Exploring the world of loose tea can be both a delightful journey and a mindful practice, offering a vast array of flavors and aromas to suit any palate. With numerous brands on the market, each presenting distinct blends and unique sourcing methods, selecting the best ones can be quite the flavorful adventure. From traditional tea leaves handpicked from the lush estates of Darjeeling to innovative blends crafted by passionate artisans, the options are limitless for tea enthusiasts. Curious to discover which brands have made it to our list of the finest loose teas? Read on to find out more.
Illustration of loose tea
Best brands of loose tea in 2025
Harney & Sons
Harney & Sons, founded in 1983 by John Harney, is a renowned brand specializing in sourcing, blending, and packaging high-quality loose teas. The company, now led by Michael and Paul Harney, offers a range of premium teas, including their best-selling varieties such as Earl Grey Supreme, English Breakfast, Hot Cinnamon Spice, and Paris. Harney & Sons ensures a great quality product at a reasonable price, with a quality guarantee and free shipping on orders over $59. The brand is part of a growing global tea market expected to reach $78.688 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.95% from 2020. Discover more about their offerings with their best-sellers loose tea sampler.
Teavana
Teavana is a prominent brand in the specialty tea market, known for its high-quality loose-leaf teas and robust marketing strategies. It has a significant presence with both brick-and-mortar locations and strong online and print campaigns, capturing a large share of the "new-to-tea" consumer segment. In 2020, Teavana saw a double-digit sales increase of 68.6% and $16.6 million in sales, according to IRI data. The brand offers a wide variety of teas, including black, white, rooibos, and mate, often priced between $3.80 to $22 per 2 oz increment. Teavana's marketing and distribution strategies have made it a leader in the loose-leaf tea segment. For an in-depth analysis, consider checking out this Teavana tea review.
DAVIDsTEA
DAVIDsTEA is a leading tea merchant in North America, renowned for its specialty branded selection of loose-leaf teas. The company has seen a 12.8% increase in sales to $11.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, with a significant improvement in gross profit margin to 47.3%. DAVIDsTEA's tea and variety box assortment sales grew by 13.7% to $9.9 million, and online sales increased by 12.5% to $5.5 million, representing 49.4% of total sales. Founded in 2008, the company has expanded its presence with 18 company-owned stores across Canada and a strong e-commerce platform. DAVIDsTEA is also venturing into the ready-to-drink tea market, particularly with its entry into the kombucha segment.
Twinings
Twinings is a leading producer of high-quality loose tea, boasting a significant market presence globally and in key regions such as the UK, the US, and several European countries. The brand has overtaken PG Tips as the UK's best-selling black tea brand, with a market share increase of 13.8% over the past five years, reaching 21% market share. Twinings' innovative products, including its Superblends and Cold In'fuse teas, have contributed to a growth rate of 9.4% in a four-week period, outperforming the overall market growth rate of 0.4%. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has resonated well with consumers, with 4.84 million people in the UK consuming Twinings herbal, fruit, or green tea in 2023. Twinings' global expansion to over 100 countries further solidifies its position as a premier tea brand.
Kusmi Tea
Kusmi Tea, founded in 1867, is a renowned French brand specializing in high-quality organic teas and infusions, offering a diverse range of loose leaf teas, tea bags, and wellness blends. The company imports whole, high-quality tea leaves from around the world and ensures rigorous quality control at its production site in Normandy, France. Kusmi Tea has raised $35.99 million in funding and is expected to benefit from the global tea market's growth, projected to reach USD 98.29 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 7.09% from 2023 to 2033. Their teas are available in over 110 stores and partner outlets worldwide, with a significant portion of their sales coming from online orders. Kusmi Tea's commitment to traditional production methods and the use of organic ingredients has made it a favorite among tea enthusiasts. For more information on how their teas are produced, visit their production site in Normandy.
Rishi Tea
Rishi Tea is a renowned producer of high-quality loose leaf teas, sourcing organic and direct-trade teas from gardens around the world. With over 25 years in the industry, Rishi Tea ensures 95% of their teas are Certified USDA Organic, adhering to strict standards of quality and fairness. They offer a diverse range of teas, including black, green, white, and herbal options, with varying caffeine levels. Rishi Tea's commitment to direct trade and fair practices has enabled long-term partnerships with farmers, enhancing the flavor and quality of their teas. The company has seen significant growth, including the introduction of tea bags in 2013 and expansion into 100 countries. For more information, explore their extensive collection of loose leaf teas.
Adagio Teas
Adagio Teas is a prominent brand in the loose tea market, known for its extensive collection of over 200 premium teas. In their retail stores, 62% of sales are from packaged tea, with 38% of those sales being 1.5oz to 5oz pouches of loose tea and 34% being 0.4oz to 1oz samples. The brand's best-selling loose teas include Golden Monkey and Black Dragon Pearls, and their teaware, such as the ingenuiTEA and utiliTEA kettle, are also highly popular, with 52% of teaware sales being Adagio products. Adagio Teas also plays a significant role in the fruit tea market, expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.51% from 2021 to 2026. The brand's retail model focuses on customer engagement and education, offering guided tours and sampling opportunities. For more details about their offerings, visit their official website.
The Republic of Tea
The Republic of Tea is a renowned brand in the global tea market, known for its high-quality loose tea offerings. As part of the broader tea industry, which is expected to reach a market size of USD 32.44 billion by 2031, The Republic of Tea stands out for its diverse and premium tea products. The brand operates within a market where North America holds a dominant position, accounting for 38.3% of the market share in 2024. The Republic of Tea is also highlighted for its commitment to quality and safety, ensuring that its teas are processed in facilities free from allergens like peanuts. This attention to detail and quality has made it a favorite among health-conscious consumers who appreciate the health benefits and diverse flavor profiles of tea.
T2 Tea
T2 Tea is a renowned brand in the tea industry, celebrated for its innovative approach to reinventing and reimagining the humble tea leaf. Founded in 1996 in Melbourne, Australia, T2 Tea has grown to include over 90 stores globally across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore. The company sources tea from 30 countries, including traditional tea-producing nations like China, India, and Sri Lanka, and is committed to sustainability with compostable tea bags and recyclable packaging. T2 Tea's estimated annual revenue is $146.7 million, with a strong online presence that saw a 32% increase in web traffic last month. The brand's engagement metrics show an average visit duration of 3 minutes and 34 seconds on their website.
Mariage Frères
Mariage Freres, founded in 1854 by brothers Henri and Edouard Mariage, is a renowned French gourmet tea company that elevates the art of tea to a high level. The company, based in Paris, has been a leading producer of premium loose teas for over 160 years, importing high-quality teas from the Orient and serving them in luxury hotels and tea shops. Since 1983, Mariage Freres has expanded from a wholesale firm to a retail company, opening numerous tea houses and salons, including five in Paris. The brand is distributed in over 60 countries and is known for its exotic and colonial-themed tea salons. Today, Mariage Freres operates over 30 points-of-sale globally and is a significant player in the French tea market, which has seen a 9.6% annual growth rate. For more detailed information, visit the Mariage Freres Wikipedia page.
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