The aromatic world of tea, where each sip tells a story of tradition and innovation, is a quest for the perfect brew. From the steep mountainsides adorned with ancient tea bushes to the modern, eco-conscious blends that grace our tables, tea is more than a beverage—it’s a global experience that connects us across continents and cultures. This article is your comprehensive guide to navigating this vast and varied landscape.
Whether you’re a seasoned tea aficionado or a curious newcomer, our meticulously curated ranking will guide you through the highs and lows of the tea industry, revealing the brands that elevate the humble tea leaf into an art form and those that fall flat in their pursuit of infusion perfection. Join us as we unveil the masters of the craft and the underachievers, providing insights that promise to transform your next cup into an adventure.
29. Tazo
At the pinnacle of our tea odyssey sits Tazo, a brand synonymous with indulgence and a pioneer in the alchemy of tea blending. Imagine a brisk, icy afternoon transformed into a sanctuary of warmth as you cradle a steaming mug of Tazo tea; each sips a testament to self-care elevated to an art form. With an eclectic array of offerings—from the classic warmth of hot teas to the refreshing zest of iced teas and from the velvety caress of lattes to the daring flavors of sweet teas and innovative mixers—Tazo invites you on a journey of discovery. Have you ventured into the realm of Tazo’s Rose Pink Latte or the adventurous Berry Hibiscus Margarita? If not, consider this an invitation to a taste revelation.
Tazo’s ethos extends beyond the cup; it’s a brand with a heart deeply rooted in sustainability and climate justice. Through its collaboration with American Forests and the establishment of the Tazo Tree Corps, Tazo has taken a bold step towards greening our future, focusing its efforts on enriching BIPOC communities across major cities. This harmonious blend of unparalleled taste and impactful social values rightfully earns Tazo the crown as our top tea brand.
28. PG Tips
Steeped in history and tradition, PG Tips originated in the bustling streets of Manchester, England, in 1869 under the visionary eye of Arthur Brooke. Transitioning from the “Pre-Gest Tea” to the more palatable PG Tips, this brand has refined its craft, focusing on the delicate tips of tea leaves to brew perfection in a cup. With a portfolio of nine distinct varieties, including the innovative Dairy-Free and the robust Extra Strong, PG Tips caters to a spectrum of tea aficionados.
PG Tips is a vanguard of eco-conscious brewing, being the first major tea brand to embrace fully Rainforest Alliance Certified teas and pioneering 100% biodegradable tea bags. While its commitment to the environment is commendable, a longing for a broader selection lingers. Nevertheless, PG Tips’ blend of brand heritage, environmental stewardship, and delightful flavors secures its place as a cherished brand on our list.
27. Celestial Seasonings
Celestial Seasonings, founded in 1969, is a trailblazer introducing herbal teas and unique blends to the American market. From its humble beginnings selling to health stores, Celestial Seasonings has blossomed into a household name, offering over 105 tea varieties and touching the lives of tea lovers with 1.6 billion cups annually. Although its tea room and cafe in Boulder, Colorado, are a nod to its rich history and commitment to quality, they await reopening after COVID-19.
With flavors that dance on the palate—Bengal Spice, Cranberry Vanilla Wonderland, and Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride—Celestial Seasonings offers a universe of taste. Its renowned Sleepytime and Red Zinger lines have become staples in the tea community, earning Celestial Seasonings a revered spot in our top 5.
26. Harney & Sons
Harney & Sons, a testament to family tradition and tea excellence, has curated exceptional tea experiences for over four decades. With over 300 varieties, this brand is a haven for tea enthusiasts seeking diversity and innovation. The Zodiac collection, a blend of celestial inspiration, tea mastery, and pioneering CBD teas, highlights the brand’s commitment to creativity and modernity.
Harney & Sons excels in variety and its dedication to sustainability, proudly supporting environmental causes through its Fair Trade Certified teas. This commitment to quality, innovation, and environmental stewardship places Harney & Sons prominently near the top of our list, honoring their enduring legacy and forward-thinking ethos.
