Let's face it - your Breville Smart Tea Infuser is a marvel of precision brewing, but it's only as remarkable as what you put into it. We've discovered some intriguing tea brands that deserve more attention, each bringing something distinctive to your daily ritual. From flower-based infusions to small-batch herbal blends, these selections might just change how you think about tea.
's Flowery Gift Set - From Farmers Market Camper to Tea Innovator
In the world of artisanal tea, Big Heart Tea Co. stands out for their refreshingly straightforward approach. Their Flowery Gift Set features three organic herbal teas that showcase what happens when traditional herbs meet modern sensibilities.
The company's journey from a vintage camper at St. Louis farmers' markets to a full-fledged tea operation reads like an indie success story. Founder Lisa Govro's commitment to direct sourcing means each ingredient has a clear path from farm to cup. Their turmeric-based Cup of Sunshine, for instance, reveals layers of earthiness and subtle spice notes when brewed at precise temperatures - exactly what your Breville excels at managing.
Why we like Big Heart Tea Co.
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Farm-Direct Sourcing
Direct relationships with farmers ensure quality and transparency
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Organic Certification
All teas are certified organic and ethically sourced
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Innovative Blends
Creative combinations that respect traditional herbs while offering modern twists
's Coral Tumbler - Where 15th Century Craft Meets Modern Design
BORNN's enamelware tumblers are what happens when centuries-old manufacturing techniques collide with contemporary aesthetics. Their coral and soft pink tumbler, accented with an electric blue rim, transforms your tea ritual into something that belongs in an art gallery.
These pieces emerge from a painstaking process where glass fuses with heavy-gauge steel. Two sisters with creative backgrounds founded BORNN to preserve local craftsmanship, and it shows - each tumbler features unique marbling patterns created through traditional kiln firing. The enamel coating isn't just for looks; it helps maintain your tea's temperature while you savor it.
Why we like BORNN
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Artisanal Craftsmanship
Each piece is handcrafted using traditional techniques
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Temperature Retention
Enamel coating maintains optimal tea temperature
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Unique Patterns
Every tumbler features one-of-a-kind marbling designs
's Supertwist Loose Leaf Green Tea - Brooklyn's Answer to Traditional Tea
In a borough known for reinvention, Dona has managed to bring something new to the centuries-old world of green tea. Their Supertwist Loose Leaf Green Tea, sourced from Assam, demonstrates how traditional tea varieties can be approached with fresh eyes.
Amy Rothstein's Brooklyn-based operation takes sustainability seriously - they compost spent leaves and food scraps, creating a closed-loop system that extends beyond just ethical sourcing. Their in-house production methods yield consistent results, while their focus on complex flavor profiles makes every cup an exploration of what green tea can be.
Why we like Dona
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Sustainable Practices
Closed-loop composting system for minimal waste
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Complex Flavors
Carefully crafted profiles that enhance traditional tea varieties
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Local Production
In-house methods ensure consistency and quality control
's Matcha Duo - When Tech Founders Turn to Tea
There's something fascinating about what happens when tech industry veterans decide to shake up the tea world. Firebelly Tea, founded by DavidsTea co-founder David Segal and Shopify president Harley Finkelstein, approaches matcha with both reverence and innovation. Their Matcha Duo pairs traditional ceremonial-grade matcha with a citrusy yuzu variant.
We appreciate their no-nonsense stance on ingredients - you won't find artificial flavors or mystery preservatives here. Even their packaging tells a story of thoughtful design, being fully compostable. Their focus on proper brewing education suggests they understand that great tea is as much about process as it is about ingredients.
Why we like Firebelly Tea
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Pure Ingredients
No artificial flavors or preservatives
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Sustainable Packaging
Fully compostable packaging solutions
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Educational Focus
Emphasis on proper brewing techniques and tea education
's Nettle Blend - When a Naturopathic Doctor Creates Tea
Leave it to a board-certified naturopathic doctor to create a tea line that bridges the gap between wellness and pleasure. Dr. Maria Geyman's Masha Tea offers a nettle blend that challenges what we expect from herbal infusions.
The brand's philosophy hinges on the idea that visual beauty enhances therapeutic value - a refreshing departure from purely functional wellness products. Each blend reflects a deep understanding of traditional healing practices, transformed into something that fits seamlessly into contemporary life.
Why we like Masha Tea
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Expert Formulation
Created by a board-certified naturopathic doctor
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Therapeutic Focus
Blends that combine wellness benefits with visual appeal
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Traditional Wisdom
Incorporates time-tested healing practices
's Fez - Portland's Take on Moroccan Tradition
In Oregon's craft-obsessed Portland, Smith Teamaker has created something unexpected with their Fez blend. By combining green tea, spearmint, and lemon myrtle, they've captured the essence of Moroccan tea culture while adding their own Pacific Northwest twist.
Their relationships with global tea suppliers yield consistently high-quality ingredients, while their experimental approach to traditional styles keeps things interesting. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing - the kind of attention to detail that makes tea enthusiasts take notice.
Why we like Smith Teamaker
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Quality Control
Rigorous testing for each batch
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Global Sourcing
Strong relationships with international tea suppliers
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Creative Innovation
Traditional styles reimagined with local influence
's FLOWER POWER Set - Whole Flower Tea Gets Its Moment
The Qi turns tea drinking into performance art with their FLOWER POWER Set. These whole flower infusions create a visual spectacle as they unfurl in hot water - it's like watching a time-lapse nature documentary in your cup.
Lisa Li's vision involves working directly with small family farms to source hand-picked, organic flowers. The brand draws from Eastern healing traditions but presents them in a thoroughly modern way. Each flower tells its own story, both visually and in terms of flavor.
Why we like The Qi
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Visual Experience
Whole flowers create a stunning brewing display
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Direct Sourcing
Partnerships with small family farms
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Eastern Traditions
Modern presentation of traditional healing practices
's Renew Blend - Connecting Portland to Global Tea Traditions
True Tea's Renew Blend demonstrates how Portland's tea scene extends far beyond local boundaries. Their herbal profile featuring Moroccan Mint offers a fresh take on traditional recipes, while maintaining connections to the farmers who grow their ingredients.
The company's focus on building direct relationships with environmentally conscious farms shows in the quality of their offerings. Their approach to creating healthier alternatives to highly caffeinated drinks has resulted in blends that feel both familiar and novel. Each carefully sourced ingredient contributes to an experience that honors tea traditions while embracing modern sensibilities.
Why we like True Tea
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Global Connections
Strong relationships with international farmers
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Environmental Focus
Partnerships with eco-conscious producers
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Balanced Blends
Thoughtful alternatives to high-caffeine beverages
Where Tea Meets Tomorrow
These eight brands represent different paths forward for tea culture, each carving out its own niche in the space between tradition and innovation. Whether you're drawn to whole flower infusions, small-batch herbals, or reimagined classics, these selections offer new ways to explore what tea can be. Your Breville Smart Tea Infuser's precise temperature controls and steeping times can help unlock the distinct character of each blend.