The Best Gifts for Tea Lovers, According to Tea Sommeliers

This sampler of teas, recommended by two experts, will allow the curious tea lover in your life to expand their horizons with a mix of citrusy, floral, and sweet varieties sourced from India and Sri Lanka. They’re all caffeinated, so best to give them to someone who doesn’t mind the buzz.

These pretty, not overly saccharine sugar crystals look like actual gemstones and are ideal for sweetening tea without overpowering the taste. This would make such a nice companion gift to anyone you give actual tea to.

This all-in-one tea-brewing mug, a gift idea courtesy of tea consultantSara Shacket, will allow them to brew loose-leaf tea directly into a personal vessel with a strainer that sits directly inside. It comes in a range of colors so you can be sure to find one that suits them perfectly.

There are some beautiful ceramic mug options below, but a glass vessel is also lovely for tea as you can see the color. This one also has double walls, so it won’t get hot to the touch.

The most important thing to consider when storing tea is keeping out air and light — “tea’s biggest enemies,” Blair Bowman, former head of the tea program at Eleven Madison Park, says. Help the person you’re gifting keep their tea fresh with storage containers that are as elegant as they are functional.

This stainless-steel tea scoop has a lovely intricate punchwork design. Your recipient can use it to transfer loose tea to a brewing basket — and thanks to the wide basin, it also works as a caddy for spent tea bags.

For the iced tea lover,barleyis one of the most refreshing types you can drink. Former Strategist staffer Mia Leimkuhler is a fan: “Imagine the taste of a coffee-brown crust on a loaf of chewy artisanal bread and you’ll sort of get the idea,” she says.

If they like mint, Strategist senior writerLiza Corsillorecommends this blend, made up of apple mint, mountain mint, orange mint, peppermint, and spearmint.

Sure, no oneneedsa sand timer to brew their tea, but it would be much more relaxing to use this than your phone. The green sand is for green tea, the black for black, and they run through at three and five minutes respectively.

If they only ever drink tea from store-bought tea bags, a brewing basket will allow their options of tea varieties to broaden infinitely. This one is a tried-and-true model used by Tony Gebely, owner and founder ofTea Epicure, who says his are more than ten years old and show no signs of wear.

This sleek infuser from the MoMA gift store (the best place to shop for fun and unexpected gifts across the board, in my opinion) is another brewing option. It has a little hook that can rest on the edge of mugs and makes it simple to pull out when steeping time is up.

Yet another infusing option (because there’s one for every occasion): these biodegradable tea bags from Brooklyn-based company Bellocq. Even if they already own a reusable version like the one above, these will come in handy for making more than one cup at a time when company is overandfor brewing on the go.

A casual or fanatic tea drinker might enjoy learning more about the world of tea from this well-designed and informative volume (with drawings fromNYTbest-selling illustrator Wendy MacNaughton). It gives historical tidbits and fun facts about different types, plus helpful brewing tips and recipes so they can better enjoy the tea-drinking experience.

Another fancy sugar option for the recipient who takes their tea sweetened and also appreciates a playful gift, these sugar pieces are shaped like tiny teapots — almost too adorable to dissolve.

Tea andhoneyare, of course, a classic pairing, so anyone who takes their cup sweet will appreciate a high-quality jar (especially one in such a pretty bottle). This honey has notes of lemon blossom and jasmine.

As forto-go mugs, it doesn’t get better than Zojirushi’s, which has fantastic temperature control (whether hot or cold) and a slim, sleek, and lightweight body.

This cold-brew maker, which can also be used to steep iced tea, comes recommended by Elena Liao, the co-founder ofTé Company. She especially appreciates how tightly the lid of this one fits, which allows it to be stored sideways in the fridge for space, as well as taken along for picnics.

Strategist senior editorWinnie Yangis a regular oolong drinker but avoids caffeine at night, so in the evening she turns to this blend that includes peppermint, calendula, and oat tops among other ingredients. “It’s delicious and possibly the reason I was unaffected by my allergies — thanks to the nettle — for the first time this year,” she says.