25. Yogi Tea
Embarking on its journey over three decades ago with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda at its heart, Yogi Tea has flourished into a sanctuary for those seeking solace and rejuvenation through their tea. Each blend is crafted for its flavor and potential to nurture the body’s equilibrium, offering a bespoke remedy for ailments from detoxification to digestion and bolstering immune health. Selecting a Yogi Tea is an intimate ritual, a mindful choice towards holistic well-being.
Yogi Tea’s commitment to societal well-being is mirrored in its global philanthropic efforts, which partner with organizations like NatureFund and The Kumari Project to sow seeds of positive change. This dual dedication to personal health and global welfare cements Yogi Tea’s place as a brand of choice for the conscientious tea drinker, earning it a distinguished spot near the zenith of our list for its noble cause and exquisite taste.
24. Stash Tea
Stash Tea, originating from the verdant landscapes of Portland, Oregon, in 1972, has evolved into a treasure trove of tea innovation. Renowned for sourcing some of the world’s most potent mint, Stash Tea’s catalog is a testament to the rich biodiversity of the Pacific Northwest. As a Non-GMO Project Verified and Certified B Corporation, Stash Tea’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility is unwavering, making it a brand with a conscience.
With an array that includes everything from the traditional to the tantalizing—think Decaf Chocolate Hazelnut and Christmas in Paris—Stash Tea delights with its diversity and creativity. Its place near the top half of our list is well-deserved, honoring its blend of environmental ethics, innovation, and exceptional taste.
23. Honest Tea
Honest Tea’s journey began in 1998 when Seth Goldman and his professor founded it on a vision of simplicity and integrity. Known for its bottled iced teas, Honest Tea has set the standard for Fair Trade Certified and USDA Organic beverages, offering options from unsweetened to “just a tad sweet.” The brand’s mission extends beyond the bottle, focusing on health, wellness, and sustainability, aiming to make organic products accessible to all.
While Honest Tea’s dedication to organic principles and minimal sugar is commendable, the longing for a hot brew option is palpable, especially during the colder months. This niche limitation places Honest Tea in our rankings with a note of appreciation for its mission yet a desire for more versatile tea experiences.
22. Teavana
Once a staple of mall excursions with its enticing tea samples, Teavana has transitioned from retail storefronts to a focused line of packaged teas following its acquisition by Starbucks. While the closure of Teavana stores marked the end of an era, the brand’s rebirth in packaged form offers a curated selection of flavors, from the comforting White Chocolate Peppermint to the zesty Mandarin Mimosa.
Teavana’s endeavor to redefine itself through a limited yet vibrant selection showcases a commitment to quality over quantity. The new direction in design and flavor profiles is promising. Yet, the constraint in variety necessitates Teavana’s placement in the middle of our list, celebrated for its potential and cherished memories.
21. Numi Organic Tea
Numi Organic Tea, born from the childhood memories of a brother-sister duo, has blossomed into a beacon of innovation and social responsibility in the tea industry since its inception in 1999. Named after a comforting dried lime drink from their Iraqi heritage, Numi has introduced the U.S. to a kaleidoscope of unique tea blends, each with a story. Beyond the cup, Numi’s heart beats through its foundation, championing initiatives from the 2019 challenging year to clean water projects, embodying a commitment to societal and environmental well-being.
While Numi’s teas, including its distinctive flowering teas and matcha, offer a sensory journey, the consensus on taste varies. This places Numi in a middle ground where its commendable mission and creativity are its standout attributes. This blend of meaningful impact and diverse flavors earns Numi a respected spot on our list, celebrating its role as a catalyst for change in the local and global community.
20. Rishi Tea & Botanicals
Rishi Tea & Botanicals sets itself apart with a commitment to organic teas and botanicals, sourced with an eye towards sustainability and global partnership. While the brand’s dedication to environmental stewardship and ethical sourcing is commendable, the overall tea experience can sometimes feel lacking in the robustness and complexity that aficionados seek.
Though genuine and clean, the flavors often do not stand out in a crowded marketplace where distinctiveness is key. This places Rishi Tea & Botanicals in a middle ground, where its noble intentions and quality ingredients serve a niche but may not fully satisfy the palate seeking depth and adventure in every cup.
