Are you on the hunt for best tea in the world? Find out top picks for black tea, green tea, and matcha tea on Review Me First only!
Remember when the pleasant gesture of a cup of tea was usually accompanied by 'milk and sugar?' Even a barely stocked pantry will now contain at least a basic range of herbal and green teas, in addition to your standard 'builder's tea.'
From traditional India's masala chai to Chinese Oolong tea to England's breakfast tea, diverse people of numerous nations throughout the world, who otherwise have lots of distinction, share just one thing: they all enjoy a decent tea break.
Regular intervals to gulp this famous beverage are the backbone of many a culture. Fortunately, there are many luxury tea manufacturers whose sole purpose is to provide you with the richest, best teas in the world.
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Our list will walk you through the tried-and-true top gourmet tea brands on the market right now.
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Best Tea Brands in the World
1. Vahdam: Our Showstopper
Vahdam is the place to go for excellent tea blends from India. With a novel strategy, the tea company is shaking up the sector. They acquire their teas directly from growers in India, eliminating intermediaries and selling them completely online.
This assures that you are getting the cheapest rates and the freshest quality teas available. Even better, the company cares about its farmers' children, donating 1% of its profits to their education.
Vahdam is a celebrity favorite — think Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres — and one of the biggest tea brands right now, with an increasing number of new consumers signing up for their subscription service to receive exotic Indian teas delivered to their home.
Vahdam takes pleasure in producing some of the world's finest organic and speciality teas by incorporating organic principles into the company's culture.
We highly suggest Vahdam not only for yourself but also as a lovely present for the tea enthusiasts in your life. The company creates stunning gift boxes filled with various delectable gourmet blends that are guaranteed to be their cup of tea. We're currently adding items to our shopping basket.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Earl Grey Citrus Black Tea
Any of Vahdam's tea blends are certain to please. But, if we had to select one to introduce you to the brand, we'd go with the delicious and aromatic Earl Grey Citrus Black Tea flavour.
The easiest method to evaluate high-end tea brands is to try a mix you're already acquainted with. If you prefer their basic blends, you can branch out into new flavours like their organic Turmeric health detox package, which is recognized for its anti-ageing and immunity-boosting benefits.
Vahdam's Earl Grey Citrus Black Tea mixes premium Bergamot oil and the best Indian black teas. The dry leaf has a delightful scent. This tea is a delightful morning wake-up call and afternoon pick-me-up, with a crisp citrus aftertaste. Also great for an iced brew pot.
2. Tielka: Best Organic Tea in the World
Tielka's wonderful organic tea range will transport you to sunny Australian shore with just one sip.
Since its inception in 2009, Australia's most acclaimed organic tea business has grown significantly, with its love of wonderful tea permeating each steaming cup. They're outspoken supporters of all things sustainable and ethical, with their exquisite ingredients procured at harvest from professional growers both in their native country and throughout the world.
Tielka's exquisite infusions contain Tasmanian pepper berries, Victorian-grown lavender, and aromatic Italian bergamot oil. Each blend is painstakingly made with deliberate flavours, providing excellent, complex notes for both the experienced sipper and the novice tea-lover. Green, black, white, herbal, oolong - Tielka's collection is a veritable rainbow of sophisticated preferences.
But the surprise begins before you even boil the kettle; Tielka is a thrill from the start, packaged in beautiful packaging.
But the surprise begins before you even boil the kettle; Tielka is a thrill from the start, packaged in beautiful packaging.
Tielka is certified organic and fairtrade, and they don't put a (mostly naked) foot wrong. Even their tea bags are made of plant-based fabric—honestly, this brand epitomizes all-around kindness to a Tea. If it isn't an invitation to savour more of the best tea, we don't know what is.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Black Tea Loose Leaf Blend
The Lady Betty Black Tea Loose Leaf Blend is Tielka's best-kept secret.
Tielka's Lady Betty blend is her twist on the standard Earl Grey. It is, nevertheless, a little more elegant. That is, of course, why it is known as French Earl Grey.
This dynamic combination starts with the brand's award-winning black tea from China's Yunnan region, a full-bodied, refined flavour from sweet orange and delicate cornflower petals. The exquisite black tea is combined with fragrant Italian bergamot and rose oils to create the classy Lady Betty Black Tea Loose Leaf Blend.
