Tea culture is thriving in the western world, and a number of specialised tea retailers exist to cater to a growing number of tea drinkers. Many large cities and geographical centres have specialised tea shops, and some retailers sell tea and coffee products together in dedicated establishments, such as coffee grinder products and espresso machines. Along with an increasing number of real-world stores around the world, there is also a growing number of online tea retailers who are dedicated to supplying people with the very best tea and tea accessories that money can buy. There are lots of different tea related products that people can purchase from these stores, from particular tea bags and leaf tea varieties through to designer teapots and tea caddies.
The tea industry has always been strong in the western world, ever since the first tea leaves came over from Asia in the 17th century. However, the rise of gourmet culture in the last couple of decades has given birth to a new kind of tea lover, with a refined level of taste and the desire to select among a variety of different tea leaves and products. People are no longer happy simply buying their tea from the local supermarket, and want to have access to more choices and a greater selection of tea related accessories. There are six main types of tea in the world that originate from the Camellia sinensis plant: black, green, oolong, white, yellow, and pu-erh. Speciality tea retailers are able to carry all of these varieties, along with a range of different tea storage and preparation equipment.
Tea can be processed in a variety of different ways, and is classified accordingly depending on the techniques of its production and processing. It can also be blended in a variety of ways, and sometimes added to with additional plant matter from other species. Speciality tea stores are able to easily explore these variations, which consumers are coming to desire more and more each day. Other products available through specialist retailers include herbal tea varieties, tea storage containers and caddies, steeping equipment, tea infusers, and a selection of designer tea cups and mugs. As global gourmet food and beverage culture continues to expand around the world, more specialised tea stores are likely to pop up in both offline and online environments.