability at heart. The brand uses unbleached tea bags, biodegradable labels, and partners with ethical farms. They even have a USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified collection.
With most of their 50 count tea bag tins clocking in at under $12, The Republic of Tea offers unbeatable everyday value.
Customer Review: "I‘ve been a loyal citizen of The Republic of Tea for years! No matter what tea mood I‘m in, I know they‘ll have the perfect blend. I love knowing every cup I brew is supporting sustainable practices too." – Jaime M.
5. Smith Teamaker
Based In: Portland, Oregon
Ethics: USDA Organic, Fair Trade
If "small batch" and "handcrafted" are your tea buzz words, it‘s time you‘re introduced to Smith Teamaker. Every element of this brand‘s ultra-curated collection is crafted with the utmost intention.
The late founder Steven Smith was one of the pioneers of the American maker tea movement. Today, Smith Teamaker continues his legacy by sourcing exceptional teas and herbs from around the world to blend in their Portland headquarters. Each ingredient is either grown in the wild or on farms using regenerative practices.
With an artist‘s attention to detail, they blend unique offerings like Rose City Genmaicha, Bungalow Darjeeling, and Meadow herbal infusion. Even the most discerning palates will appreciate the layered flavors in each cup.
A box of 15 premium tea bags starts at $14.99.
Customer Review: "When I open a box of Smith Tea, I know I‘m in for a special experience. The quality is unparalleled and I love reading the stories behind each blend." – Aubrey S.
From organic tea pioneers to modern upstarts, these 13 best tea brands are sure to satisfy your every sipping need. The only challenge will be deciding which one to steep next!
While each brand brings something unique, they all share a dedication to quality, sustainability, and crafting teas that comfort and inspire. Whether you spring for a tin of classic loose leaf or a colorful box of wellness blends, you can feel great about supporting these top notch tea makers.
The wide world of tea offers an endless journey of discovery. My best advice? Sample widely, sip mindfully, and enjoy the adventure of finding your ideal cup. Cheers!
