What began as one woman's search for meaning became a mission to share the world's most remarkable teas with those who appreciate genuine craft.
In 2011, Ana Cristina Vega was a successful corporate attorney in Madrid, drowning in fourteen-hour days and weekend contracts. Her health was suffering. Her relationships were strained. On the advice of a friend, she took an uncharacteristic three weeks off and traveled to Taiwan—a place she had never considered visiting.
There, in the mountains outside Taipei, she stumbled into a tea house run by an elderly couple who had been producing high-mountain oolong for three generations. They invited her to stay for a week and learn their craft.
"That week in the mountains did not solve all my problems. But it showed me that the quality of our daily moments matters more than the quantity of our achievements."
The high-altitude gardens where our journey began
Ana returned to Madrid transformed. She resigned from her firm within six months. She spent the next year traveling—to Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka—learning from tea masters and small-scale producers who had devoted their lives to this ancient craft.
Casa del Té opened its doors in 2012, initially as a small shop in the Malasaña neighborhood. Today, we serve clients throughout Spain and across Europe, but our mission remains unchanged: to connect thoughtful people with teas that can genuinely improve their daily lives.
How We Source
We do not work with large distributors or commodity brokers. Every tea in our collection comes from a producer we have personally visited. We understand their methods, their challenges, and their vision for their craft.
This direct relationship allows us to guarantee quality at levels impossible through conventional supply chains. It also ensures fair compensation for the farmers and artisans whose work makes ours possible.
We currently maintain direct partnerships with seventeen family-run tea gardens across five countries. Some have been with us since the beginning. Others we have added as we discovered producers whose values align with our own.
Our Principles
We believe that the search for exceptional tea is inseparable from ethical business practices. These principles guide every decision we make.
Direct trade relationships with all producers—no anonymous supply chains
Payment of prices that sustain families and support community investment
Transparency about origins, processing methods, and testing results
Environmental stewardship and support for organic cultivation practices
Education that empowers customers to prepare tea with skill and confidence
Quality inspection is performed on every incoming batch
12Years of Experience
17Partner Gardens
5Countries Sourced
8,400+Happy Customers
The Team Behind Your Cup
While Ana Cristina remains our guiding vision, Casa del Té has grown into a small team of dedicated tea enthusiasts. Our buyer, Miguel, travels to origin countries three times per year. Our tea specialist, Lucia, answers every customer inquiry personally. Our logistics coordinator, Tomás, ensures that your order arrives fresh and intact.
We are small by design. Large companies can offer lower prices through economies of scale. We offer something different: genuine expertise, personal attention, and teas selected with care rather than spreadsheets.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
Explore our current collections and find the perfect tea for your journey.
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