Comprehensive research on tea has found that certain varieties can help prevent cancer, promote cardiovascular wellness, boost metabolism, and even offer anti-aging and anti-diabetic properties. All of that, from some loose leaves. Some might find it hard to believe. But, perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising, since many people believe in the power of supplements, many of which also rely on the same elements from mother Earth that tea does.
The United States of America isn’t a very big tea-consuming country, but there are many Americans who enjoy this simple, delicious hot beverage. Diversity in all fields creates a stronger economy, builds communities, and empowers business owners and their families. If you’re looking for a spot for you to sip and relax on a good cup of tea, then we have the right list for you. Some of these Black-owned online tea shops below have physical locations, as well, so be sure to shop local with them when you are nearby!
Aesthete Tea
Aesthete Tea is based out of Portland, Oregon, and is queer, Black, Indigenous, (and) people of color (QBIPOC)-owned company. Aesthete Tea was created by Briana Thornton in 2017 in collaboration with her mother and herbalist, Maggie Cassidy. The brand began in a small kitchen in Oregon and was produced out of a 200 sqft space for the first 3 years. Today Aesthete Tea is blended, packed, and shipped out of their 3,000 sqft production house in Portland.
All of their products are farm-direct, meaning they go directly from the producer to the vendor, and the brand works hard to get its ingredients either from individuals or collectives that share their values. Their proprietary blend of tea is made by the owner’s mother, who is a folk healer and herbalist. Aesthete also has a collective community that puts on classes surrounding sustainable living.
Classy Hippie Tea Company
Classy Hippie Tea Company’s mission is to break cultural barriers through service and education tea, with a larger goal of improving public health. Check out their selection of teas, which include flavors such as sencha green tea, Beautiful People; Sweetheart’s moringa leaf tea with watermelon; or the new Fireflies @ Night, which is a black lychee tea concoction — perfectly served with ice.
Brooklyn Tea
The Brooklyn Tea company says that they are fascinated by tea, and tea lovers everywhere can definitely relate to that. These organic and fair trade teas can be a luxurious escape and delicious part of your day. They also have a tea room in Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, NY.
In addition to having a cozy tea room in Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn Tea also makes its mostly organic and fair-trade teas available online and offers free education about tea. The brand is also well-loved by its neighbors as it provides compost to a local community garden. In addition to tea, they sell teaware such as traditional matcha sets and stovetop kettles.
Originated from the evergreen tropical gourd, Calabash can be consumed, planted and used to carry water. “It feeds the village,” says master herbalist and naturopathic physician, Dr. Sunyatta Amen. With two locations in the nation’s capital, her tea company brings elevated herbal tea flavors that take a medicinal and healing approach, one that is no stranger to Dr. Sunyatta, who grew up helping her father’s vegan juice bar in Harlem. Sunyatta is a 5th generation herbalist. Her family business history is one of creating healthy products for their community. She grew up the daughter of parents who owned a health food shop and juice bar in the 70s. This strong influence in her life, coupled with the influence of her Syrian-Jamaican/Cuban heritage (especially food heritage) is part of what inspired her to create her own herbal-based company. Calabash carries over 100 different tea and coffee blends to choose from.
Jayida Ché
Jayida Ché, which means “good tea”, is an aunt and niece duo tea brand and shop. “Our goal when we started Jayida Ché was to make a better cup of tea,” said founders Aleathia Saleem and Mariyah Sabir. “By offering a tea served with care and blended with quality ingredients. In each organic and fair-trade, loose-leaf tea we blend we invite our communi-tea to our family affair.” They established Jayida Che and began shipping our teas nationally.
You can shop all types of teas with Jadiya Ché online or grab a cup at the Jadiya Ché Tea Spot in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mingles Tea Bar
Nestled right in the heart of Inglewood, Mingles Tea Bar offers a large selection of premium loose leaf teas that could be enjoyed there or taken home by the cup or the ounce. Mingles Tea Bar hosts monthly tea tastings to introduce customers to the wonderful world of tea, how tea is made, the tea’s history, and the proper cupping procedures. This also provides customers an opportunity to sample teas in order to expand their knowledge of teas.
Cup of Té
Cup of Té is a premier online retailer of loose leaf organic teas and teaware. Based in Ontario, Canada, founder Taylor Lindsay-Noel is dedicated to enriching lives through the experience of premium teas specially made from organic ingredients, with each taste offering unique benefits to tea lovers all over the world and every drop telling a story. Whether it be organic Sencha Green, Jasmine, or Earl Grey, they love to bring aromatic heritage blends that are naturally enriched with antioxidants without falling short on their savory tastes. Cup of Té’s journey began in 2008 when Lindsay-Noel, an aspiring Olympic gymnast, suffered a devastating accident while in training that left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Driven to overcome her challenges and transform her situation into something meaningful and extremely valuable to lives, she launched Cup of Té with the goal of providing the world’s finest loose leaf organic teas and teaware.
Tranquilo Teas
Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, Tranquilo Teas is also a mobile shop because they have a tea truck offering kombucha, lattes, and more. They’ll soon be putting on pop-ups, too. As for those who aren’t in the Atlanta area, you can shop their site for over 25 varieties. Your order is completely customizable, and you can choose the quantity ranging from sample size to 10 ounces. You can even pick subscription options for regular deliveries.
Black Momma Tea
Known for their gluten-free loose leaf tea selections, biodegradable tea bags, CBD hemp tea and organic flavored agave, Black Momma Teas offers all that you need to savor every last drop without the guilt. Proudly 100% made in the USA, the all-natural syrups, gluten-free flavorings and organic tea blends they carry are high in quality and guaranteed fresh. Black Momma even developed a gluten-free tea vodka, allowing gluten-sensitive individuals the ability to enjoy a flavorful adult beverage. Whether you’re a daily sipper looking for eco-friendly tea bags or a casual tea drinker on a diet, you’ll find all of the purest essentials for stocking your collection at Black Momma.
Vanessa Braxton, the owner of Black Momma Tea & Cafe, stands outside her future flagship location in Wheatley Heights. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Good Thoughts Tea Co.
Started in 2014 by head tea maker, Ebone’ McCloud, Good Thoughts Tea Co. is located in and operates from Chicago. They are an all-natural loose leaf tea company that is centered around the healing properties of herbs. The Illinois-based tea company’s main goal is to help heal from the inside out all while reawakening the conversation and experience of tea.
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Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies. She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
