33 Things to Know About The Republic of Tea
In Celebration of Our 33rd Anniversary
From the moment The Republic of Tea was founded in 1992, we pledged to go beyond being a purveyor of premium teas — we set out to inspire a Tea Revolution. For 33 years, we have enriched people's lives through great-tasting, premium teas and herbs, education and innovation, emphasizing a Sip by Sip Rather Than Gulp by Gulp® lifestyle.
As we mark this meaningful milestone, we invite you to make a cup of tea and savor 33 things that define who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going.
1. Founded in 1992
The Republic of Tea was founded in 1992 in Mill Valley, California by Mel Ziegler, Patricia Ziegler and Bill Rosenzweig. The Zieglers had previously founded Banana Republic, which they sold to Gap in 1983.
2. Citizens, Not Customers
Those who sip with us are referred to as Citizens, not customers, reflecting a shared commitment to quality, mindfulness and sustainability.
3. Ministers, Not Employees
Our team members are known as Ministers, each serving with purpose — to meet our Citizens’ needs and keep delivering premium teas and herbs.
4. Embassies, Not Stores
Embassies are retail outlets to which Citizens can turn when they need to replenish themselves — either through tea or fellowship. There are currently over 10,000 Embassies for The Republic of Tea, with more added every day!
5. Ambassadors, Not Sales Reps
We refer to our sales representatives as Ambassadors, and they are tasked with ensuring our teas are available to Embassies far and wide. Our Ambassadors form deep relationships with Embassies in their territory. Ambassadors and Embassies go together like tea and water.
6. Pioneers of the Tea Bag Without a String
Our signature round tea bags are made from unbleached paper with no unnecessary tags, staples or strings, reducing waste and honoring simplicity. For every 1 million tea bags of The Republic of Tea sipped, 60 pounds of staples, 47 miles of string and 1 million paper tags are saved from landfills.
7. A Leader in Organic Teas
The Republic of Tea was the first company to receive USDA Certified Organic certification. We now offer over 70 Certified Organic Teas.
8. The Origins of Blackberry Sage
Our iconic Blackberry Sage Black Tea blend was created for singer and songwriter Jennifer Warnes, winner of multiple Academy Awards for Best Original Song. An enchanting tea and herb blend, good for sipping and singing!
9. Over 350 Premium Teas Available
We offer a wide selection of premium teas, herbs, bottled iced teas and sipware. Currently, we have over 350 teas available to our Citizens to sip, with new flavors and blends regularly added.
10. The First 100% Regenerative Organic Certified® Iced Tea in the US
The Regenerative Organic Certified® Tea Collection is a reflection of The Republic of Tea’s ongoing commitment to not only our Citizens but also to the world we share. As part of this collection, The Republic of Tea is proud to offer Organic Assam Black Iced Tea, the first 100% Regenerative Organic Certified® iced tea in the US.
11. A Founding Member of the Ethical Tea Partnership
The Republic of Tea is a founding member of the Ethical Tea Partnership, an organization committed to ensuring the ethical sourcing of tea and the promotion of social responsibility in the world tea trade. The Ethical Tea Partnership seeks to catalyze long-term systemic change in tea through projects, private sector change and policy, underpinned by foundations of shared learning, communications and diverse partnerships.
12. Committed to Sustainability and Social Responsibility
As part of The Republic of Tea’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, we are proud to partner with like-minded organizations such as the Upcycled Food Association, Climate Collaborative, the American Herbal Products Association, and the Ethical Tea Partnership and its Women of Tea program. The company also actively supports community-focused establishments, including Homeward Bound of Marin, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation and Whole Foods Market Foundation, among others.
13. The Book
Our three founders published a book about starting the company, titled The Republic of Tea: Letters to a Young Entrepreneur. In 1994, entrepreneur Ron Rubin was so inspired by the book that he purchased The Republic of Tea just 18 months after its founding.
14. Make a Difference Days
We believe in making a positive difference in our communities. Every year, our Ministers are encouraged to spend a day volunteering and supporting a non-profit organization of their choice.
15. The Healthy Minister Program
We encourage a life lived mindfully, one calming sip at a time — not gulp by gulp. Our Ministers receive a complimentary pair of athletic shoes yearly, participate in fun, energetic activities, have access to health screenings, healthy snacks and receive reimbursement for wellness programs of their choice, such as gym memberships and yoga classes.
