On June 23, 1896, the LONDON TEA COMPANY LTD was founded in London by two Swiss and five Englishmen. Its headquarters were located in an imposing building at 9 and 10 Great Tower Street in the City of London. Shortly thereafter, the main branch in Basel opened its doors. The company’s success soon made it possible to open additional branches in Munich and St. Louis, Alsace.
According to oral tradition, the tea trade under the name LONDON TEA had already begun more than 10 years earlier.
On June 23, 1896, the LONDON TEA COMPANY LTD was founded in London by two Swiss and five Englishmen. Its headquarters were located in an imposing building at 9 and 10 Great Tower Street in the City of London. Shortly thereafter, the main branch in Basel opened its doors. The company’s success soon made it possible to open additional branches in Munich and St. Louis, Alsace.
According to oral tradition, the tea trade under the name LONDON TEA had already begun more than 10 years earlier.
On August 6, 1896, the headquarters of LONDON TEA was entered in the Basel-Stadt Commercial Register. As a result of World War I, the Basel branch was converted into an independent company on September 16, 1915, with its headquarters at Petersgraben 20. Shortly thereafter, the company moved to the corner property at Petersgraben 67/Rosshofgasse 8. It was the former manager’s and staff residence of the “ROSSHOF,” which now served as a retail space, office, packing area, and warehouse for the LONDON TEA COMPANY LTD. At that time, the tea assortment consisted of 12 different blends, including teas from China, Ceylon, and India. Even back then, the company adhered to the principle of importing only the highest-quality tea directly from the plantations. Martha and Hans Iten—direct ancestors of the current owner family—contributed to the tea house’s prosperity with their prudence and expertise.
On August 6, 1896, the headquarters of LONDON TEA was entered in the Basel-Stadt Commercial Register. As a result of World War I, the Basel branch was converted into an independent company on September 16, 1915, with its headquarters at Petersgraben 20. Shortly thereafter, the company moved to the corner property at Petersgraben 67/Rosshofgasse 8. It was the former manager’s and staff residence of the “ROSSHOF,” which now served as a retail space, office, packing area, and warehouse for the LONDON TEA COMPANY LTD. At that time, the tea assortment consisted of 12 different blends, including teas from China, Ceylon, and India. Even back then, the company adhered to the principle of importing only the highest-quality tea directly from the plantations. Martha and Hans Iten—direct ancestors of the current owner family—contributed to the tea house’s prosperity with their prudence and expertise.
It’s hard to believe, in today’s industrialized world, how simple and modest the work was back then. The teas were blended by hand, and even the packaging was still largely made in-house using a paste made from fish meal. After World War II, as the economic boom slowly began to take hold, many changes set in. With some skepticism, the company ventured into the production of the first tea bags and tea capsules. Initially, this was done on a trial basis through laborious manual work, aided by homemade filling and sealing machines. It wasn’t until several years later that the company switched to fully automated machinery. Since then, the tea bag has become an indispensable part of modern life.
It’s hard to believe, in today’s industrialized world, how simple and modest the work was back then. The teas were blended by hand, and even the packaging was still largely made in-house using a paste made from fish meal. After World War II, as the economic boom slowly began to take hold, many changes set in. With some skepticism, the company ventured into the production of the first tea bags and tea capsules. Initially, this was done on a trial basis through laborious manual work, aided by homemade filling and sealing machines. It wasn’t until several years later that the company switched to fully automated machinery. Since then, the tea bag has become an indispensable part of modern life.
A major fire in 1955 on the Nadelberg, which also damaged parts of the Rosshof, resulted in the entire Rosshof—with the exception of the manor house—having to be demolished. The LONDON TEA store was subsequently relocated to Spalenberg 26. The administrative offices, warehouse, and shipping department moved into the new building on Reinacherstrasse in Münchenstein.
A major fire in 1955 on the Nadelberg, which also damaged parts of the Rosshof, resulted in the entire Rosshof—with the exception of the manor house—having to be demolished. The LONDON TEA store was subsequently relocated to Spalenberg 26. The administrative offices, warehouse, and shipping department moved into the new building on Reinacherstrasse in Münchenstein.
