Tea Sourcing
Tea Origins
Our Ministers explore the world's finest tea gardens and herb-growing regions to bring you exceptional teas and botanicals. Carefully selected for their quality and character, they are the foundation of every memorable cup we share with Citizens around the world.
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Region |
Known For |
Signature Teas & Ingredients |
Distinctive Characteristics |
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Birthplace of tea with thousands of years of tea culture |
Green (Longjing), Black (Keemun, Yunnan), Oolong (Ti Kuan Yin), White, Pu-erh |
Diverse tea styles, exceptional craftsmanship, and region-specific terroir |
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One of the world's largest tea producers and birthplace of Masala Chai |
Assam, Darjeeling, Masala Chai |
Bold breakfast teas, floral mountain teas, and iconic spiced chai |
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Renowned for premium green teas and tea ceremony traditions |
Matcha, Sencha, Genmaicha, Hojicha |
Fresh, grassy flavors, meticulous cultivation, and centuries-old tea culture |
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Africa's largest tea producer |
Black teas used in breakfast blends |
Bold, brisk, full-bodied teas grown in high-altitude volcanic soils |
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Historic producer of premium black tea |
Ceylon Black Tea |
Bright, brisk, flavorful teas and home to the Women of Tea and Women in Leadership philanthropic initiative |
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Global sourcing partnerships |
Black, Green, White, Oolong, Herbal & Wellness Teas |
The Republic of Tea partners with trusted growers worldwide to showcase each origin's unique character |
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Chinese Tea
As the birthplace of tea, China offers an extraordinary world of flavors shaped by thousands of years of tradition. From the misty mountains of the south come some of the world's most celebrated teas, each reflecting the unique terroir and craftsmanship of its origin. While green tea is the country's most cherished everyday beverage, you'll also discover exceptional black, oolong, and fermented teas, each with its own distinctive character.
China is known for:
- Green Teas – such as Long Jing (Dragon Well), prized for its nutty, delicate flavor and Gu Zhang Mao Jian (Sky Between the Branches), known for its tender silver tips and unique chestnut character
- Black Teas – Hao Ya Keemun from Anhui province, with its vibrant Burgundy character, and golden tippy tea from Yunnan province, with its rich earthy quality, complemented by hints of dark sugar and spice.
- Oolong Teas – semi-oxidized teas, such as Ti Kuan Yin, with its aromatic orchid quality (lightly oxidized), and Dragon Oolong (more oxidized) with it roasted notes of chestnut and honey
- White Teas – grown in Fujian province, white teas, such as our Emperor’s White, are the least processed of all teas, exhibiting delicate notes of melon and sweetness
- Pu-erh Teas – unique to Yunnan province, Pu-Erh teas are the only fermented tea, displaying a rich cup of smooth character and notes of earth and molasses
Indian Tea
Discover the teas that have made India one of the world's most celebrated tea-producing nations. From the delicate floral notes of Darjeeling to the rich, malty character of Assam, these storied tea gardens produce exceptional teas that have become the foundation of many of the world's favorite breakfast blends.
India is known for:
- Masala Chai – bold, malty black teas ideal for hearty morning blends
- Assam Teas – bold, malty black teas ideal for hearty blends
- Darjeeling Teas – nuanced floral teas known as the “Champagne of Teas”
Japanese Tea
For centuries, tea has been at the heart of Japanese culture. Today, tea drinkers around the world enjoy Japan's clean, refreshing green teas and the vibrant umami flavor of matcha, a finely milled powdered green tea prized for both traditional tea ceremonies and modern culinary creations.
Japan is known for:
- Matcha – powdered green tea, rich in tradition and flavor
- Sencha – the most consumed green tea in Japan, known for its fresh vegetal profile
- Genmaicha – green tea blended with roasted brown rice, offering a nutty, comforting flavor
- Hojicha – roasted green tea with complex, toasty notes
Kenyan Tea
Experience the bold character that has made Kenyan tea a favorite around the world. Grown in the country's high-altitude gardens and nutrient-rich volcanic soils, these teas produce a vibrant, full-bodied cup with exceptional briskness and color. Whether enjoyed on their own or as the foundation of classic breakfast blends, Kenyan teas offer a lively and satisfying start to the day.
Explore Kenyan Teas:
- Bold and Full-Bodied – perfect for your morning cup
- Naturally Brisk – with a bright, invigorating character
- Ideal for Breakfast Blends – prized for strength, color, and rich flavor
Sri Lankan Tea
A bright, lively cup character has made Ceylon tea a favorite around the world. Grown in the lush highlands of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), these celebrated black teas offer bold flavor, a brilliant coppery liquor, and a brisk finish that shines on its own or serves as the foundation of many classic blends.
Beyond tea, The Republic of Tea is proud to support the local community through Women of Tea – Sri Lanka and Women in Leadership, philanthropic programs dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in tea-producing regions through education, healthcare, and leadership development.
Explore Teas and Herbs from Around the World
From the misty mountains of China and Japan to the lush tea gardens of India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and beyond, The Republic of Tea proudly sources premium teas and herbs from many of the world's most celebrated growing regions. By partnering with trusted growers and producers in these regions and many more, we bring Citizens an extraordinary collection of black, green, white, oolong, herbal, and wellness teas that reflect the unique character of each origin. Explore our collection to discover exceptional flavors, time-honored traditions, and the craftsmanship behind every cup, Sip by Sip Rather Than Gulp by Gulp®.