A less obvious gift, but shortbread is the perfect cookie to pair with tea: not overly sweet and with a buttery-crisp texture that begs to be washed down with a refreshing sip.Laurie Pellicano(formerly of San Francisco’s famed Tartine) bakes many different kinds that are downright delicious and beautifully packaged to boot.

To venture even further out of the box, consider this set of tea-scented erasers shaped like boxes of tea. They’d make adorable stocking stuffers for anyone who has a daily cup.

Or opt for a classic blend from this London department store. It’s been selling this tea since 1909, after first mixing Flowery Pekoe from Sri Lanka and Assam teas for King Edward in 1902. And for what it’s worth,Paul Feigis a huge fan, saying it’s the only variety of decaf he has found that tastes as full as a black tea.

This sweet striped sugar bowl is counter-worthy (and it comes in three other colors, so you can decide which one best suits your recipient).

A ceramic milk pitcher would also make a lovely gift. This one from Farmhouse Pottery is a classic, with a smooth glaze covering most of the top and the company’s signature unfinished bottom. There’s a petite size and a small size (pictured), both of which I think would work well.

This set, recommended by certified tea sommelierMel Hattie, includes everything they’ll need to brew tea in the classic Chinese method of gong fu cha: a porcelain teapot, four tasting cups, a bamboo tray, and tea pliers, all packaged up in a sweet compact travel bag.

Opt for this set of classic Taiwanese varieties from a beloved NYC shop. There are several oolongs plus a black, along with cards that give information on tasting notes for each so they can learn as they sip.

This recommendation comes courtesy ofBen Gibbard: a clever foldable electric kettle he and his wife use while on tour. It compresses down so you can throw it in a bag and then brew your own tea wherever you are.

Sure, they could stir their tea with a regular kitchen spoon, but this modern colored glass set will make it all the more enjoyable. The handles are long, so the spoon would also work well to stir sugar into an iced-tea pitcher.

This glass and stainless-steel cold-brew-maker works just as well for tea as it does forcoffeeand therefore makes an exceptionally thoughtful gift for anyone in your life who takes their liquid caffeine in both forms. It brews four cups at a time.

The tea lover who often serves to a crowd should have a larger pot. “You want to give the tea leaves room to breathe and move,” says tea expertKathy YL Chan, which is exactly what this glass model does (a stainless-steel filter catches the bits and pieces right before they exit the spout).

While it’s sized more for the individual, Strategist deals editorSam Dalysays this porcelain tea pot with a built-in infuser is also great. It comes in ten colors so you can pick the one most suited to your recipient.

A tea cozy will keep their kettle — and the tea inside — warmer for longer. It’s a nice accessory for someone who likes to sip over the course of a morning or afternoon.

Kettl hasmany varieties of high-end matchato browse, but this one comes from a producer who has been milling for five generations. It has a sweet and nutty profile with balanced umami — and is an especially vibrant green.

Yes, this is called a coffee canister — but it’s also good for keeping loose-leaf tea super-fresh, a must for anyone who buys in bulk. The stainless-steel container prevents air, light, and heat from affecting the leaves and degrading their potency.

This Dansk butter warmer is the perfect size for gently warming up milk on the stovetop. I think all the pieces the iconic company makes feel especially giftable with their gorgeous color options, smooth rounded edges, and wood details.

There’s nothing better than having a pitcher full of iced tea on a hot summer’s day — and this sweet bee-studded one makes a statement without looking over the top. (There aretumblersto match if you want to throw in something extra to take your gift over the top, though.)

If they like frothed milk (especially nice in something like chai, which has a real depth to the body), the NanoFoamer is a super-powerful handheldmilk frotherthat, according to two pros, creates a café-quality consistency. A combination of this plus the two previous gifts would make a really stellar DIY bundle.

They can never have too many mugs, and this one from East Fork is a personal favorite of mine. The handle is supremely comfortable to grip and the thick walls help tea stay warm longer than many other mugs I’ve used.

This mug — patterned but not over the top — is so pretty.

Consider this classic porcelain cup and saucer from Spode, adorned in their signature (and extremely intricate) blue-and-white design.

