The world's best loose leaf tea - responsibly, sustainably and ethically sourced, direct from farmers and their tea gardens.

Tea that's good for you, good for the land, and good for the people who craft it.

SHOP LOOSE LEAF TEA

Don't just take our word for it...

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Some of the amazing restaurants, hotels, bars and bakeries who we work with:

Our bestsellers...

If you are new to loose leaf tea and aren't sure where to start; selecting a tea gift for a friend, or just a tea lover spoilt for choice, our Rare Tea bestsellers are here to help you choose.

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From a selection of the most lovingly blended English Breakfast teas to the most delicious selection of unique, single estate green teas, white teas, oolongs, black teas, pu'er and herbal tea infusions we have everything here to make your heart sing.

You'll find the best teapots, teacups and tea strainers - all you could need to enjoy the simple luxury of loose leaf tea.

  • "Lapsang for a long time has been the only tea I really like, but the one you gave me is so subtle and refined..."

    Daniel Day Lewis

    Actor

  • “She [Henrietta] busies herself promoting those farmers around the world who grow tea and tend to it with the care and compassion that is so ancient and elemental a beverage deserves and rightly demands.”

    Simon Winchester

    New York Times

  • "Tea to Henrietta is like a teddy bear to a child."

    René Redzepi

    Noma

  • "Henrietta's white silver tip tea is simply exquisite."

    Anjelica Houston

    Actor

  • "The Rare Tea Company exemplifies the very best of quality food and drink in Britain today..."

    Jay Rayner

    Food Critic

  • "Rare Tea Company creates teas of outstanding quality and aroma. They offer the finest full leaves with intense flavours and Henrietta Lovell provides an excellent service."

    Tom Aikens

    Chef

    • The Rare Tea difference...

    • icon of a plant growing and the sun

      Unique Terroirs

      We travel the world in search of the best, independent tea gardens; growing and crafting teas for quality over quantity, under organic farming principles.

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    • icon of two hands over a coin

      Direct Trade

      We buy direct from farmers at the price they ask, building long term sustainable relationships. We don’t buy from brokers or commodity markets.

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    • icon of arrows around a plan representing sustainability

      Sustainability

      All our teas are grown under organic principles and only loose leaf. No single use of precious natural resources, no industrial chemicals, no microplastics.

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    • Rare Charity logo

      Rare Charity

      Supporting long term social change by reinvesting a direct percentage of revenue into educational scholarships on our partner farms.

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    Rare Tea in the press:

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    Rare Tea Journal

    • What is Ceremonial Grade Matcha?

      What is Ceremonial Grade Matcha?

      Ceremonial matcha has become the most common English name for the highly addictive, top grade of Japanese matcha. What does 'ceremonial' grade mean? And why does this name get some...

      What is Ceremonial Grade Matcha?

      Ceremonial matcha has become the most common English name for the highly addictive, top grade of Japanese matcha. What does 'ceremonial' grade mean? And why does this name get some...

    • Healthy soil means incredible tea

      Healthy soil means incredible tea

      Sakamoto's soil has gone viral (again) with over 6 million views (and counting) on our Instagram and Youtube. Clearly, people are super into soil! So we wanted to share its...

      Healthy soil means incredible tea

      Sakamoto's soil has gone viral (again) with over 6 million views (and counting) on our Instagram and Youtube. Clearly, people are super into soil! So we wanted to share its...

    • The packaging labyrinth – change is here

      The packaging labyrinth – change is here

      Here we are, two and a half years since we last talked about our packaging. A lot has happened once again. I had a baby pretty much right after the...

      The packaging labyrinth – change is here

      Here we are, two and a half years since we last talked about our packaging. A lot has happened once again. I had a baby pretty much right after the...

    • Why reinfuse your tea leaves? Less waste, more taste!

      Why reinfuse your tea leaves? Less waste, more ...

      Our loose leaf teas and herbs are precious - they hold a delicious abundance of flavour. They have so much to offer that will not only flood your life with...

      Why reinfuse your tea leaves? Less waste, more ...

      Our loose leaf teas and herbs are precious - they hold a delicious abundance of flavour. They have so much to offer that will not only flood your life with...

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