I am frequently asked: “Where do you get your tea?” and “What makes your tea special?” [updated for 2026]
QUALI-tea:
Traveling Tea sources from nearly twenty different suppliers to curate a variety of quality loose leaf teas from the primary tea producing regions of the world: China, India, Japan, Indonesia, and Nepal. Some of our suppliers are established retail sources (Art of Tea, Tea Source, Zhi Tea), others are strictly wholesalers. Our selection is primarily organic, and fair trade whenever that option is available, because organic and fair trade practices are important to me. Additionally, I continually search out new sources for the best quality teas based upon your requests.
In 2015 I began working with an intermediary (or broker), Tealet, to Direct Source high quality, hand-crafted teas from smaller families and estates that use practices in alignment with our mission to “Keep the World Safe for Tea Enthusiasts”. In recent years I have been fortunate to meet other buyers who also travel to the tea fields.
We value organic practices and worker ethics, and are currently able to offer speci
alty teas from India, Japan, and Indonesia thanks to the relationships we have cultivated. We also reformulated our popular Iced Tea Blend late in 2016 so that we could use more of the teas that help small landholders in northern India & Assam; so when you enjoy & share our Heritage Iced Tea Blend know you are fostering security in an area that very much needs it.
I forge relationships with others who can do what I would do if I had the resources and connections to do the traveling. They travel to the farms and estates, vet the teas, and make sure the farmers are really doing what they say in regards to worker care and environmental concerns.
SAFE-tea:
We do not buy teas that have synthetic flavors [Due to changes in food labeling laws, teas sourced from Europe that have “natural flavor” must now be labeled as “Artificial flavors”]. The majority of our “flavored” teas are free from gluten and soy lecithin. If we are not certain, it will be stated on our menu and website, but please also inquire so that we can be aware when suggesting teas for you.
Many of our cu
stom blends use no flavorings at all (safe for those concerned about gluten and how flavorings are derived) unless a flavored tea is used as a foundation.
In 2020 we added an additional packaging table so any teas that may possibly contain gluten are kept totally separate from the rest. We have a section on our Shopping Site specifically for Gluten-Safe teas.
We are also very aware of Alpha-gal concerns and the very few teas that we have not been able to verify as having only plant-based flavorings are also packaged on the separate table, keeping the main packing table, scale, and scoops free from any uncertain allergens. When browsing our brochure or menu, please avoid all teas that are indicated as NGS (Not gluten safe) as that indicates it has been packed on the smaller table.
VARIE-tea & Convenience:
Our per ounce prices may seem high in some instances, because we buy in small quantities to retain freshness, and repackage in even smaller quantities (1 and 2 oz packages, but larger sizes are available) – so you can affordably enjoy a variety of quality teas. I have to factor in the carrying cost to keep this variety available on hand to have it when you want it. Prepayment discounts available for special orders of 8oz and 1# quantities when we do not have that much in stock.
Thanks to your continued support we now offer bulk pricing on most teas, when you bring your own container in to be filled. We can also pack your tea into easily home-compostable paper bags upon request.
COMMUNI-tea:
Though tea itself does not grow locally, we support other local businesses with our supply purchases; for example – heat sleeves from Sleeve-a-Message, honey from local bee keepers, ice and milks from local grocers (Schnucks/Dierbergs), cleaning supplies from Local Harvest Grocery, River City Nutrition, and The Refill Effect to name a few. Scheidt Hardware in Maplewood is my go-to for lightbulbs, furnace filters and other hardware odds and ends. Almost all of our printed materials are produced by The Ink Spot on Hampton Ave.
We regularly purchase lavender from Long Row Lavender in Wright City. Occasionally we make some special seasonal custom blends from time to time using other ingredients from local farmers.
When you choose Traveling Tea you can rest assured that your money is flowing through your local community in as many ways as we can find possible.
INTEGRI-tea:
Because of my commitment to quality and integrity, I frequently pay more for supplies and ingredients than many other start-up businesses (compostable, organic, recycled & recyclable options since Day 1).
The business has grown slowly over the past 15 years, as I worked a nearly full-time job to pay my own personal bills. Thus, we had limited shop hours. Now that I have retired from the “day job” I have kept the limited hours so that I can take care of personal business and outside shop errands on those off days. There is still not (yet) enough sales volume to pay employees to keep the store open 5-6 days.
We have maintained the same hours since 2021 and I would rather be able to have firm, fixed hours that I can meet (in case of employee emergencies) rather than being haphazard. We also offer Sunday deliveries up to 15 miles from the shop.
Most of you have been very supportive of my limitations and shared that it is as important to you as it is to me that I stay in business in the long-term rather than trying to be too much too fast. Thank you!
I GREATLY appreciate your continued support and spreading the word about us. My hope now, is that I can add employees and/or partnerships that will allow us to offer more services and be at more events
, and whatever else YOU want to see in a tea shop.
What my customers are saying:
“I can’t go back to drinking what I was before. Your tea is so flavorful!”
“I only use your tea for my chai.”
“I appreciate the tea-specific steeping instructions.”
“You’ve shown me how to appreciate green tea.”
“The Trial/Travel sizes are perfect!”
“Best tea shop in St Louis.”
“Fantastic selection!”
THANK YOU FOR SHARING GOOD TEA!