About Us
Welcome Citizens of The Republic
Founded in 1992, The Republic of Tea sparked a Tea Revolution. We began by canvassing the most prized tea gardens of the world for their worthiest leaves. Our mission was—and is—to see these teas steaming in the cups of men, women and children everywhere, and to emphasize a Sip by Sip Rather Than Gulp by Gulp® lifestyle.
Ministers
Ministers are our employees, serving our citizens and keeping The Republic running.
92% of our Ministers prefer tea over coffee. The other 8% are wrong, but we love them anyway.
Ambassadors
Ambassadors are our Sales Representatives, tasked with ensuring our teas are available to Embassies far and wide.
100% of our Ambassadors have formed deep relationships with Embassies in their territory. Ambassadors and Embassies go together like tea and water.
Citizens
Citizens are our customers who have defected to The Republic of Tea—those who eschew the status quo and pursue Tea Mind wherever they go.
62% of Citizens say they plan to try every one of the more than 350 premium teas and herbs available from The Republic of Tea.
Embassies
Embassies are retail outlets to which Citizens can turn when they need to replenish themselves—either through tea or fellowship.
10,000 Embassies for The Republic of Tea, with more being added every day!
Enriching Lives Through Tea
With supreme good fortune, we have progressed—constantly enriching people's lives through the experience of great-tasting, premium teas and herbs, education and innovation.
Our Citizens are invited to discover our offerings in natural and specialty gourmet retailers, restaurants, online or by calling 1-800-298-4TEA (4832).
Over 350 Premium Teas
Our offerings include: teas, herbs, bottled iced teas and nature-inspired sipware.
Award-Winning Packaging
Specially designed air-tight, light resistant tins containing either full-leaf teas and herbs or our signature round, unbleached tea bags, free of unnecessary envelopes, strings, tags or staples.
Decaffeinated Options
Decaffeinated tea (using a natural CO2 method) varieties are also available.
All Teas Are Gluten-Free
All of our teas are Certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
Tea and Herb Origins
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.
Chinese Tea
As the birthplace of tea, China boasts a tea tradition that spans thousands of years. Tea is cultivated in many provinces, especially in the south, where the terroir and craftsmanship give rise to some of the world’s most revered tea varieties. While green tea remains the most widely consumed tea in China, the country is also renowned for its diverse exports, including black, oolong, and fermented teas.
China is known for:
- Green Teas – such as Longjing (Dragon Well), prized for its nutty, delicate flavor
- Black Teas – like Keemun and Yunnan, known for their bold, malty character
- Oolong Teas – semi-oxidized teas with floral and roasted notes (Ti Kuan Yin)
- White Teas – minimally processed teas grown in the Fujian Province
- Pu-erh Teas – fermented and aged teas unique to Yunnan Province
Explore Chinese Teas
Indian Tea
As the second-largest producer of tea in the world and the birthplace of Masala Chai. India’s storied tea gardens in Darjeeling and Assam are celebrated for their exceptional quality. These regions form the foundation of many globally beloved breakfast blends.
India is known for:
- Masala Chai – a traditional spiced milk tea
- Assam Teas – bold, malty black teas ideal for hearty blends
- Darjeeling Teas – nuanced, floral teas known as the “Champagne of Teas”
Japanese Tea
Tea has been a vital part of Japan’s culture and heritage for centuries. Today, Japan is celebrated globally for its clean, delicate green teas and, more recently, for the growing popularity of matcha — its finely milled powdered green tea used in traditional tea ceremonies and modern culinary creations.
Japan is known for:
- Matcha – ceremonial-grade powdered green tea, rich in tradition and flavor
- Sencha – the most consumed green tea in Japan, known for its fresh, grassy profile
- Genmaicha – green tea blended with roasted brown rice, offering a nutty, comforting flavor
- Hojicha – roasted green tea with a toasty, low-caffeine character
Kenyan Tea
Kenya is the largest producer of tea in Africa and the third largest in the world, following China and India. Grown in high-altitude regions with rich volcanic soil, Kenyan teas are celebrated for their bold, brisk flavor and deep color. Their strong character makes them a natural base for many breakfast blends, including English and Irish Breakfast teas.
Explore Kenyan Teas:
- Robust and Full-Bodied – ideal for morning tea rituals
- Naturally Higher in Caffeine – offering an energizing cup
- Popular in Blends – often used to create malty, satisfying breakfast teas
Sri Lankan Tea
Sri Lanka — formerly known as Ceylon — boasts one of the world’s oldest and most esteemed tea industries. Grown in the lush, highland regions of the island, Ceylon black teas are celebrated for their bold flavor, bright liquor, and brisk character, making them a staple in premium tea blends around the globe.
Beyond tea, The Republic of Tea is proud to support the local community through Women of Tea – Sri Lanka, a philanthropic program dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in tea-producing regions through education, healthcare, and leadership development.
Explore Ceylon Teas
Vietnamese Tea
Though Vietnam’s tea heritage is less globally recognized than that of China or Japan, the country is an emerging leader in premium tea production. Grown in the cool, misty highlands of central and northern Vietnam, these teas are appreciated for their fruity aroma, naturally sweet flavor, and bright finish. The country’s diverse microclimates allow for the cultivation of exceptional green, black, and oolong teas that are gaining global acclaim. One of the unique ingredients found in some of our blends is Vietnamese cinnamon (Saigon cinnamon) — known for its bold, spicy-sweet profile, which complements a variety of teas and herbal infusions.
Explore Vietnamese Cinnamon Teas
Responsibility and Ethics
Our People
We believe that happy and healthy Ministers—also known as our employees—create a healthy business. By offering a number of unique benefits, The Republic of Tea brings harmony to the workplace.
Healthy Minister Program
Ministers have access to an on-site nutritionist, 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.
Trips to Origin
Once a year, The Republic of Tea invites a group of Ministers to travel for a week to a country where our premium teas and herbs are grown. In the past, Ministers have journeyed to Sri Lanka, India, Japan, China, Taiwan and South Africa. This is a truly enriching and unforgettable experience for our Ministers and our hosts.
Make a Difference Days
The Republic of Tea believes in making a difference within the community and compensates its Ministers while serving—a beautiful expression of “Ta Shun” or, “Harmony for the Whole.”
Ministers are encouraged to spend time volunteering and supporting non-profit organizations of their choice, bringing Ta Shun to their local communities.
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 a $2,000/year reimbursement to support their childcare expenses.
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.
“Who draws the water and boils it? Who spoons the leaves from the tin, and places them in the pot? Who lifts the kettle and pours? Who waits? Who fills the cup? Who drinks the tea?”The Minister of Leaves