We were delighted to celebrate the opening of our new tea shop in September 2024—our third tea shop in Switzerland! For us, this special milestone marks not only another step forward in our passion for high-quality tea, but also the launch of a new tea destination in the heart of the Zurich region.
Our shop is more than just a store—it’s a place for connection, enjoyment, and inspiration. Here, tradition and modernity come together: From exquisite black teas and aromatic green teas to unique herbal blends and rare finds, we offer a carefully curated selection that will make every tea lover’s heart beat faster.
We were delighted to celebrate the opening of our new tea shop in September 2024—our third tea shop in Switzerland! For us, this special milestone marks not only another step forward in our passion for high-quality tea, but also the launch of a new tea destination in the heart of the Zurich region.
Our shop is more than just a store—it’s a place for connection, enjoyment, and inspiration. Here, tradition and modernity come together: From exquisite black teas and aromatic green teas to unique herbal blends and rare finds, we offer a carefully curated selection that will make every tea lover’s heart beat faster.
High-quality tea deserves
- protection from light
- protection from foreign odors
- protection from moisture
- hygienic protection
That is why all London Tea varieties have always been offered exclusively in special packaging designed to preserve aroma and protect against light.
We take great care to offer vintage tea
and thus treat you to the freshest harvest.
Whenever possible, all varieties are organically grown and only make their way into our packages after undergoing a rigorous residue analysis,
.
High-quality tea deserves
- protection from light
- protection from foreign odors
- protection from moisture
- hygienic protection
That is why all London Tea varieties have always been offered exclusively in special packaging designed to preserve aroma and protect against light.
We take great care to offer vintage tea
and thus treat you to the freshest harvest.
Whenever possible, all varieties are organically grown and only make their way into our packages after undergoing a rigorous residue analysis,
.
We take great care to offer vintage tea
and treat you to the freshest harvest.
Whenever possible, all varieties are organically grown and only make their way into our packages after undergoing rigorous residue testing,
.
We take great care to offer vintage tea
and treat you to the freshest harvest.
Whenever possible, all varieties are organically grown and only make their way into our packages after undergoing rigorous residue testing,
.
To this day, it’s impossible to imagine Spalenberg without LONDON TEA’s tea shop in Basel. Tea connoisseurs and tea lovers will find the most extensive selection of black tea, oolong, pu-erh, green tea, white tea, yellow tea, rooibos, herbal tea, and fruit tea here. In addition, we carry all the accessories needed for the finest tea experience. The many original gift sets are particularly popular. Our friendly sales associates are always ready to provide expert advice to tea lovers and are happy to share tips for a delightful tea experience.
To this day, it’s impossible to imagine Spalenberg without LONDON TEA’s tea shop in Basel. Tea connoisseurs and tea lovers will find the most extensive selection of black tea, oolong, pu-erh, green tea, white tea, yellow tea, rooibos, herbal tea, and fruit tea here. In addition, we carry all the accessories needed for the finest tea experience. The many original gift sets are particularly popular. Our friendly sales associates are always ready to provide expert advice to tea lovers and are happy to share tips for a delightful tea experience.
When planning the tea factory in Münchenstein near Basel in 1955, the Bisang family wanted the building’s facade to resemble that of a tea factory in the highlands of Ceylon. At that time, the building essentially had three stories and a converted attic. All packaging materials were stored in the attic. The first floor housed the packaging department and the offices. The ground floor contained the tea warehouse with the blending rooms and a small retail shop. And the basement was used to store all tea accessories and tableware.
When planning the tea factory in Münchenstein near Basel in 1955, the Bisang family wanted the building’s facade to resemble that of a tea factory in the highlands of Ceylon. At that time, the building essentially had three stories and a converted attic. All packaging materials were stored in the attic. The first floor housed the packaging department and the offices. The ground floor contained the tea warehouse with the blending rooms and a small retail shop. And the basement was used to store all tea accessories and tableware.
