Upton Tea Imports
Upton Tea Imports is a privately held US specialty tea importer (founded 1989) that sources 400+ loose leaf teas directly from estates in 15+ countries and sells them via a Shopify direct-to-consumer storefront, targeting health-conscious consumers, tea connoisseurs, and gift shoppers with subscription and loyalty programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersHopkinton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Upton Tea Imports does
Upton Tea Imports is a US-based specialty loose leaf tea importer and direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer founded in 1989 and headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. The company sources teas directly from estates and gardens across more than 15 countries — including India, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, Nepal, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, Colombia, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, and South Africa — and offers a catalog of more than 400 varieties spanning black, green, oolong, white, pu-erh, herbal, rooibos, purple, and flavored teas, alongside single-estate and limited-lot selections, organic certified options (USDA), and decaffeinated SKUs processed via CO2. Distribution is almost exclusively through the Shopify-powered uptontea.com storefront, with global shipping supported (free on orders over $75).
The company monetizes across five revenue streams: direct sales of loose leaf teas (entry prices around $4.75, premium offerings above $75), teaware and accessories (teapots, kettles, infusers, tins, scales, thermometers, ceremony supplies), sweeteners and specialty items (honey, jam, marmalade, books), gift certificates, and the Subscribe & Steep subscription program for recurring orders. Customer engagement is supported by a Valued Customer Program (reward points redeemable for dollars off future purchases), content marketing via the Just the Leaves blog and Tea Quarterly publication, staff-curated favorites, and email/newsletter campaigns with a 10% new-subscriber discount. Product offerings are also organized into a Wellness Blends line targeting specific functional use cases (Mind and Memory, Less Stress, Digestion, Energy, Immunity, Bedtime), and a gifting assortment of samplers and gift sets.
Upton Tea Imports is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity, operating with 11-50 employees and emphasizing personal expert tasting and approval as its quality-control mechanism. There are no disclosed management team entries, leadership changes, acquisitions, or restructurings in the supplied data, indicating a stable, founder/owner-operated specialty retailer rather than a venture-backed growth company.
Upton Tea Imports firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Upton Tea Imports
- Legal name
- Upton Tea Imports
- Website
- https://uptontea.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Upton Tea Imports is a privately held US specialty tea importer (founded 1989) that sources 400+ loose leaf teas directly from estates in 15+ countries and sells them via a Shopify direct-to-consumer storefront, targeting health-conscious consumers, tea connoisseurs, and gift shoppers with subscription and loyalty programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Upton Tea Imports industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Loose Leaf Tea Retail
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods (5190)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tea (Leaf, Bagged, Instant, Concentrates) (CRADAHAE), Tea Blending & Flavoring (AFAFADAG), Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ)
Keywords
Where Upton Tea Imports is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hopkinton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Upton Tea Imports business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales - Tea: Direct sales of loose leaf teas across multiple categories (black, green, oolong, white, pu-erh, herbal, rooibos, purple) with prices ranging from approximately $4.75 to over $75 per product.
- Product Sales - Teaware & Accessories: Sales of teapots, electric kettles, tea cups, mugs, scales, thermometers, infusers, filters, tins, bags, cosies, spoons, ceremony supplies, and iced tea accessories.
- Product Sales - Sweeteners & Specialty Items: Sales of honey, jam, marmalade, and books related to tea.
- Subscription Program: Subscribe & Steep program for recurring tea orders.
- Gift Certificates: Sale of gift certificates for tea products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single product purchases with volume-based pricing |
| Subscription | One time | New customer acquisition |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Upton Tea Imports product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Upton Tea Imports is a direct-to-consumer online and mail-order retailer selling more than 400 varieties of premium loose leaf teas (black, green, oolong, white, pu-erh, herbal, rooibos, purple, flavored, and blended) sourced directly from tea estates worldwide. The company complements its tea catalog with teaware, tea preparation accessories, sweeteners and honey, books, gift certificates, and curated tea samplers, including USDA certified organic and CO2 decaffeinated options.
