On June 23, 1896, LONDON TEA COMPANY LTD was founded in London by two Swiss and five Englishmen. The company was based in an imposing building at 9 + 10 Great Tower Street in the City of London. Shortly afterwards, the main branch opened its doors in Basel. The success of the business soon led to the opening of further branches in Munich and St. Louis in Alsace.
According to oral tradition, the tea trade had already begun more than 10 years earlier under the name LONDON TEA.
On June 23, 1896, LONDON TEA COMPANY LTD was founded in London by two Swiss and five Englishmen. The company was based in an imposing building at 9 + 10 Great Tower Street in the City of London. Shortly afterwards, the main branch opened its doors in Basel. The success of the business soon led to the opening of further branches in Munich and St. Louis in Alsace.
According to oral tradition, the tea trade had already begun more than 10 years earlier under the name LONDON TEA.
On August 6, 1896, the registered office of LONDON TEA was entered in the Basel-Stadt commercial register. As a result of the First World War, the Basel branch was converted into an independent company on September 16, 1915, with its headquarters at Petersgraben 20. A short time later, the company moved to the corner property at Petersgraben 67/Rosshofgasse 8. It was the former administrator's and servants' house of the "ROSSHOF", which now served LONDON TEA COMPANY LTD as a store, office, packing and storage room. At that time, the tea range consisted of 12 different blends, teas from China, Ceylon and India. Even then, the principle was to import only the best quality tea directly from the plantation. Martha and Hans Iten - direct ancestors of today's owner family - contributed to the prosperity of the tea house with prudence and skill.
On August 6, 1896, the registered office of LONDON TEA was entered in the Basel-Stadt commercial register. As a result of the First World War, the Basel branch was converted into an independent company on September 16, 1915, with its headquarters at Petersgraben 20. A short time later, the company moved to the corner property at Petersgraben 67/Rosshofgasse 8. It was the former administrator's and servants' house of the "ROSSHOF", which now served LONDON TEA COMPANY LTD as a store, office, packing and storage room. At that time, the tea range consisted of 12 different blends, teas from China, Ceylon and India. Even then, the principle was to import only the best quality tea directly from the plantation. Martha and Hans Iten - direct ancestors of today's owner family - contributed to the prosperity of the tea house with prudence and skill.
In today's industrialized world, it's hard to believe how simple and modest the work was back then. The teas were mixed by hand and most of the packaging was still made by hand using boiled paste made from fishmeal. After the Second World War, when the economy slowly began to boom, many changes were introduced. With some skepticism, the first tea bags or tea capsules were produced. Initially, this was done laboriously by hand and with the help of self-designed filling and sealing machines. Only after a few years did they switch to fully automatic machines. Since then, the tea bag has become an integral part of modern life.
In today's industrialized world, it's hard to believe how simple and modest the work was back then. The teas were mixed by hand and most of the packaging was still made by hand using boiled paste made from fishmeal. After the Second World War, when the economy slowly began to boom, many changes were introduced. With some skepticism, the first tea bags or tea capsules were produced. Initially, this was done laboriously by hand and with the help of self-designed filling and sealing machines. Only after a few years did they switch to fully automatic machines. Since then, the tea bag has become an integral part of modern life.
A major fire on the Nadelberg in 1955, which also affected parts of the Rosshof, meant that the entire Rosshof, with the exception of the manor house, had to be demolished. The LONDON TEA store was then relocated to Spalenberg 26. The administration, warehouse and shipping department moved into the new building on Reinacherstrasse in Münchenstein.
A major fire on the Nadelberg in 1955, which also affected parts of the Rosshof, meant that the entire Rosshof, with the exception of the manor house, had to be demolished. The LONDON TEA store was then relocated to Spalenberg 26. The administration, warehouse and shipping department moved into the new building on Reinacherstrasse in Münchenstein.
We were delighted to celebrate the opening of our new tea store in September 2024 - our third tea store in Switzerland! For us, this special milestone not only marks another step in our passion for high-quality tea, but also the beginning of a new tea address in the heart of the Zurich region.
Our store is more than just a store - it is a place of encounter, enjoyment and inspiration. This is where tradition and modernity meet: from exquisite black teas and aromatic green teas to unique herbal blends and rare rarities, we offer a carefully curated range that will make any tea lover's heart beat faster.
We were delighted to celebrate the opening of our new tea store in September 2024 - our third tea store in Switzerland! For us, this special milestone not only marks another step in our passion for high-quality tea, but also the beginning of a new tea address in the heart of the Zurich region.
Our store is more than just a store - it is a place of encounter, enjoyment and inspiration. This is where tradition and modernity meet: from exquisite black teas and aromatic green teas to unique herbal blends and rare rarities, we offer a carefully curated range that will make any tea lover's heart beat faster.
Good tea quality deserves
- protection from light
- protection from foreign odors
- protection from moisture
- hygiene protection
This is why all London Tea varieties have always been offered only in special aroma and light protection packaging.
We take great care to offer vintage teas
and thus spoil you with the freshest harvest.
All varieties are, whenever possible, from organic production and only find their way into our packs after a strict residue analysis,
.
Good tea quality deserves
- protection from light
- protection from foreign odors
- protection from moisture
- hygiene protection
This is why all London Tea varieties have always been offered only in special aroma and light protection packaging.
We take great care to offer vintage teas
and thus spoil you with the freshest harvest.
All varieties are, whenever possible, from organic production and only find their way into our packs after a strict residue analysis,
.
We take great care to offer vintage teas
and spoil you with the freshest harvest.
All varieties are, whenever possible, from organic production and only find their way into our packs after a strict residue analysis,
.
We take great care to offer vintage teas
and spoil you with the freshest harvest.
All varieties are, whenever possible, from organic production and only find their way into our packs after a strict residue analysis,
.
To this day, it is impossible to imagine Basel without LONDON TEA's tea store on Spalenberg. Tea connoisseurs will find the widest range of black tea, oolong, Pu Er, green tea, white tea, yellow tea, rooibos, herbal and fruit tea here. In addition, all accessories for fine tea enjoyment. The many original gift packs are particularly popular. Our friendly sales assistants are always on hand to provide tea lovers with expert advice and are happy to pass on many a good tip for delicious tea enjoyment.
To this day, it is impossible to imagine Basel without LONDON TEA's tea store on Spalenberg. Tea connoisseurs will find the widest range of black tea, oolong, Pu Er, green tea, white tea, yellow tea, rooibos, herbal and fruit tea here. In addition, all accessories for fine tea enjoyment. The many original gift packs are particularly popular. Our friendly sales assistants are always on hand to provide tea lovers with expert advice and are happy to pass on many a good tip for delicious tea enjoyment.
When planning the tea factory in Münchenstein near Basel in 1955, the Bisang family wanted the building façade to resemble a tea factory in the highlands of Ceylon. At that time, the building basically had three floors and a converted attic. All the packaging material was stored under the roof. The packaging department and offices were located on the second floor. The tea warehouse with the blending rooms and a small store were located on the first floor. All the tea accessories and crockery were stored in the basement.
When planning the tea factory in Münchenstein near Basel in 1955, the Bisang family wanted the building façade to resemble a tea factory in the highlands of Ceylon. At that time, the building basically had three floors and a converted attic. All the packaging material was stored under the roof. The packaging department and offices were located on the second floor. The tea warehouse with the blending rooms and a small store were located on the first floor. All the tea accessories and crockery were stored in the basement.