19. The Republic of Tea
The Republic of Tea has long been a staple in the tea community, known for its extensive selection and innovative blends. However, its quest to cater to every possible taste preference has resulted in a sprawling assortment that, while impressive in scope, often hits a note of mediocrity in execution.
Some blends are noted for their subtle flavors that, while pleasant, fail to leave a lasting impression. This, coupled with a price point that suggests a premium product, places The Republic of Tea in the realm of mediocrity, where it serves as a reliable, if not remarkable, option for tea enthusiasts exploring the middle path between premium and everyday tea experiences.
18. Pukka Herbs
Pukka Herbs focuses on wellness and organic herbal teas, drawing from the rich traditions of herbal medicine to offer teas that promise health benefits alongside enjoyment. While the brand’s commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing is clear, the flavor profiles of its teas can sometimes fall into the realm of the underwhelming.
For those seeking the therapeutic benefits of herbs, Pukka delivers; however, for the tea drinker in search of culinary delight, the experience may be muted. This dichotomy places Pukka Herbs in a position of mediocrity within our rankings, where its health-oriented approach is appreciated but not unanimously celebrated for flavor.
17. Teapigs
Teapigs markets itself on the premise of delivering “real tea” through its biodegradable tea temples, a noble effort towards sustainability and quality. However, despite the brand’s push for premium, some consumers find the teas to lack the boldness and intricacy expected at its price point.
While Teapigs offers a range of exciting and varied flavors, the execution sometimes leaves enthusiasts wanting a richer taste and a more memorable sip. This gap between expectation and experience places Teapigs squarely in the category of mediocrity, where it is recognized for its ethical considerations and packaging innovation but critiqued for the occasional shortfall in delivering a truly premium tea experience.
16. Mighty Leaf Tea
Managed by the renowned Peet’s Coffee, Mighty Leaf Tea has carved its niche in the tea world with a commitment to accessibility and a diverse palette of flavors. From the cozy embrace of winter solstice to the refreshing zest of spring jasmine and the bold intrigue of turmeric ginger, Mighty Leaf offers a global tasting tour in every cup. The convenience of home delivery subscriptions enhances the appeal, bringing the world of tea to your doorstep.
Despite the adventurous flavor profiles, Mighty Leaf experiences a spectrum of hits and misses, reflecting the challenge of maintaining quality across such a vast range. This variability places Mighty Leaf Tea in a position where it’s appreciated for its ambition and accessibility. Yet, it is not at the pinnacle of our preferences, serving more as a reliable standby than a consistent favorite.
15. Good Earth Tea
Good Earth Tea burst onto the scene with its Sweet & Spicy Original tea, captivating taste buds with a bold declaration of flavor. Expanding its repertoire with variations from vanilla chai to peppermint, Good Earth embraces the richness of nature’s palette. The brand’s dedication to sustainability, ethical partnerships, and environmental stewardship showcases a holistic approach to tea production, aligning taste with ethical responsibility.
However, the inconsistency in the flavor quality of its blends has led to a division in preference, situating Good Earth Tea in the lower half of our rankings. While its bold endeavors in taste and sustainability are commendable, the uneven experience places Good Earth as a brand of potential yet to fully realize a consistent standard of excellence.
14. Bigelow Tea
Bigelow Tea’s origin story, rooted in Ruth Campbell Bigelow’s innovative blend of black tea, orange rind, and spices, speaks to a legacy of creativity and family tradition. With a vast selection exceeding 120 flavors, Bigelow caters to a wide audience, ensuring freshness with its distinctive foil packaging and embracing environmental consciousness through recyclable materials. The brand’s commitment to the community, evidenced by its charitable initiatives, underscores a deep-seated value system.
Despite these strengths, while reliable, Bigelow Tea’s offerings often lack the distinctive zest that sets a tea apart as exceptional. This results in a ranking acknowledging its solid foundation but noting its struggle to stand out in a sea of more vibrant flavors.
13. Upton Tea
With its inception in 1989, Upton Tea has established itself as a sanctuary for loose-leaf tea connoisseurs. The company’s dedication to a singular tea presentation speaks to a purist approach, valuing quality and variety above all. Offering an extensive array of teas alongside detailed cupping notes, Upton Tea educates and entices the discerning tea enthusiast, elevating the tea-drinking experience to an art form.