We recommend brewing Lady Betty in Tielka's tea infuser (giving her the respect she deserves), which is built with super-fine mesh to keep any annoying particles out of your tea.
3. TWG: Best Gourmet Tea
Taha Bouqdib, president and Chief executive officer of TWG Tea, might be considered the world's largest tea enthusiast. That, my friends, is the type of reputation you want from your tea provider. Bouqdib, an authentic tea aficionado, has travelled far and wide to locate and sample the world's most delightful teas.
Bouqdib eventually settled in Singapore, but after studying tea ceremonies in nations as disparate as France and Morocco for upwards of 15 years, he is perhaps the definitive authority on all things tea.
Tea is his passion, and TWG Tea is the embodiment of that devotion.
They also utilize hand woven, 100 per cent cotton tea bags to highlight the ultimate magnificence of TWG Tea. Apart from seeming completely opulent, this creates the ideal atmosphere for the whole leaf tea to move and grow, resulting in the ultimate infusion.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Silver Moon
TWG Tea's Silver Moon is delicate and luxurious in equal measure. This tea is an outstanding combination of green teas taken from carefully selected tea estates, and it is ideal for complementing those special times. However, sipping Silver Moon tea is a spectacular occasion in and of itself!
Silver Moon's complex flavour profile stems from the moderate bitterness inherent in green tea, balanced with a faint berry and vanilla fragrance.
The enticing smell will emerge from the cup minutes after the first sip, setting the atmosphere for those ambrosial flavours to work their magic.
TWG Tea is luxurious and decadent, and it has been expertly created down to the smallest nuances. As a result, we have selected TWG Tea as the best premium tea on the market.
4. Republic of Tea: Best White Tea Brand
Republic of tea's mission statement encourages a "sip by sip" mentality rather than "gulp by gulp." They want to retain the elegant ceremonial of tea drinking by gradually urging the user to enjoy the intricacies of their teas sourced from the most prestigious tea estates.
Perhaps the finest part of the Republic of Tea is their choice to treat their personnel as ministers,' their stores as 'embassies,' and their customers as 'citizens.' Even if they sold subpar tea (which they don't), this is quite great.
The Republic of Tea's national product is the polar opposite of 'substandard;' its whole leaf teas, unbleached bagged teas, and decaffeinated mixes are all award-winning. So, that's it!
With its ever-inclusive and kind leadership, Republic of Tea provides over 300 types, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: White Emperor
White Emperor Tea from the Republic of Tea is grown only in the Fujian Province highlands of China, and it boasts incomparable flavours to a magnificent degree. Its harvesting season is as limited as its location: the leaves are collected just two days every year, at a brief window when the tea blossoms are about to emerge.
Predictably, the unusual and time-sensitive harvesting procedure makes this white tea one of the world's rarest.
Furthermore, it isn't named White Emperor for nothing. These precise tea leaves were historically selected from the emperor's secret garden and offered to visit dignitaries to provide them with the warmest, most fragrant welcome to China.
White Emperor is entirely non-GMO, gluten-free, and calorie-free. As a result, you may easily indulge in a slice of cake on the side without feeling guilty!
This year, we selected Republic of Tea's White Emperor as the most delicate white tea on the market due to its scarcity, superb flavour, and health advantages.
5. Tea Forté: Best Tea Range
Tea Forté offers great teas in gorgeous, one-of-a-kind packaging. Tea Forte is a delight for the eyes and the taste buds, with its finely constructed pyramid infusers encasing the award-winning flavour extravaganza inside.
Tea Forté is devoted to crafting the most exquisite flavours, which mix to produce both quirky and traditional blends by working directly with farmers.
They are happy to supply quality teas to over 35 nations, demonstrating the pervasive appeal of their art. Okay, Coca-Cola comes around 200 varieties, but 35 is still a very good number! Just give them some time...
Tea Forté is the tea equivalent of Ladurée's macarons: a divine product encased in equally exquisite packaging.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Tea Tasting Assortment
When you just can't make up your mind. If you're feeling completely overwhelmed by Tea Forté's extensive range of premium tea, don't worry:
The Tea Tasting Assortment has 40 different variations of their most popular tea blends. So you may genuinely have it all! The Tea Tasting Assortment, wrapped delectably in an embossed pastel box and completed with an oh-so-lavish satin ribbon, might be the ideal present.
