Bana Tea Company

Bana Tea Company is a specialty tea retailer and curator focused on Pu-erh tea from Yunnan, China. Founded in 2008 by Linda Louie after years of study with renowned Hong Kong tea expert Master Vesper Chan, the company built its reputation on discerning selection, direct relationships with tea farmers and producers, and a deep appreciation for the history and culture of Pu-erh. Its collection ranges from young raw and ripe Pu-erh made from old-tree material to carefully stored vintage teas. The company operates primarily as an online retailer, offering its curated collection to tea lovers in the United States and internationally. Its sourcing model emphasizes firsthand trips to the tea mountains of Yunnan, where it seeks out farmers and producers who share its commitment to quality and responsible stewardship of the land. Many of its teas are made from leaves harvested from old tea trees growing in the mountain regions of Yunnan. In 2026, Linda Louie retired and entrusted Bana Tea Company to Wendy Chen and Nathan Epstein, founders of Callisto Tea House. Wendy and Nathan continue Bana's commitment to quality, education, and responsible sourcing while building their own relationships with farmers and producers in Yunnan and seeking new teas for Bana's collection. The company's mission remains to share the world of Pu-erh and offer teas selected for their quality, character, provenance, and ability to provide years of enjoyment. Bana's product line includes young raw Pu-erh, ripe Pu-erh, vintage and factory-produced teas, and tea tasting kits. Notable offerings include the White Sand Well Ripe Pu-erh, Forest Magic 2026 Raw Pu-erh, and a series of tea tasting kits inspired by author Lisa See's novels. The company also offers samples on request and regularly adds new teas discovered on its annual sourcing trips to Yunnan.

Bana Tea Company was founded in 2008 by Linda Louie after years of study with renowned Hong Kong tea expert Master Vesper Chan. From its inception, the company dedicated itself to the discovery and appreciation of exceptional Pu-erh tea. Through Linda's study with Master Chan, extensive travels in the tea mountains of Yunnan, and relationships with tea farmers and producers, Bana developed a carefully selected collection ranging from distinctive young raw and ripe Pu-erh to rare and vintage teas. For more than eighteen years, Bana built its reputation on discerning selection, direct relationships with tea farmers and producers, and a deep appreciation for the history and culture of Pu-erh. The company's sourcing model emphasized firsthand trips to Yunnan, where it sought out farmers and producers who share its commitment to quality and responsible stewardship of the land. Many of its teas are made from leaves harvested from old tea trees growing in the mountain regions of Yunnan. In 2026, Linda Louie retired and entrusted Bana Tea Company to Wendy Chen and Nathan Epstein, founders of Callisto Tea House. Wendy and Nathan continue Bana's commitment to quality, education, and responsible sourcing while building their own relationships with farmers and producers in Yunnan and seeking exciting new teas for Bana's collection. The company's mission remains what it has always been: to share the fascinating world of Pu-erh and offer teas selected for their quality, character, provenance, and ability to provide years of enjoyment. Bana operates primarily as an online retailer, offering its curated collection to tea lovers in the United States and internationally. Its product line includes young raw Pu-erh, ripe Pu-erh, vintage and factory-produced teas, and tea tasting kits. Notable offerings include the White Sand Well Ripe Pu-erh, Forest Magic 2026 Raw Pu-erh, and a series of tea tasting kits inspired by author Lisa See's novels. The company also offers samples on request and regularly adds new teas discovered on its annual sourcing trips to Yunnan.

• 2026

  Linda Louie retires; Wendy Chen and Nathan Epstein become owners.

• 2026

  New 2026 teas from Yunnan added, including Blades of Grass, Forest Magic, and White Sand Well.

• 2008

  Bana Tea Company founded by Linda Louie after years of study with Master Vesper Chan.

Specialty Pu-erh tea retailer and curator emphasizing direct sourcing, quality, provenance, and education.

• White Sand Well Ripe Pu-erh

  A 2022 spring harvest ripe Pu-erh from Yiwu Mountain, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. 100g. Fermented using well water from a well lined with white sand.

• Forest Magic 2026 Raw Pu-erh

  A 2026 spring harvest raw Pu-erh from Banpo Old Village, Nannuo Mountain, Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. 100g. Grown in a forest under-canopy.

• Blades of Grass 2026 Raw Pu-erh

  A 2026 raw Pu-erh tea. 100g. Price $36.00 USD.

• Lisa See Tea Tasting Kits

  Tea tasting kits inspired by Lisa See's novels: Daughters of the Sun and Moon, Lady Tan's Circle of Women, and The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. Each $35.00 USD.

1. 1Bana Tea Companybanateacompany.com
2. 2About Bana Tea Companybanateacompany.com
3. 3White Sand Well Ripe Pu-erh Tea | Bana Tea Companybanateacompany.com
4. 4Forest Magic 2026 Raw Pu-erh Tea | Bana Tea Companybanateacompany.com