However, while its commitment to tradition is admirable, the exclusive focus on loose-leaf tea limits accessibility and convenience for a broader audience. This focus, paired with the absence of other tea formats, positions Upton Tea towards the lower spectrum of our list, celebrated for its expansive selection and quality yet constrained by its singular approach.
12. Argo Tea
Argo Tea, a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of two friends from Armenia, has made its mark on the tea landscape with a unique blend of café culture and retail presence. Established in Chicago, Argo Tea has expanded its reach, offering a delightful array of classic teas, innovative bubble teas, and signature teappuccinos across the East Coast and Korea. The acquisition by Golden Fleece Beverages in 2020 marked a new chapter in its journey.
Argo Tea is perhaps best known for its bottled iced teas, available nationwide in flavors like Hibiscus Tea Sangria and Green Tea Ginger Twist, offering convenience without compromising taste. While the brand’s loose-leaf selection is a nod to traditional tea enthusiasts, the limited variety in its offerings places Argo Tea at number 16 in our rankings, celebrated for its creativity and accessibility but longing for a broader spectrum of teas to explore.
11. Imperial Tea Court
Founded in 1993 by Roy Fong in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Imperial Tea Court is America’s first traditional Chinese teahouse, offering an authentic gateway to the rich heritage of Chinese tea culture. With two brick-and-mortar locations and a robust online presence, it offers an extensive range of teas, from green and black to the visually stunning blossom teas that bloom elegantly in hot water, offering a mesmerizing tea experience.
Despite the allure of its blossom teas, Imperial Tea Court struggles to distinguish itself in a crowded market, placing it nearer the bottom of our list. The brand’s commitment to tradition and quality is undeniable. Yet, it lacks the broader appeal or standout factor that captivates a wider audience, making it a niche favorite rather than a mainstream choice.
10. Capital Teas
Capital Teas, nestled in the heart of Annapolis, Maryland, under the stewardship of Anchor Beverages, offers a tea lover’s paradise with its wide array of blends and subscription services. This model ensures enthusiasts never run dry of their beloved brews, delivering new flavors directly to their doorstep with the promise of discovery in every cup.
Introducing Fruit Tisane as a refreshing alternative to traditional tea or soda showcases Capital Teas’ innovative approach to tea enjoyment. However, the lack of retail packaging options limits its accessibility to a broader audience, confining it to a niche market of dedicated subscribers and placing it further down our list due to its constrained convenience factor.
9. Red Diamond
With a lineage tracing back to the late 1800s in Birmingham, Alabama, Red Diamond stands out for its deep-rooted passion for tea craftsmanship, a trait more commonly associated with English tea houses. Specializing in a concise selection of teas – black, green, and decaf for hot tea enthusiasts, and a trio of iced tea options for those who prefer their brew chilled – Red Diamond has honed its offerings to perfection.
While Red Diamond excels in its specialty of offering high-quality, classic tea flavors, its limited range disadvantages it in a market that craves diversity. While admirable for its quality, this focus on a narrow selection positions Red Diamond near the bottom of our list, recognizing its excellence in traditional brews but noting the consumer’s desire for variety.
8. Talbott Teas
Talbott Teas, initially catapulted to fame by “Shark Tank” and further bolstered by Kevin O’Leary’s investment, has experienced a notable decline in visibility since its acquisition by Jamba Juice. Once a promising startup, its current online footprint is limited to a blog, with a conspicuous absence of products for sale, leaving enthusiasts longing for the innovative blends that once defined the brand.
The brand’s diminished presence, stagnant product line, and obscurity surrounding its offerings relegate Talbott Teas to the bottom of our rankings. While its legacy as a “Shark Tank” success story endures, the lack of available products and clear brand direction underscores the challenges in maintaining momentum in the competitive tea market.
7. Davids Tea
DavidsTea, despite its vast selection of loose-leaf teas and creative blends, often finds itself at the crossroads of quantity over quality. While the brand’s vibrant and modern approach to tea retailing is commendable, customers have voiced concerns over its range’s consistency and depth of flavor.