Of course, there's a danger that your 'present' will be too enticing to pass up... Such is the allure of Tea Forté's refined design. And that's without even getting into the teas buried within!
Expect universal favourites like Organic Earl Grey and Organic Jasmine Green, as well as unusual blends like African Solstice, White Ambrosia, and White Ginger Pear, which pique your interest.
Of course, critical tasting notes are given so that you can appreciate the delicate flavours like a genuine expert.
Tea Forté's Tea Tasting Assortment is the greatest tea sampler on the market, thanks to its distinguished packaging and an exquisite assortment of gourmet teas.
6. Harney & Sons: Best Black Tea Brand
Harney and Sons, a family business driven by a genuine enthusiasm for all things tea, carries on the heritage established by their founder, John Harney.
Harney and Son's namesake sons are currently working extremely hard to sift through and locate the world's best tea farms. Mike Harney, who goes by the coveted title of Master Tea Buyer and Blender, was once a hobbyist sommelier (well, aren't we all on most Friday nights?).
As a result, this man's taste senses are unrivalled. At Harney and Sons in New York, expertly producing both classic and unusual tea blends is the order of the day.
With over 300 distinct blends, including many matchas and a new hemp variety, even the most discerning tea connoisseur is sure to be satisfied by the impressive tea selection.
As a FairTrade Certified company, Harney and Sons make an effort to take some responsibility for the well-being of the tea-growers. Furthermore, their ten-year relationship with 1 per cent for the Planet promises to donate one per cent of their revenues to environmental projects throughout the world. Respect.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Hot Cinnamon Spice
The brand's bestseller is also one of its oldest, created by John Harney in 1980. Hot Cinnamon Spice tea is an enticingly called warming drink made with black tea, orange peel, sweet clove, and three varieties of cinnamon.
The combination of these complementing flavours results in a sweet, creamy, and oh-so-comforting flavour palette.
Hot Cinnamon Spice is a delight for the senses, with its earthy brown liquor indicating the lush soils in which it thrives and the unique perfume of spice and citrus.
Harney and Sons is the best black tea brand on the market because of their unwavering dedication to their art, combined with real enthusiasm.
7. Jade leaf Matcha: Best High-Quality Matcha Tea
When most people think of Japanese food, they think of sushi and sake. Matcha, the super tea,' has also appeared in the public eye, making its way from a far-off island nation and into Western civilization.
Ritual is extremely important in Japan's highly dignified society. Tea consumption is no exception. Whereas matcha has only recently become a tremendously popular health drink in the West, the matcha tea ceremony has been a vital part of Japanese society for decades.
But you don't have to participate in the traditional ceremony to reap the health benefits of matcha tea (though it would add a whole new dimension to sushi night!).
Then there's Jade Leaf Matcha. Matcha is sourced directly from organic farmlands in Japan by founders Mark and Will, delivering the most genuine experience possible. Not just any organic farm will do. The matcha used by Jade Leaf Tea comes from a region near Kyoto known for its matcha plants.
In the adjacent Uji, the journey from raw plant to ready-to-brew matcha powder is proudly 'left to the masters.' With Jade Leaf Tea's rigorous approach and dedication to excellence, you may find yourself saying goodbye to the average matcha.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Jade leaf Ceremonial Matcha
Ceremonial matcha tea is of the finest quality and is referred to as the 'ceremonial' grade.
Jade Leaf Ceremonial Matcha is USDA Certified Organic (and only 1 per cent of Japanese farms are tea-certified, so finding one is like finding a needle in a haystack). Japanese monks have been enjoying the alleged health benefits of matcha since before it was hip, enjoying the highly high antioxidant levels.
The incredibly complex and flavoursome Jade Leaf Ceremonial matcha may be what's lacking from your life! It's easy to make (simply whisk with hot water) and provides a caffeine spike (without the jitteriness of coffee).
The bittersweet flavour profile is an acquired taste, and some have stated that after a few weeks of frequent drinking, they come to hunger for the distinctly astringent taste.
We selected Jade Leaf Tea as the finest matcha tea on the market due to its meticulous production process and dedication to authenticity.
