Business Details
Premium Loose Leaf Tea & Teaware
At Rare Tea Company, we are dedicated to sourcing and delivering the finest loose leaf teas from around the globe. Our journey began with a passion for exceptional quality and a commitment to ethical practices. We travel directly to independent tea gardens, forging long-term relationships with farmers who prioritise organic principles and sustainable cultivation. By eliminating brokers and commodity markets, we ensure farmers receive fair compensation while offering teas of unparalleled flavour and purity. Our focus extends beyond productswe champion environmental stewardship, reinvesting in educational initiatives on partner farms and pioneering packaging innovations to reduce waste.With over two decades of expertise, we blend deep industry knowledge with a customer-centric approach, providing tailored guidance on brewing techniques, teaware, and subscription services. Our accolades from renowned chefs, actors, and media outlets reflect our dedication to excellence. Every purchase supports a vision where tea production respects both people and the planet, ensuring a legacy of quality and sustainability for future generations.
Services
Loose Leaf Tea
Teaware
Subscription Boxes
Corporate Gifting
Bespoke Blending
Retail Partnerships
Educational Resources
Cold Infusion Teas
Herbal Infusions
Rare Tea Subscriptions
Highlights and features
- We source directly from independent organic tea gardens worldwide.
- Our packaging innovations prioritise sustainability and zero waste.
- We reinvest in educational scholarships on partner tea farms.
- Over 20 years' experience curating the rarest, highest-quality teas.
- Award-winning blends trusted by Michelin-starred chefs and critics.
What people say
Exceptional tea quality
Ethical sourcing practices
Sustainable packaging
Excellent customer service
Unique flavour profiles
Services
Loose Leaf Tea
Our loose leaf teas are single-estate, organic, and handcrafted, offering complex flavours from black, green, white, and oolong varieties to herbal infusions. Each batch is sourced directly from ethical tea gardens, ensuring freshness and traceability. Perfect for connoisseurs seeking authenticity and sustainability in every cup.
Teaware
Curated teaware includes traditional teapots, gaiwans, strainers, and cups designed to enhance tea preparation. Our products combine functionality with aesthetic craftsmanship, supporting optimal brewing techniques for loose leaf varieties. Ideal for elevating home or commercial tea experiences with durable, high-quality tools.
Subscription Boxes
Tailored subscription boxes deliver curated tea selections monthly, featuring rare blends and seasonal offerings. Options include themed boxes for black tea lovers, herbal enthusiasts, or adventurous palates. Subscribers enjoy convenience, discovery, and exclusive access to limited-edition harvests from our global network of tea gardens.
Corporate Gifting
Luxury tea hampers and custom-branded sets provide elegant corporate gifting solutions. Our packages combine premium teas with artisanal accompaniments, ideal for client appreciation, employee wellness, or brand promotion. Each gift reflects sophistication and a commitment to ethical sourcing, reinforcing corporate values.
Bespoke Blending
We create custom tea blends for hospitality venues, retailers, or private clients, tailoring flavours and packaging to specific needs. Our expertise ensures unique profiles that align with brand identity or event themes, supported by direct collaboration with tea artisans for consistent quality and exclusivity.
People
Henrietta Lovell
Founder
Henrietta established Rare Tea Company to champion ethical tea sourcing. With over 20 years' experience, she works directly with global tea gardens, advocating for organic practices and sustainable livelihoods. Her efforts have earned recognition from culinary icons and environmental advocates.
Simon Winchester
Brand Advocate
Renowned author and journalist Simon Winchester supports Rare Tea Company's mission to preserve traditional tea cultivation. He highlights the cultural significance of ethical farming in his writings, aligning with the company's commitment to quality and storytelling.
Questions
How do I choose the right loose leaf tea?
Explore our curated collections by type (black, green, herbal) or origin. Use tasting notes and brewing guides to match your preferences. Our subscriptions offer discovery options for new blends.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we deliver worldwide. Shipping costs and delivery times vary by region, with options for tracked and expedited delivery available at checkout.
Are your teas organic and ethically sourced?
All teas are grown under organic principles without chemicals. We visit every garden to verify farming practices and pay farmers directly, ensuring fair wages and sustainable partnerships.
Can I reuse loose leaf tea leaves?
Yes, high-quality loose leaf teas can be reinfused multiple times. Adjust brewing time and water temperature for subsequent infusions to enjoy evolving flavour profiles.
How do subscriptions work?
Choose from themed monthly boxes or customise your preferences. Subscriptions auto-renew but can be paused, skipped, or cancelled anytime via your account settings.
What sustainability initiatives do you support?
We reinvest in educational scholarships for tea farm communities, use plastic-free packaging, and prioritise carbon-efficient shipping. Our 'Rare Charity' programme funds long-term social change projects.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Chandler James
Jun 25, 2021
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Ethical and fair tea merchant's, this artisan loose tea sourced from the highest grade producers across the globe. Easy to use website with a wide range of loose tea, which is always of the highest quality and beautifully packaged. Once you use this company, you wont bother looking anywhere else for tastetastic, complex tea.
Niels Engsager Dollerup
Nov 21, 2020
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The best Tea ever! Had a lovely Masterclass with the Tea Lady back in 2012 or 2013 and still enjoying every single cup 😀🥰 and always friendly and professional staff!
Alice G. Munro
Jan 02, 2020
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I can’t recommend Rare Tea Company highly enough! Not only is the tea DELICIOUS (I’m now spoilt for other lapsang souchong), their customer service is exceptional. I made a mistake on my address (autocomplete… fail!) for a large order & they sent another parcel to the right address, free of charge. I also loved Henrietta’s book, Infused. A love of tea & tastes & stories which are so intense, you’re there with her on the yellow sofa, sipping politely... Thank you!
Allison England
Sep 26, 2019
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Best Tea Ever! Thank you Rare Tea Lady and Team! This tea will seduce your mind, body and soul in such a delightful way and the amount of tea knowledge you can gain is incredible. I'm officially a tea lover for life.
Jeann Parker
Jun 30, 2019
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As a senior lady who loves her tea, it is rare that I am taken by surprise. having the emperor's breakfast tea lit me up! I think I had two full pots and would have had more if my stomach would have allowed it. my table companions had other teas they found delightful as well. I am ordering a tin of this wonderful tea today.
Margie Drube
Jun 22, 2019
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Reading the UK release of Infused!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A beautiful, rich description of the gamut of experiences inside the tea world. Ranging from the hidden, ancient villages is in rural China and India to the technological peak of gourmet eating in major cities and the sub arctic waters of Norway to the roasting droughts of Malawi! I have never been so… inspired and jealous as I am of Henrietta! These are beautiful, personal experiences from a world she makes accessible for all of us to feel personally connected to. And I think
