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About Smith Teamaker

Steven Smith Teamaker, founded in 2009 by the visionary tea entrepreneur Steven Smith, is a Portland-based company renowned for its exquisite and uniquely crafted teas. Born in 1949, Smith was inspired by his grandmother's Red Rose tea and later became a pivotal figure in popularizing tea in the coffee-centric Pacific Northwest. After successfully founding Stash Tea in 1972 and Tazo Tea in 1994, Smith embarked on his third and final tea venture, driven by a passion for quality and provenance. The company is now led by his wife, Kim DeMent Smith, and a dedicated team of tea enthusiasts, ensuring that Smith's legacy continues to thrive.

Standout Features

Commitment to Provenance and Quality

Smith Teamaker stands out for its meticulous attention to the origin and quality of its ingredients. Each tea blend is crafted with precision, using the finest teas and botanicals sourced from long-standing relationships with growers, exporters, and tea brokers in India, China, Sri Lanka, and Africa. The company's commitment to provenance is evident in the detailed information provided on every ingredient, accessible through batch numbers on their website.

Unique Blending Process

The blending process at Smith Teamaker is an art form. Inspired by moments such as the flavor of a nicely aged cask of merlot or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the team creates blends that are perfected over decades of experience. Tony Tellin, the head buyer, plays a crucial role in selecting rare and high-quality teas, often bidding on exclusive lots to ensure the best flavors. This process involves a rigorous evaluation of leaf size, liquor, and flavor notes, making each blend a masterpiece.

Innovative and Artisanal Approach

Smith Teamaker is known for its innovative and artisanal approach to tea-making. The company experiments with unique methods such as scenting teas in whiskey, bourbon, and rum barrels, and creating smoked teas. This unorthodox approach sets them apart from larger, more conventional tea brands and appeals to those seeking a distinctive tea experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes Smith Teamaker unique?

Smith Teamaker is unique due to its commitment to provenance, quality, and innovative blending processes. The company sources the finest teas and botanicals from around the world and provides detailed information about each ingredient, ensuring transparency and trust with its customers.

How do you source your teas?

Smith Teamaker sources its teas from long-standing relationships with growers, exporters, and tea brokers in India, China, Sri Lanka, and Africa. The head buyer, Tony Tellin, rigorously evaluates each tea to ensure the highest quality.

What is the significance of batch numbers on your teas?

Each box of Smith Teamaker tea carries a batch number that leads consumers to the company's website, where they can find detailed information about the origin and ingredients of their tea. This practice underscores the company's commitment to transparency and provenance.

How do you ensure the quality of your teas?

The quality of Smith Teamaker teas is ensured through a meticulous blending process involving rigorous evaluation of leaf size, liquor, and flavor notes. The team compares each blend against an archived library of blends to achieve the perfect flavor profile.

What happens to the company after Steven Smith's passing?

After Steven Smith's passing in 2015, his wife, Kim DeMent Smith, took over the leadership of the company. The team continues to uphold Smith's legacy, maintaining the high standards and innovative spirit that define Smith Teamaker.