In this shop, tea is not just a hot drink, it is a cultural asset. (Image: PD)
The cold days last a while longer. There is probably nothing left but to warm your hands over a cup of tea. These shops are entirely dedicated to tea culture and offer specialties from all over the world.
Tea is not just a popular hot drink, it is a cultural asset that is thousands of years old. So actually too good to just carelessly hang a bag with chopped leaves in the cup that you bought in the supermarket. Because when properly brewed and prepared, tea with its multitude of varieties and flavors is as diverse and multifaceted as wine.
In these nine tea houses and shops you can find tea specialties from all over the world (and the beautiful shops are also worth a visit just to browse).
1. Teehus Rapperswil
–Over 300 different tea blends can be found in the Teehus Rapperswil. (Image: PD)
The Teehus Rapperswil has over 300 different teas and infusions from all regions of the world on offer. They also offer preparation courses, tastings and tea ceremonies (if the situation allows). The teas can also be ordered through the website.
2. Shui Tang in Zürich
–Meng-Lin Chou has a large range of tea specialties from China, Japan and Taiwan in her shop. (Image: PD)
Carefully selected teas from China, Japan and Taiwan are in Laden Shui Tang available at Spiegelgasse 26 in Zurich’s old town. The owner and tea master Meng-Lin Chou chooses her own teas on site. And she also introduces traditional tea ceremonies in her shop. The range can also be ordered via the online shop.
3. Länggass tea in Bern
The Lange family is fully committed to tea: They have been running for almost 40 years the Länggass-Tee shop in Bern. It has now become a vivid company. And all of the specialist knowledge that they have acquired on their annual trips to the local producers is passed on in their tea school with courses, tasting seminars and ceremonies.
4. Teehaus Winterthur
–The Teehaus Winterthur has a wide range of organic teas. (Image: PD)
The Tea house on Steinberggasse in Winterthur has been offering tea lovers from everyday teas to rarities from all over the world for more than 25 years. A large part of the range comes from organic farming. And the right tea set can also be found in the tea house. The products are also available online.
5. L’art du thé in Lucerne
–The L’art du thé boutique in Lucerne. (Image: PD)
This shop really deserves the name boutique. Not only is there high quality tea here, but also the beautiful shop of The art of tea is well worth a visit. The teas on offer are carefully selected by the owner Barbara Vogel-Häfliger and packaged in the company’s own production facility in Ballwil, so that the varieties are available in bulk as well as in bags. The teas can also be bought in the online shop.
6. Sirocco in Schmerikon
More than 100 years ago, Alfons Kuster founded a coffee roastery on the Obersee. It wasn’t until his great-grandson Ralph Grüniger came up with the idea of making tea many years later. But the Sirocco-Tees quickly made a name for themselves and are meanwhile also sold in various delicatessen shops. The tea can also be bought directly on site in Schmerikon, or it can be ordered online.
7. House of Tea in Ascona
–The Casa del Tè shop in the Galleria Carrà in Ascona. (Image: PD)
On Monte Verità above Ascona, tea can be experienced in its entirety: Here you can enjoy the Tea House Not only can you taste different teas and experience traditional tea ceremonies, tea is even grown in a small plantation on Monte Verità. The tea house is closed due to the current situation, but the associated shop in the Galleria Carrà in Ascona is still open.
8. Teekult in Winterthur
–200 types of tea and ceramics by Mary Rose Young can be found at Teekult in Winterthur. (Image: PD)
Im Laden Teekult In the old town of Winterthur you can get more than 200 exquisite teas open or in bags. You will also find ceramics by the English artist potter Mary Rose Young, whose pieces are famous all over the world. Various individual items are available in the shop, only a few in the online shop.
9. La Cucina Tea & Spices in Bern and Zurich
–In addition to its own tea blends, La Cucina Tea & Spices also has special spice creations on offer. (Image: PD)
The beginning of La Cucina tea & spices was a stand on the market in Bern, where Lukas Vögeli sold his own tea and spice mixes. Around 30 years later, the company has four shops in Bern, Zurich and Schüpfen, but the fascination for special tea blends that are created in the production facility in Schüpfen is still the same.
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