8. Yorkshire Tea: Best English Tea
For many people in the Northern Hemisphere, the ideal brew is black tea with a dash of milk (with sugar for the scoundrels out there).
The subject of 'how English is English breakfast tea?' remains debatable, but one thing is sure: the guys up in Yorkshire know their tea.
Harrogate, Yorkshire, Yorkshire was founded in 1886. Despite being owned by Taylors of Harrogate, tea has become a household name in its own right. It was and still is a family-run enterprise that satisfies the thirsts of the majority of the British populace and then some.
Their not-so-secret recipe for creating top-grade tea is simply refusing to compromise on quality. 'But I didn't believe you could grow tea in Yorkshire,' you may be thinking. Congratulations! No, the continuously wet North of England is not recognized for its tea-friendly weather or rich soils.
On the other hand, Yorkshire Tea is acquired from the finest farmers in Africa and India, paying fair rates along the way while being unmistakably British.
Yorkshire Tea is also produced by Rainforest Alliance Certified producers and bears the Forest Stewardship Council symbol. The non-profit promotes sustainable forestry management and works to conserve forest biodiversity. If we've ever seen a guilt-free cup of tea, this is it!
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Yorkshire Gold
While they've expanded to offer a wide range of tea blends, Yorkshire Gold remains their crown gem. The rich, full-bodied mix is a great way to start the day (or afternoon!).
Yorkshire Gold is a premium mix of the finest tea leaves from Kenya, Assam, and Rwanda, which gives it its distinctive golden tint.
The sight of the silky steam that rises from a basic, plain cup of Yorkshire Tea is 'Ah'-worthy. Drinking it from exquisite bone china is redolent of British aristocracy and effective in enhancing the innate serenity.
This British societal mainstay's modest yet thorough execution is noteworthy. As a result, Yorkshire Tea has been regarded as the best English morning tea.
9. Dilmah: Best Ceylon Tea
Dilmah was born in the 'teardrop of India,' Sri Lanka, possibly the cradle of tea. Dilmah was the first brand to supply producer-owned tea directly from the source. The tea was selected, packaged, and refined at the source from start to finish.
And what a birthplace it is... Dilmah Tea was born in rural Sri Lanka's breathtakingly picturesque heartland. Rolling hills of lush green cut geometrically with row after row of tea plants stretching as far as the eye can reach.
Merrill J Fernando, often known as The Tea-maker, received the FIRST prize for Responsible Capitalism in 2016. Although this may appear to be an oxymoron, Fernando has worked hard to ensure that Dilmah stays a local product and is proudly unblended, which Fernando claims to detract from the flavour of his tea.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Dilmah Premium Ceylon Tea
Dilmah's Premium Ceylon tea has a particular flavour that is unique to Sri Lanka. Dilmah's tea is proud to be 100 per cent Sri Lankan, combining robust richness with a delicate scent in a single flawless cup. It's meticulously made from plucking to packing in the island's Ratnapura district, which is noted for its dramatic scenery.
Dilmah skillfully executes the perfect balance of citrus, chocolate, and a hint of Sri Lankan spice, producing a fresh, delicate flavour profile with different depths.
Dilmah's Ceylon tea is aromatic, full-bodied, and energizing, with a beautiful dedication to authenticity. As a result, we named it the best Ceylon tea on the market.
10. Twinings: Best green tea
The English like tea more than the Italians adore spaghetti, more than Americans love Taco Bell, more than the Swiss adore fondue... you get the picture. That's not surprising.
Tea became extremely popular once it was brought to Britain by the East India Company (check your history books). This is still the case today. The Twinings family were at the forefront of this popular hobby (drinking tea is about more than just the tea, of course!).
In 1707, Thomas Twining founded the Golden Lyon coffee shop and began sharing his tea knowledge with the regulars. As they say, the rest is history.
Twinings is well-known across the United Kingdom and abroad for its welcoming, sensual herbal tea blends and robust English breakfast teas. With 300 years of expertise, you'd think they'd be pretty decent. They are, indeed.
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Twinings Green Tea
Maybe it's just us, or does green tea make you feel very healthy from the inside out while also providing an energizing boost? There are several versions of the immensely popular green tea, but we prefer Twinings' basic Green Tea.
