Our Story
Té is a New York-based tea company specializing in Taiwanese tea. Founded in 2012 by Elena Liao and Frederico Ribeiro, the company sources exquisite teas directly from small farmers in Taiwan. In addition to an array of loose leaf tea, Té is known for its exceptional tea snacks, including the beloved Pineapple Linzer.
Our tearoom is located in the historic district of West Village in Manhattan. Visitors can sample and purchase a full range of teas and snacks in the brownstone walkup. Our products are also available for domestic shipping via our website. In addition, a small selection can be found at a few trusted retail partners.
The Name
The name of our tea company, “Té,” comes from the word for “tea” in Taiwanese Hokkien, a Chinese dialect originating from coastal Southern Fujian. It is a dialect spoken by over 70% of the population in Taiwan. Its origin traces back to the Hoklo people, who descended from southern Fujian during the Qing dynasty and migrated to Taiwan generations ago.
Bringing Loose Leaf Tea to You
Good quality loose full-leaf teas are scarce in the US – even in a city as culturally diverse as New York City. Most people have limited exposure to anything beyond grocery store tea bags. We want to bring a different perspective to teatime. We source quality teas from small farmers and showcase them in an authentic and friendly atmosphere, preserving the integrity of the teamakers' craft.
What About Taiwanese Teas?
Taiwanese oolong is the darling of the tea world. Taiwan specializes in oolong tea – the production of which requires highly skilled tea makers with centuries of experience. The tea trade first came to Taiwan from Fujian in China, a province known for its oolongs. Taiwan went through half a century of Japanese occupation, which brought scientific precision to the traditional teamaking craft. Less than 1% of the world’s tea production comes from Taiwan and historically the best product is kept domestically.
Luckily, one of our owners is of Taiwanese origin! We spend countless hours researching, building relationships, and visiting tea producers to create a tea selection comparable to the finest local Taiwanese tea shops.
Our Treats
No teatime is complete without complementary sweets! We take inspiration from traditional Chinese pastry to bring you an array of delicious tea snacks. Our iconic Pineapple Linzer cookies, a reimagined version of the famous Taiwanese Pineapple Cake, is a prime example. Like good teas, handmade Asian treats are hard to come by in the States. We combine traditional methods with the best local ingredients to create delicious and nostalgic companions to complete your teatime.
