Rare Tea Company

Rare Tea Company is an independent British tea company based in London, founded in 2004 by Henrietta Lovell, who is widely known as 'the Tea Lady'. The company specialises in sourcing and supplying high-quality loose leaf tea directly from farmers and their tea gardens around the world, with a strong emphasis on ethical and sustainable practices. Its range includes single-estate teas such as Lost Malawi English Breakfast, Silver Tip Jasmine, Rare Earl Grey, and Chinese Whole Leaf Green, alongside herbal infusions like South African Wild Rooibos and Whole Chamomile Flowers. Rare Tea also offers teaware and gifts, including gift cards, and sells primarily through its own e-commerce website. The company's stated mission is to redefine what good tea means by meeting three criteria: exceptional taste, healthfulness (no pesticides, herbicides, additives, flavourings, or plastic-containing teabags), and fairness to the people who produce it. Rare Tea buys direct from farmers, aiming to put more value into the hands of producers rather than middlemen. It has built a reputation among top chefs and hospitality businesses, collaborating with restaurants, hotels, bars, and bakeries such as Noma and Claridge's. Rare Tea Company operates as a private, independent business. It has a strong online presence, a customer review score on Trustpilot, and a journal/blog that discusses tea-related topics. The company's founder, Henrietta Lovell, is an active voice in the specialty tea world and has authored content on tea and sustainability. The brand remains focused on loose leaf tea, avoiding single-use teabags, and continues to expand its reach internationally through online sales.

Rare Tea Company was founded in 2004 by Henrietta Lovell, who became known as 'the Tea Lady'. Based in London, the company began with a small number of devoted customers and a mission to source the world's best loose leaf tea directly from farmers and their tea gardens. From these humble beginnings, Rare Tea grew its reputation by prioritising quality over price and building long-term relationships with tea producers. Over the years, the company expanded its network to include many of the world's finest chefs, restaurants, bars, and hotels, counting Noma and Claridge's among its collaborators. This hospitality focus helped establish Rare Tea as a trusted supplier of premium loose leaf tea. The company also developed a direct-trade model, buying directly from farmers to ensure that more value remains in the hands of the producers rather than intermediaries. Rare Tea's product range evolved to include single-estate teas from regions such as Malawi, China, Japan, and South Africa, as well as herbal infusions. The company has consistently avoided single-use teabags, emphasising loose leaf tea as a more sustainable and higher-quality alternative. Its online store serves customers in the UK and internationally, offering teaware and gift cards alongside tea. In recent years, Rare Tea has continued to advocate for sustainability and transparency in the tea industry. Its journal features articles on topics such as ceremonial grade matcha, soil health, and packaging changes, reflecting the founder's active engagement with industry issues. The company remains independent and privately owned, with Henrietta Lovell at the helm.

• 2004

  Rare Tea Company founded by Henrietta Lovell in London.

• Collaborations with top chefs and restaurants including Noma and Claridge's.

• Launch of online store offering loose leaf tea, teaware, and gift cards.

Premium, ethically sourced loose leaf tea for discerning consumers and hospitality professionals.

• Rare Earl Grey Tea

  A bestseller, priced from £8.00.

• Silver Tip Jasmine Tea

  A bestseller, priced from £11.00.

• Single Estate Lost Malawi English Breakfast

  A bestseller, priced from £8.00.

• RAFA Tea for Heroes English Breakfast

  A bestseller, priced from £9.00.

• Silver Tip White

  Priced at £14.00, currently sold out.

• Chinese Whole Leaf Green

  Priced at £7.00.

• South African Wild Rooibos Tea

  Caffeine-free, priced from £8.00.

• Speedy Breakfast

  Priced from £6.00.

• Whole Chamomile Flowers

  Caffeine-free.

• Rare Tea Gift Card

  Available in £10, £25, £50, and £100 denominations, delivered by email with no expiry date.

1. 1Rare Tea Company | Sustainable Loose Leaf Teas, Teaware and Gifts | RareTeaCorareteacompany.com
2. 2Rare Tea Gift Card | RareTeaCo | Rare Tea Companyrareteacompany.com
3. 3About Rare Tea | Loose Leaf Tea | RareTeaCo | Rare Tea Companyrareteacompany.com
4. 4Rare Tea Journal | Loose Leaf Tea | Rare Tea Company | RareTeaCorareteacompany.com