Where is Stir Tea based?

Stir Tea is based in Queenstown, New Zealand, where teas are selected, hand-packaged, and dispatched.

What types of tea does Stir Tea offer?

The collection includes single estate and blended black teas, green teas, white teas, matcha, caffeine-free fruit infusions, rooibos, and herbal tisanes.

Where do Stir Tea's leaves come from?

Teas and tisanes are sourced from premier tea-growing regions worldwide, including China, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, and South Africa.

Does Stir Tea offer caffeine-free options?

Yes, Stir Tea carries several caffeine-free herbal and fruit teas, such as Blood Orange, Spiced Rooibos, and Butterfly Pea Flower.

Who curates the tea selection?

Founder Michelle Casson curates the collection, drawing on extensive technical training with the Specialty Tea Institute of America.

Are larger quantities available for everyday tea drinkers?

Yes, Stir Tea offers larger bag sizes across many of its loose leaf varieties to help customers save.

Stir Tea

tea shop — Fernhill · Queenstown

About Stir Tea

Founded in Queenstown in May 2008 by Michelle Casson, Stir Tea is an independent New Zealand loose leaf tea specialist dedicated to the craft and ritual of exceptional tea. Following a 25-year career in chartered accountancy, Michelle retrained extensively with the Specialty Tea Institute of America to pursue her vision of elevating everyday moments through finely crafted, aromatic teas.

Stir Tea sources its single estate teas, classic blends, and tisanes directly from renowned tea-growing regions across the globe, including China, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, and South Africa. From bold Assam and delicate Jasmine Pearls to naturally caffeine-free fruit infusions and vibrant Butterfly Pea Flower, each selection is hand-packaged at their registered food premise in Queenstown. Stir Tea serves loose leaf tea lovers throughout New Zealand with thoughtfully packaged teas, accessories, and discovery collections.

Awakening the Leaf: How Stir Tea Brought Specialty Loose Leaf to Queenstown

On the morning of 9 June 2005, running through Queenstown gardens during training for the New York marathon, Michelle Casson had a moment of clear vision. Raised in an Anglo-Irish household where tea was central to daily life and domestic rhythm, she realised her true passion lay far beyond her 25-year corporate career in chartered accountancy. Michelle decided to pursue the world of specialty tea, enrolling in intensive technical study with the Specialty Tea Institute of America to master the leaf.

In May 2008, Stir Tea was officially born in Queenstown. The name takes inspiration from the magical moment when freshly heated water washes over dry leaves, waking them from their sleep to release their nuanced oils and aromatics. What started as a dedicated personal mission has grown into one of New Zealand's foremost private label loose leaf specialists, providing drinkers nationwide with teas that elevate both quiet routines and celebratory gatherings.

Ethical Sourcing and Traditional Craftsmanship

Stir Tea approaches tea curation with deep respect for traditional farming and processing. Rather than using generic dust or industrial tea bags, Michelle sources whole and broken loose leaves directly through long-standing partnerships with tea growers across China, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, and South Africa.

The catalog spans every major tea classification. Connoisseurs will find pure single estate blacks like robust Assam alongside exquisite white teas like Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen) and White Peony (Bai Mudan). Green tea lovers can choose classic Dragonwell or hand-rolled Jasmine Pearls, while scented blends like Lapsang Souchong, Rose Earl Grey, and Coconut Cream offer distinctive flavour journeys. For evenings and caffeine-conscious drinkers, Stir curates tisanes such as vibrant Blood Orange, Spiced Rooibos, and color-shifting Butterfly Pea Flower.

Hand-Packaged in Queenstown

Every batch of imported tea is inspected, blended, and lovingly hand-packaged within Stir Tea’s registered food premise nestled in Queenstown. This careful, small-batch approach guarantees that leaves maintain their aromatic integrity from plantation to teapot.

Alongside their tea collections, Stir Tea provides brewing advice, tea recipe inspiration, discovery samplers, and specialised teaware, championing the mindfulness of loose leaf brewing. Whether you seek a restorative morning pot or a refreshing iced brew, Stir Tea delivers the knowledge and craft to make every steep worthwhile.

Signature items

Jasmine Pearl
Silver Needle
Lapsang Souchong
Coconut Cream
Butterfly Pea Flower
Dragonwell

Lapsang Souchong — Smoky, aromatic black tea crafted in China.
Coconut Cream — Smooth, rich black tea infused with luscious coconut cream flavours.
Soursop Black — Flavourful black tea infused with exotic sweet and tangy soursop.
Rose Earl Grey (Black Tea Rose) — Classic Earl Grey blend complemented by fragrant rose notes.

Herbals And Fruits

Butterfly Pea Flower — Dazzling, caffeine-free herbal tisane with a vivid blue natural liquor.
Blood Orange — Bright, uplifting caffeine-free herbal infusion packed with citrus notes.
Spiced Rooibos — Naturally caffeine-free South African rooibos blended with warming spices.

Single Estate Black Tea

Assam — Traditional malty, robust black tea ideal for starting the day.

Tea Collections & Accessories

Discovery Boxes — Curated tasting boxes designed to sample and explore new tea profiles.
Tea Accessories — Pots, strainers, and essential brewing equipment for loose leaf tea.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Stir Tea based?: Stir Tea is based in Queenstown, New Zealand, where teas are selected, hand-packaged, and dispatched.
What types of tea does Stir Tea offer?: The collection includes single estate and blended black teas, green teas, white teas, matcha, caffeine-free fruit infusions, rooibos, and herbal tisanes.
Where do Stir Tea's leaves come from?: Teas and tisanes are sourced from premier tea-growing regions worldwide, including China, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, and South Africa.
Does Stir Tea offer caffeine-free options?: Yes, Stir Tea carries several caffeine-free herbal and fruit teas, such as Blood Orange, Spiced Rooibos, and Butterfly Pea Flower.
Who curates the tea selection?: Founder Michelle Casson curates the collection, drawing on extensive technical training with the Specialty Tea Institute of America.
Are larger quantities available for everyday tea drinkers?: Yes, Stir Tea offers larger bag sizes across many of its loose leaf varieties to help customers save.

Tips

{"body":"If you are unsure where to begin, order a discovery box to sample several different styles before committing to larger bags.","title":"Explore Discovery Boxes"}
{"body":"Check Stir Tea's brew guides and recipes to ensure proper water temperature and steep times for delicate greens and whites.","title":"Brew Loose Leaf with Care"}
{"body":"If you find a favourite daily drinker, Stir Tea offers larger bag sizes that provide better value.","title":"Stock Up in Larger Sizes"}

Good to know

{"dietary":"Offers a wide range of caffeine-free herbal and fruit tisanes as well as pure estate teas.","payments":"Accepts major credit cards securely online."}