The Best Shops to Buy Luxury Gourmet Tea This Year

We’ve written a lot about where to buy and how to brew a truly outstanding cup of coffee. But how about the tea drinkers among us? Our ace correspondent Jillian Tangen has curated a list of the best shops to buy artisanal luxury gourmet tea brands, whether you’re looking for loose tea leaves or bags, and whether you’re shopping online or at retail. Any of these would be wonderful gifts for a tea lover in your life – and of course you should also purchase a tin or two for yourself!

History of Gourmet Teas

Many of us associate tea with the quintessential British afternoon event filled with scones, clotted cream and cucumber sandwiches. 

But tea drinking is much more than just fancy teapots and raised pinkies.  It’s a centuries old practice with a rich global history that is steeped in tradition.

In China, where it is believed that tea was discovered, tea plays a significant role in both engagements and weddings.  Because tea trees cannot be transplanted, tea came to symbolize loyalty, love and the expectation of a happily married life.

Likewise in Japan, tea is more than just a hot drink. The tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony dates back to the 9th century. It was brought to Japan by a Buddhist monk.  It represents purity, tranquillity, respect and harmony.

When tea was first brought to Britain in the early 17th century by the East India Company, it was very expensive and reserved for royalty.  In fact, Catherine of Braganza, wife of Charles II introduced tea drinking to court, creating the tradition of afternoon tea.   Eventually, tea drinking spread throughout the country and into the UK’s vast network of colonies.

Perhaps you might recall a little tea party in Boston?  Despite the revolution, the United State’s love of tea endured, eventually culminating in the creation of southern sweet tea during Prohibition.  That’s right, refreshingly cold sweet tea is the original mocktail and it’s still enjoyed daily throughout the south.  As are the other aforementioned teas and tea traditions.

Why are we telling you all this, dear reader?  With such a robust history, it seems rather unfair to settle for any old tea when you find yourself longing for a cuppa.  Under normal circumstances we would suggest a visit to one of the grand tea rooms like those at the Shangri-La Paris, New York’s Russian Tea Room, Claridge’s in London or Japan’s Sengan-en to experience the vast flavors and cultures of tea drinking.

Luxury Gourmet Teas

But given that traveling the world right now is difficult at best, we thought it would be fun to investigate where you can go to elevate your next cup of tea at home.  And our research did not disappoint.  Around the world tea shops are offering a wide range of rich styles and origins that you can easily brew yourself, and that are more than worthy of this ancient art form.

Whether you’re seeking loose leafs or tea bags, fruit blend, herbal infusion or a traditional green variety, it’s time for us to spill the tea on the 12 best shops where you can find your next perfect cup.

The best shops to buy luxury gourmet tea this year

1. bellocq tea atelier

Founded by Martha Stewart Living alums Heidi Johannsen Stewart and Michael Shannon and interior designer Scott Stewart, Bellocq offers full-leaf teas and handcrafted blends out of its Brooklyn design and tasting studio, with a focus on intriguing small-batch blends with quirky names like National Parks Dept ($18) and Little Dickens ($18) (created especially for children).

2. mariage freres

With one of the most elaborate selections in the world, the prestigious Parisian emporium Mariage Freres showcases more than 600 aromatic varieties – all innovative and unparalleled in quality.  Among its most popular picks is the shop’s signature Marco Polo blend (10€).

3. yumchaa

Driven by the desire to “create tea (chaa) that tastes yum,” London-based purveyor and tea salon Yumchaa sticks firmly to the no-bag policy and only curates quality, loose leaf varieties. The salon’s specialty handcrafted blends incorporate old world romance with new world flavors, such as the zesty Chai Red ($8), aromatic Raspberry Vanilla ($8) or spicy Chilli Chilli Bang Bang ($8).

4. song tea & ceramics

For those who appreciate the vessels that contribute to the tea-making process as much as the actual tea leaves, Song Tea & Ceramics is a place to indulge in both. You will find everything from Old Grove Jasmine ($42) to Gold Peony ($18) alongside handcrafted teapots, bowls and cups.

5. t’zonnetje

‘t Zonnetje has been selling tea, coffee and spices to the people of Amsterdam since 1642. Showcasing antique wares and an extensive tea selection, this charming shop features an upstairs salon. It serves accompaniments like Jodenkoeken (a traditional Dutch shortbread) and English marmalade.

6. twg

Regarded as an international tea institution, TWG is a collection of premium retail outlets and exquisite tearooms across the globe. The high-end flagship salon in Singapore offers patrons a fine collection of harvest teas and exclusive blends such as Blue Cloud Loose Leaves ($102), along with signature tea-infused delicacies like tea jellies ($9) and handmade pâtisseries in a luxurious setting.

7. harney & sons

Specializing in gourmet tea since 1983, Harney & Sons is a family-run company from Millerton, New York. Now an international powerhouse, the company produces a wide variety of loose teas and tisanes, including even hemp infused CBD blends ($8-12). Their trendy Soho shop offers more than 250 varieties at the tasting bar, along with monthly classes.

8. paper and tea

Following the success of his Charlottenburg concept shop, owner Jens de Gruyter opened a second branch of Paper and Tea in Berlin’s Mitte district. The new shop sells tea accessories, loose-leaf teas by region, blend and type as well as handmade notebooks and cards too. Guests can even try teas prepared Gong-Fu style – a traditional, ritualistic Chinese practice of serving tea – right at the tea bar.  Popular picks include Mighty Green (8€), an Oolong called The Four Seasons of Spring (9€) and a black tea called Honky Dory Breakfast (4€).

9. davidstea

With the largest collection of organic teas and infusions in North America, DavidsTea steeps more than 150 delicious types including exclusive blends, premium green teas and whimsical dessert creations like Birthday Cake ($9) and the minty chocolate called Read My Lips ($15).

10. palais des thés

With more than two dozen shops throughout the world, Palais des Thés is a powerhouse purveyor.  At their Brussels boutique, you can sample and purchase classic loose varieties, small batch grand crus and famous signature blends such as Thé Du Hammam (9€) green tea with roses, dates, berries and orange flower water, or Thé Des Amants (9€) black tea spiced with ginger, cinnamon and vanilla.

11. simple loose leaf

Looking to try new teas every month?  Simple Loose Leaf has a variety of subscription box options that’ll ensure you’ll have all the tea you might possibly need at any given time.  You can choose from four kinds of boxes depending on your tea preference: a sampler box, an herbal tea box, a green tea box and a black tea box. They’ll then send you four different loose teas each month and four reusable linen tea filters to brew and enjoy.

12. camellia’s

The English heritage of tea drinking, along with the beverage’s healing properties, are celebrated at Camellia’s.  The quirky London tea salon and shop showcases more than 100 wellness and health tea blends and handmade infusions, along with darling teaware and accessories sourced from all over the world. The famous afternoon tea service features artisan sweets, scones and finger sandwiches.

The best shops to buy luxury gourmet tea this year

There you have it – now you know where to go to find a delicious new tea to match the drink’s robust history.  All that’s left is to find the perfect book to pair it with, let it steep. And enjoy.

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This article contains affiliate links to products selected by our editors. Dandelion Chandelier may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.

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