Local tea shops are a cornerstone of the tea world. Indeed, online shops have expanded the availability of incredible teas. Some of my favorite teas are only available online. But finding a local tea shop or tea house has some benefits that an online store cannot offer. So, if you’re lucky enough to live near a local tea shop, here are 4 reason you should check it out!

  1. Be kind to the planet
  2. Support local businesses
  3. Create community
  4. Discover and learn about teas

Be kind to the planet

Shopping locally means that tea shops can order large quantities of tea. The bigger the shipment, the better for the planet. For example, if 100 people ordered a 7 gram sample of tea, that means 100 packages, 100 boxes, lots of air and empty space around the sample, maybe packing materials, and so on. If a tea store is ordering tea, it’s usually in bulk, which greatly reduces the carbon footprint. This is just a very short overview, but between the CO2 levels of freight and air shipping, and the prevalence of 1-or-2-day shipping, it can be much better for the environment to shop locally. Plus, you get extra points if you can walk or ride your bike there!

A tray with a kyusu tea kettle of Japanese green tea and a slice of cake at Umami Café in the Portland Japanese Garden
A tray with a kyusu tea kettle of Japanese green tea and a slice of cake at Umami Café in the Portland Japanese Garden

Support local businesses

It’s a hard time for small businesses. With the upward trend of online shopping, especially with sites like Amazon, local businesses are struggling. In general, these business owners are folks in our community, families that have been there for generations, or someone’s passion project, and they deserve to be supported.

A view of a wall of different Japanese teas (and a person wondering why I'm taking a picture) at Kettl, a tea shop in Brooklyn, New York
A view of a wall of different Japanese teas (and a person wondering why I’m taking a picture) at Kettl, a tea store in Brooklyn, New York

Create community at a local tea shop

Public spaces are important. They help us connect with people, and create new connections. Also, being in community can help our mental health. Whether you’re sitting by yourself, doing some work, in a one-on-one, or in a large group, try sipping tea in public.

A view of my favorite tea house in New York called Té Company
A view of my favorite tea house in New York called Té Company

Discover and learn about teas at a local tea shop

Lastly, one of the best reasons to check out your local tea shop is to try new teas! In general, the folks running the tea shop will have a lot of experience with tea. They can suggest new teas based on your old favorites. Likewise, they may offer tea samples or classes on tea.

A view of a shelf full of tea and the flavor profiles of each tea at Mei Leaf, a tea shop in London
A view of a shelf full of tea and the flavor profiles of each tea at Mei Leaf, a tea store in London

In summary, pull up your favorite search engine and see what your local area offers!