Product overview
Upton Tea Imports is an online loose leaf tea retailer offering a diverse portfolio of over 400 tea varieties across multiple categories. The core product offerings include black teas (Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling, Kenya, Yunnan), green teas (Japanese sencha, gunpowder, gyokuro, Chinese varieties), white teas, oolong teas, pu-erh teas, rooibos/honeybush, purple teas, and flavored teas including Earl Grey and jasmine-scented varieties. The company provides organic certified and decaffeinated options using CO2 processing. Supporting product lines include single-estate teas, tea samplers for exploration, wellness blends for health purposes, teaware (teapots, kettles, cups), tea accessories (infusers, tins, cosies), and tea-related books and gift certificates. The company emphasizes direct sourcing from estates worldwide with a Valued Customer Program offering reward points.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Black Teas Premium loose leaf black teas sourced from top estates worldwide, including Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling, Kenya, and Yunnan varieties. Sold to individual tea consumers via the online store.
- Green Teas Loose leaf green teas including Japanese sencha, gunpowder, gyokuro, hojicha, genmaicha, and Chinese green teas, processed by steaming or pan-firing to retain green character. Sold to individual tea consumers.
- Herbal Teas (Tisanes) Caffeine-free tisanes made from herbs such as chamomile, mint, ginger, hibiscus, and fruit blends, not derived from Camellia sinensis. Sold to individual consumers seeking caffeine-free and wellness beverages.
- Oolong Teas
- White Teas Delicate loose leaf teas including silver needles, pai mu tan, and white tea varieties from China and Ceylon. Sold to individual consumers seeking mild-flavor teas.
- Pu-Erh Teas Fermented teas from Yunnan province available in Shou (cooked) and Sheng (raw) varieties, known for earthy flavors and complex profiles. Sold to individual tea enthusiasts.
- Rooibos and Honeybush Teas South African caffeine-free redbush tisanes with naturally sweet, nutty character and high antioxidant levels, grown in the Cederberg region. Sold to individual consumers seeking caffeine-free options.
- Purple Teas Rare teas from purple-leaf Camellia sinensis assamica cultivars (Kenya TRFK 306 and Yunnan Zi Juan) with high anthocyanin content. Sold to individual tea enthusiasts seeking rare varieties.
- Flavored Teas Teas enhanced with natural flavors including bergamot (Earl Grey), fruits, spices, chocolate, and floral scenting such as jasmine. Sold to individual consumers.
- Tea Blends House-blended teas including breakfast blends (Scottish, Irish, English), Russian Caravan, and Darjeeling blends. Sold to individual consumers.
- Wellness Blends Curated tisanes and teas supporting wellness goals including bedtime, stress relief, immunity, digestion, energy, and mind/memory. Sold to individual consumers seeking functional beverages.
- Chai Blends Traditional and creative chai blends featuring warming spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. Sold to individual consumers.
- Matcha Products Japanese matcha varieties including competition grade, ceremonial grade, and culinary grade, plus matcha accessories. Sold to individual consumers.
- USDA Certified Organic Loose Leaf Tea USDA certified organic teas across all categories including black, green, white, and herbal varieties. Sold to consumers prioritizing organic certification.
- Decaffeinated Teas Teas decaffeinated using all-natural pure carbon dioxide process, including Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, and green varieties. Sold to consumers seeking low-caffeine options.
- Single-Estate Teas Limited-lot teas from specific estates in single harvest years, offering unique terroir-driven flavor profiles. Sold to tea enthusiasts and collectors.
- Tea Samplers Curated sampling sets allowing customers to try multiple varieties including British Blend, Green Tea, Introduction to Fine Tea, and Premium Oolong samplers. Sold to gift shoppers and exploration-focused consumers.
- Teaware Tea preparation equipment including teapots, electric tea kettles, tea cups and mugs, tea scales, thermometers, and tea gift sets. Sold to individual consumers and gift purchasers.
- Tea Accessories Tea preparation accessories including infusers and filters, tea tins and bags, tea cosies, spoons and scoops, tea ceremony supplies, and iced tea accessories. Sold to individual consumers.
- Sweeteners, Honey, Jam and Marmalade Tea accompaniments including honey varieties (tupelo, autumn cinnamon apple), jams, and marmalades. Sold to individual consumers and gift purchasers.
- Tea-Related Books Books related to tea offered within the Tea Gifts collection. Sold to individual consumers and gift purchasers.
- Gift Certificates Gift certificates redeemable for tea products at Upton Tea Imports. Sold to gift purchasers for personal or corporate gifting.
