Seven Seas Tea

Seven Seas Tea starts with a tin: a Mazawatee Tea tin, given to the founder by her mother when she was a child in Africa. She still has it, and she traces her interest in tea back to that tin.

The business itself began much later and a long way from Africa, in a teahouse in Singapore. Talking with two friends there, she arrived at the idea: in a market that revolves around coffee, drinking tea could be made to feel like more of an occasion. She came home to Margaret River and started sourcing loose-leaf teas from around the world, to blend by hand and package locally.

Africa, Singapore, Margaret River: the name Seven Seas suits a business with that much travel behind it, and the travel theme carries into the range. A French-style earl grey is called Bon Voyage. A black tea blend with a bush-camp theme is called Australian Billy Tea.

The teas are still blended by hand, in small batches, on Bussell Highway in Cowaramup. The blending room and the retail shop share an address. When choosing what to bring in, the business says it looks first to growers who farm without pesticides and follow best practice. The range is wide: black, green, white and oolong teas, chai, herbal blends, matcha and latte blends. Most come as loose leaf, in teabags, or as a single sample sachet, a low-risk way to try something unfamiliar. Retail packs are resealable stand-up pouches or amber glass jars.

The shop sells more than tea. There are spices, mugs, gifts and souvenirs on the shelves as well. Seven Seas Tea also supplies cafes, restaurants, gift stores and gift hamper makers.

The shop is open to visitors. Check the maker's site before visiting.