16. Trips to Origin
Every year, The Republic of Tea invites a group of Ministers to travel where our premium teas and herbs are grown to learn more about how our teas are produced and the cultures and people that produce them.
17. Rated One of the Best Places to Work
The Republic of Tea has been voted by our Ministers and awarded by the North Bay Business Journal as one of the “Best Places to Work” for several consecutive years.
18. Award-Winning Packaging
Our specially designed air-tight, light-resistant tins contain either full-leaf teas and herbs or our signature round, unbleached tea bags.
19. Women of Tea: Sri Lanka
Working with the international nonprofit, the Ethical Tea Partnership, and a local nonprofit, the PALM Foundation, we have crafted a program in Sri Lanka focused on nutrition, hygiene and financial literacy, with the goal of elevating thousands of women and their families. Together with our Citizens, we are starting to bring prosperity to women and their families, helping transform teatime into a more positive force for good. Since the inception of our program, more than 27,000 people and six gardens have benefited from the Women of Tea: Sri Lanka trainings and workshops.
20. Decaffeinated Options
All our decaffeinated teas use a natural CO2 method, ensuring you get the flavors you love without the jitters.
21. Our First Tea
Ginger Peach Tea was our first tea and has been our most popular flavor since 1992. Available as a black tea, a caffeine-free red tea, a 100% white tea, a green tea, decaffeinated black or green tea and iced tea.
22. The Republic of Tea Headquarters
Nestled in Larkspur, California — where creativity and mindfulness flourish. Larkspur is in Marin County, California, and is in the beautiful Bay Area.
23. Partnerships with Global Tea Gardens
Our Ministers have scoured the world for the finest tea leaves and herbs in existence. These leaves and herbs are the economies upon which The Republic of Tea thrives and what it offers to its Citizens across the world. We maintain close relationships with growers across Asia, Africa and beyond.
24. Citizen Care
As our Citizens are of the utmost importance, we are available at (800) 298-4TEA (4832) to assist with new orders and to answer any questions about tea 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
25. Recycled Glass Bottled Iced Teas
All the bottles for our glass bottled iced teas are made with 20-25 percent recycled glass. A glass bottle is a great way to preserve the integrity, quality and freshness of this premium tea. Further, glass is one of the world’s most recycled materials.
26. First to Market
Innovation is a cornerstone of The Republic of Tea. As a leading purveyor of premium teas and herbs, we’re proud to have been the first tea brand to offer 100% White Tea, rooibos tea and Yerba Maté to the American marketplace.
27. All Teas are Gluten-Free
The Republic of Tea is the first and only tea company in the United States to be certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). This ensures all our full-leaf and bagged teas are absolutely free of gluten and possible cross-contamination from gluten. You will find the Gluten-Free logo on teas and other products.
28. Sonoma Teas Are Made with Fine Wine Grape Skins
Our unique line of Sonoma Iced Teas are made by replacing the tea leaves traditionally found in iced tea with fine wine grape skins from Sonoma County, California. The grape skins impart a nuanced, sophisticated flavor and contain multiple polyphenols, such as resveratrol. Alcohol-free!
29. Tea Safety
We take pride in providing our Citizens with the highest quality and safest teas from around the world. All of our teas are naturally produced. They are inspected and undergo the most stringent of quality assurance processes at the garden level before they are shipped. Once they arrive at our packaging facility, they are inspected again to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety are maintained.
30. Feng Shui
The offices and facilities are designed according to Feng Shui principles, promoting balance and positive energy.
31. Mini-Ministers
The Republic of Tea cares about its Ministers and their families. In addition to our company's rich health benefits package, Ministers with children receive reimbursement to support their childcare expenses.
32. Embracing Ta Shun – Harmony for the Whole®
The Republic of Tea embraces the ancient Chinese philosophy of Ta shun — the Great Harmony. Ta shun is alive when people naturally care about the world and depend on one another for the well-being of the whole. It manifests itself in collective concern and the aspiration to seek opportunities, initiatives and actions that will better the conditions of both humans and the planet. In short, to provide good works, render goodwill.
33. The Journey Has Just Begun
While we honor our past, we remain ever focused on a sustainable, flavorful future.
Steeping Forward, Together
As we celebrate these 33 milestones, we extend our deepest gratitude to you — our Citizens — for joining us on this journey. Every cup steeped, every mindful moment savored, has shaped The Republic of Tea into what it is today.
Here’s to continuing the Tea Revolution — Sip by Sip Rather Than Gulp by Gulp®, for many years to come.
