Favorite and Least Favorite Tea Companies
My favorite company is a shop called Premium Steap in Philadelphia. I credit them for helping me discover truly great tea 15 years ago. They have solid staples, and often get in special teas. They are very knowledgeable and helpful. The quality is always outstanding, and their pricing is very reasonable.
Luckily, I’ve never had a bad experience at any shops or online stores, so I have no least favorite.
Must recommend Yunomi for direct-source Japanese teas. They are my new favorite Japanese green source. Similar to Verdant, but in Japan.
I can’t think of any bad tea company if we’re only talking about tea. And even tea companies which might not carry tea I would buy might still be good to order tea ware and accessories.
my favorites (no order)
Yunnan Sourcing
White2tea
Crimson Lotus tea
Joseph Wesley
Whispering Pines
Chawangshop
Pu-erh.sk
Tao Tea Leaf (amazing yancha)
Eco Cha
Taiwan Sourcing
Taiwan Tea crafts
All of them carry nice quality teas and awesome customer service.
And if you need a list of places i buy my teaware i’ll be happy to share too ;)
Ever since Beautiful Taiwan Tea did that Kickstarter to travel the eastern world, their teas have been 100 so hands down I’m giving them $$$ all year.
Yunomi is literally the most direct way for Japanese tea of all kinds. They see a lot of my $$$ every year. Let’s not forget, I’ve had a package to from Japan to Ohio in 48 hours …
Yunnan Sourcing, no justification needed.
Liquid Proust Teas does some pretty awesome group buys which provide coverage of crazy teas and different vendors.
CLT and W2T both are highly responsive and wonderful people in the way they handle tea as a lifestyle and a business.
I bought from over 60 vendors last year and at that many it takes a lot for one to stand out. As Cwyn said… I think most all companies that are great are still around; as we all say come back Butiki, come back M&Ks!
P.S. I am only afflicted with Liquid Proust Teas. Everyone else treats me the same as they would treat you if you sent an email; unless it’s a donation for 50 people that I distribute.
LP, I don’t think your Etsy business is an affliction! It’s always a delight to see the new teas, order and often get a surprise (roasted tea!) in the parcel. Of course, since I’m not a business owner, maybe it is an affliction…
My newest favorite is Soleiltea. I am drinking their Casablanca right not! I just received their Red Peony, Black Peony and they threw in some samples. great customer service!
Some tea shops I think are awesome (products and customer service wise.. I’ve ordered multiple times):
svtea.com
bluebirdteaco.com
teavivre.com
zentealife.com
aquartertotea.com
Simpson & Vail definitely needs more love from Steepster. About 97% of the teas I try from them are so delicious. Amazing selection of teas and prices an the best customer service.
I KNOW there are a ton of tea shops I can’t include on the great list because I haven’t ordered from them yet (ie: Liquid Proust Teas, Mandala, Whispering Pines, Yunnan Sourcing)
I wouldn’t say there are tea shops I dislike except for Teavana.
I’ve been reviewing some teas from an Indonesian producer lately, and I guess in a different sense they are now a favorite tea company (Toba Wangi). Of course no one is mentioning plantations here, it’s about resale shops, essentially limited to the US. But there is nothing to stop someone from contacting a grower, if they have a website, and they would sell the tea, and they are still a “tea company,” strictly speaking.
Consistant likes:
Davids Tea
Teavana
Fusion teas
New likes:
Lupicia
A Quarter to Tea
Least favorite:
Republic of Tea-The majority of tea I’ve tried from them I don’t care for, though not opposed to keep trying.
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