- Subscribe & Steep Subscription Program Recurring-delivery subscription program for loose leaf tea, allowing customers to set up automatic shipments via the Shopify storefront. Sold to consumers seeking regular tea replenishment.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free shipping on orders over $75
Companies that use Upton Tea Imports
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Upton Tea Imports technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Upton Tea Imports partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Upton Tea Imports competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TeaVivre: Online-first specialty tea importer focused on Chinese single-origin and premium loose-leaf teas sold direct to US/global consumers. Comparable on direct estate sourcing, single-origin curation, and DTC-first go-to-market.
- Arbor Teas: Online specialty tea retailer emphasizing organic, fair-trade, and premium loose-leaf teas with a curated catalog. Direct peer on DTC, organic certification emphasis, and connoisseur positioning.
- Smith Teamaker: Premium specialty tea brand selling loose-leaf teas, blends, and tea-based botanical beverages DTC and through select retail. Comparable on premium positioning, single-origin and blended assortment, and lifestyle branding.
- Harney & Sons: Long-standing US-based specialty tea retailer and wholesaler selling premium loose-leaf teas, sachets, and teaware direct to consumer and through foodservice/gift channels. Closest direct comparable on positioning, assortment depth, and DTC-plus-wholesale model.
- Republic of Tea: Specialty tea brand offering premium bagged and loose-leaf teas, herbal blends, and teaware across DTC and grocery channels. Comparable on premium positioning, wellness blend focus, and breadth of non-tea accessories.
- Adagio Teas: Online specialty tea retailer offering a broad loose-leaf catalog, sampler sets, and customizable blends with a strong subscription/community model. Direct peer in DTC, assortment breadth, and educational content approach.
- Stash Tea: US specialty tea company offering loose-leaf and bagged teas with broad assortment and strong grocery/wholesale presence. Direct peer on assortment breadth, premium positioning, and category coverage across herbal/black/green.
Broad incumbents
- Bigelow Tea: Family-owned US tea manufacturer and brand with broad bagged and loose-leaf offerings sold primarily through grocery. Adjacent competitor with overlapping tea and wellness categories but larger scale and broader channel reach.
- Twinings: One of the world's largest tea brands (owned by Associated British Foods), offering bagged and loose-leaf teas across grocery, foodservice, and DTC globally. Broad incumbent competing for the same category with mass-market scale.
- Celestial Seasonings: Mass-market herbal and specialty tea brand (Hain Celestial), selling bagged teas across grocery and online. Competes with Upton in the wellness/herbal segment with substantially larger distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Upton Tea Imports social profiles
Digital presenceUpton Tea Imports compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Upton Tea Imports financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Upton Tea Imports leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Upton Tea Imports funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Upton Tea Imports M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Upton Tea Imports
What does Upton Tea Imports do?
Upton Tea Imports is a direct-to-consumer online and mail-order retailer selling more than 400 varieties of premium loose leaf teas (black, green, oolong, white, pu-erh, herbal, rooibos, purple, flavored, and blended) sourced directly from tea estates worldwide. The company complements its tea catalog with teaware, tea preparation accessories, sweeteners and honey, books, gift certificates, and curated tea samplers, including USDA certified organic and CO2 decaffeinated options.
Is Upton Tea Imports a public or private company?
Upton Tea Imports is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Upton Tea Imports founded?
Upton Tea Imports was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Upton Tea Imports based?
Upton Tea Imports is headquartered in Hopkinton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Upton Tea Imports make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - Tea is the primary driver. The others are product Sales - Teaware & Accessories, product Sales - Sweeteners & Specialty Items, subscription Program and gift Certificates.
Who are Upton Tea Imports's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TeaVivre, Arbor Teas, Smith Teamaker, Harney & Sons, Republic of Tea, Adagio Teas and Stash Tea. Broad incumbents are Bigelow Tea, Twinings and Celestial Seasonings.
Does Upton Tea Imports have an API?
No public API is recorded for Upton Tea Imports.
What industry is Upton Tea Imports in?
Upton Tea Imports's product category is Specialty Loose Leaf Tea Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAHAGAI, Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories), with a secondary code of CRADAHAE, Tea (Leaf, Bagged, Instant, Concentrates). Its NAICS code is 311920 and its SIC code is 5190.