The emphasis on trendy and seasonal teas sometimes overshadows the core quality that tea enthusiasts seek, leaving DavidsTea to grapple with the challenge of balancing style with substance. As such, despite its popularity and expansive storefront presence, DavidsTea lands at the bottom of our list for failing to consistently deliver the premium tea experience it promises.
6. Tea Forté
Tea Forté aims to redefine the luxury tea experience with its aesthetically pleasing pyramid tea bags and exceptional packaging. However, this focus on outward appearance and presentation often comes at the expense of the tea’s intrinsic quality and flavor complexity.
Customers are left paying a premium for the experience rather than the brew itself, making Tea Forté more of a gift item than a go-to for daily tea connoisseurs. While the brand excels in visual and tactile appeal, it struggles to justify its price point with taste alone, placing it among the lower ranks for those pursuing a genuinely enriching tea experience.
5. T2 Tea
T2 Tea brings a bold and vibrant flair to the market with its wide array of flavors and striking packaging. However, the brand’s emphasis on innovation sometimes creates a mismatch between expectation and experience. While the adventurous spirit of T2 Tea’s offerings is appealing, not all blends hit the mark in delivering a satisfying tea experience, leading to a perception of style over substance among some tea drinkers.
Despite its commendable effort to push the boundaries of traditional tea, T2 Tea’s inconsistent delivery lands it further down our list. The quest for unique flavors often compromises the depth and authenticity of the tea experience.
4. Adagio Teas
Adagio Teas prides itself on offering a wide selection of loose-leaf teas sourced directly from tea gardens. While the brand’s commitment to quality and freshness is evident, customers have reported variability in the flavor and freshness of its offerings. This inconsistency can detract from the tea experience, leaving some enthusiasts underwhelmed by the brews that promise much but deliver less.
Although Adagio Teas has the potential to enchant with its diverse and globally sourced range, its hit-or-miss quality relegates it to a lower position on our list, reflecting the brand’s struggle to maintain a consistently high standard across its extensive catalog.
3. Twinings
Twinings, with its storied history dating back to 1706, is one of the oldest tea companies in the world. This heritage, however, does not shield the brand from its placement near the bottom of our list. Despite offering a wide array of teas—from traditional black and herbal to green and more exotic blends—Twinings struggles to elevate its offerings beyond the ordinary.
The brand’s commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing is admirable, yet the teas often fail to deliver a memorable taste experience. While Twinings is reliable for a comforting cup, consumers find it lacks the innovation and flavor intensity found in higher-ranked competitors. This blend of venerable history and middling quality defines Twinings as almost the worst brand on our list. It is respected for its longevity but critiqued for failing to inspire the modern tea drinker.
2. Kusmi Tea
Its origins date back to 1867; Kusmi Tea offers a rich tapestry of premium teas that blend Russian tea traditions with contemporary flavors. However, the brand’s steep pricing and the occasional discrepancy between the richness of its heritage and the actual sensory experience of its teas have left some customers questioning its value.
While Kusmi Tea’s beautifully designed packaging and storied history are attractive, the expectation of a transcendent tea experience is not always met, leading to its placement at the bottom of our list. In the pursuit of marrying tradition with modernity, Kusmi Tea sometimes falls short, delivering a product that is more hype than heritage in the eyes of discerning tea drinkers.
1. Lipton
Despite its standing as the world’s leading tea brand, Lipton finds itself at the bottom of our rankings, a testament to the chasm between popularity and quality. Originating in the 19th century, Lipton’s pioneering introduction of tea bags set the stage for global recognition. However, this widespread availability has not translated into a premium tea experience.
Lipton’s extensive range, from black tea to green tea and iced teas, lacks the depth and flavor complexity that true tea aficionados seek. While never disappointing, Lipton’s offerings are ubiquitously characterized as the baseline of tea—consistent yet unremarkable. This generic quality, coupled with an overreliance on mass-market appeal, positions Lipton as the least favored brand in our exploration, serving as a gateway for casual drinkers but leaving much to be desired for those pursuing a refined tea journey.