Twinings green tea bags are like all the beauty and nourishment in one neat little packet, ready to be infused in your favourite cup.
Twining's tea masters employ delicate sencha steaming and pan fire to create an earthy, light and refreshing mix.
Green tea may be easily ruined by overcomplicating or using inefficient processing processes. On the other hand, Twinings retain their inherent affinity for tea-making quality, which is visible in every aromatic cup.
Twinings Green Tea is the greatest green tea of the year, according to us. Go ahead and start the kettle.
11. Yogi Tea: Best Herbal Tea
Yogi Tea, which is high on mindfulness and positivity, can be found on the breakfast bars of many yoga retreat centres worldwide, not to mention in the pantries of individuals who want to reproduce that desired peace in their own homes.
Drinking Yogi Tea, on the other hand, will not turn you into a starry-eyed, yoga-pant-wearing earth kid unless you're interested in it.
Yogi Tea's concept is based mainly on the ancient Indian tradition of Ayurvedic medicine. This implies that their teas are made with the magical abilities of herbs in mind to provide the greatest advantages.
The components are, of course, organic and free of artificial substances or additions. Each tea comes with a lovely Yogic wisdom message and a yoga exercise. We're not sure about you, but we're sold.
The firm is active in humanitarian programmes worldwide, and it also supports sustainability in its operations. Is there anything these guys don't get right?
Our Pick of Tea Blend: Sweet Tangerine Positive Energy
Sweet tangerine. Could there be a more beautiful pair of words than that? It reminded me of a Mediterranean orange grove, sticky with the sap of fruit trees packed with their bounty. Yum.
The harmonious combination has been deliberately developed to lift your spirits and promote enthusiasm. Because this mix contains caffeine (80mg in a conventional cup, compared to 90mg in a usual cup of coffee), it also acts as a nice pick-me-up.
Lotus flower, lemon myrtle, and sweet flowery lotus flower combine to produce a fragrant, sweet, yet balanced combination. The black Assam tea gives depth, while the green tea balances the citrus's sweetness.
Yogi Tea is the greatest herbal tea on the market since it is a delightful scented tea from start to finish.
How to select the Best Tea?
Black Tea:
For many of us, the only way to enjoy a decent cup of brew is with milk and black tea. Popular black teas include English morning tea, Earl Grey, Assam, Ceylon, and Darjeeling. Caffeine is present in black tea. However, it is less than that in a cup of coffee.
As a result, it's an excellent drink for revving up your engines on a sluggish afternoon while avoiding the insanity that might accompany too much caffeine!
It is, of course, the Queen's favourite beverage. So, if you want to embrace your inner grandeur, a traditional English breakfast is the way to go.
White Tea:
Mythbuster: White tea is not simply black tea with milk added to it. If you make that mistake at a high-tea celebration, tea connoisseurs will swiftly remove you.
Silver Needle, White Peony, Long Life Eyebrow, and Tribute Eyebrow are the most frequent types of white tea. We assure you those last two aren't made up.
White tea has the least amount of processing of any tea. Because white tea is in its raw state, it preserves most of its antioxidants, making it both healthful and tasty. White tea has only 15-20mg of caffeine per cup, making it relatively safe if you are caffeine sensitive.
Green Tea:
Green tea is a favourite among many tea drinkers since it is fresh on the scene yet as old as time. This powerful bitter drink has developed a reputation for having metabolic-boosting qualities and a healthy dose of antioxidants.
Green tea, with a caffeine concentration of 40-50mg per cup, might also be an excellent replacement for your morning coffee.
It is not suggested to steep green tea for more than two minutes. Green tea lovers will know that it may be a touch bitter. Don't be tempted to overbrew, or you'll lose that delicate flavour!
Herbal Tea:
Herbal teas are the tea world's treasure trove. Herbal tea comes in a plethora of flavours that make excellent use of herbs, flowers, and essences. Except for green teas, most herbal teas have no caffeine, making them very refreshing and safe to drink all day.
Night Tea:
Many tea companies provide a nighttime tea mix designed to support a good night's sleep.
Calming elements like lavender and valerian provide the drinker with harmonizing and calming benefits. Check to see whether your nighttime tea contains valerian for a healthy, pleasant nightcap.