Finally, I love this stackable option from Hasami. The mugs come in three sizes and various colors — but all fit together in a streamlined tower so they’re super easy to store.

When it comes tomatcha, we also love Ippodo’s varieties, which are recommended by multiple experts. The Ummon in particular is earthy and creamy, saysKarina Hoshikawa, a senior writer at Refinery29 and avid matcha drinker.

This set comes from California-based Flowerhead Tea, which sources many of its leaves and flowers from farms around the state. The bags here are loose-leaf mate, hojicha, and red rooibos — though the company also sells well-designed boxes of tea bags if they prefer to brew that way.

Strategist writerKitty Guohas tried a lot of chais (her go-to coffee-shop order) to find one she loves brewing at home. Herbs & Kettles is the winner. She especially loves the masala, but she has tried them all and thinks this gift box is nice for a present. They’re not “so strong that they’re overpowering,” she says. “But the spice definitely hits the back of your throat when you take a sip.” Plus all the tea is single origin and sourced from small, sustainable farmers across India.

If their tea cabinet looks anything like mine (brimming with half-full boxes of tea varieties stacked precariously on top of each other), they could probably use an organizer. This wooden one is simple and sophisticated — a nice way to present guests with tea options, too.

I use this beautiful glassvesselall winter long and think it would make the perfect upgrade for anyone who also brews tea via French press but has a less aesthetically pleasing model. It’s elegantly thin but somehow still heavier-weight than it looks, so it feels high-quality to pour from.

If their go-to shop order is a matcha but they don’t have an at-home setup, help them get started with this kit from New York–based company and café Chalait. It includes all the accessories they need: a matcha scoop, bowl, whisk, and whisk stand (so the bamboo doesn’t wear over time). Bonus points if you gift them atin of powderto go along with it.

While I recommended two more affordable strainers above, this admittedly expensive one is a handcrafted piece any serious tea drinker will likely be thrilled to own. It comes from Kettl (maker of one of the teas above) and is simply beautiful, twisted in an intricate pattern from sturdy stainless steel.

I’ve long admired Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s glass work — and this playful yet sophisticated sugar bowl is no exception. It comes with a teaspoon for doling out the perfect scoop.

Or consider this stovetop option from one of our favorite brands, Hario. Like the Fellow, below, it has a gooseneck spout for streamlined pouring — but because it’s stovetop rather than electric, it’s more affordable. I also love the copper color and wood knob, which make it a bit higher-end than the standard stainless steel one.

If they’re the type who brews a cup of tea and then forgets, letting it sit out to get cold, the Ember Mug will allow them to reheat directly in the vessel they’re drinking from without using a microwave or maintain a hot temperature while it’s kept on the base. It heats between 120 and 145 degrees in one-degree increments so they can choose exactly what tastes ideal to them.

This teacup and saucer set, handmade in Korea, is especially elegant.

I recommend these coasters forcoffee lovers, too — and that’s because they’re simply the best. The merino wool absorbs any condensation or drips (instead of pooling off the surface) and the tray keeps them looking neat on your coffee table or desk while not in use.

This is one of my own most-coveted kitchen items, a classic design from Italian brand Alessi (which also makes one of our favoritewine openersand an unexpectedly elegantcitrus peeler). It’s not cheap, but if you’re willing to splurge for the tea lover in your life, it’s something they’ll be so happy to keep displayed on their stovetop.

For tea beginners who are unsure about setting exact temperatures (yes, even a few degrees can make a difference in letting the flavors of particular kinds shine through), Shacket likes that thiskettlehas simple presets for black, white, green, oolong, and delicate teas.

A perennial good gift, the Stagg EKG is the very best (and best-looking)electric kettleon the market. It boasts a gooseneck spout for precise pouring and exact temperature control, and you can pick from a range of classy finishes in mattes and metallics to best fit the vibe of your recipient.

Though it’s a bit more outside the box,Alaya Teaco-founder Esha Chhabra gave the idea of gifting a top-tier stainless-steel pot because “the best chai is made over the stove,” she says. I’ll also note that this is how I brew big-batch iced tea in the hotter months. Depending on how much you want to make at a time, a two- or three-quart should be the right size.