From a Stellenbosch kitchen to national tea orders
Cup Of Tea Co began in 2011 in Stellenbosch Central, where Annelise van der Merwe set out to build a tea business that treated flavour, freshness and service as non-negotiables. What started with small-batch blending and careful testing has grown into a practical tea house serving homes, hospitality venues, offices and gift buyers across South Africa.
Our base remains in Stellenbosch, close to the town, the farms and the steady pace that suits tea work well. From here we prepare orders for Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Bloemfontein, Somerset West and Paarl, using courier delivery so customers can receive stock wherever they need it. We work with customers who want everyday tea and with people who need something more considered for a menu, a hamper or an event.
The team is led by Annelise van der Merwe, with Siyabonga Ndlovu overseeing tea blending, Mariska Botha managing operations, Leanne Petersen handling customer care, Thabo Mokoena coordinating courier fulfilment and Zanele Dlamini supporting retail and gifting. That mix matters because good tea is not only about flavour, its also about order accuracy, stock control and reliable turnaround.
Why we focus on rooibos, loose-leaf tea and herbal infusions
South Africans know tea well. We drink it at home, serve it to visitors, use it in boardrooms and pack it into gifts for weddings and year-end functions. Our range is built around that reality, with a strong focus on authentic rooibos blends, loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions that suit local tastes and climate conditions, especially in warmer coastal areas where lighter cups are often preferred.
We pay close attention to aroma, leaf size, cut, texture and balance in the cup. That means blends that hold their character when brewed in bulk for hospitality, as well as more delicate infusions for smaller servings. In places where load-shedding affects routines, customers often want tea that is easy to prepare, easy to store and dependable in flavour even when life is a bit rushed.
- Authentic rooibos blends for daily drinking, gifting and hospitality use
- Loose-leaf teas for customers who prefer fuller flavour and careful brewing
- Herbal infusions for caffeine-free menus, evening service and wellness ranges
- Seasonal blends for gift packs, events and retail gifting programmes
How we blend, pack and check quality
Our work starts with sourcing ingredients that suit the blend we want to achieve, then building a recipe that is practical to produce at the right volume. Each batch is mixed with care, checked for consistency and packed so the tea keeps its aroma and appearance for as long as possible. We do not rush the process, because tea that looks good but brews poorly is not useful to anyone.
Private label packing and custom tea blending are handled with the same discipline. If you need a blend with a particular taste profile, a specific pack size or a look that fits your own range, we can work to that brief and keep the process straightforward. That includes bulk orders for hospitality, office tea supply, wedding favour packing and subscription tea boxes.
We also understand local logistics. Courier fulfilment needs to work in summer heat, in wet weather and around holiday rushes. Orders are packed carefully for travel, with attention to seal integrity and clear labelling so stock arrives ready to use. For clients in coastal areas like Cape Town or Durban, that extra attention helps with storage and shelf life.
- Custom tea blending for signature flavours and house blends
- Private label packing for retail ranges and promotional packs
- Bulk tea orders packed for offices, cafés and guest houses
- Courier dispatch across South Africa with practical order tracking
What our customers ask us to do
Different customers come to us for different reasons, but the underlying need is usually the same: they want tea that feels considered and is simple to manage. Some want a gift range for clients, others need a reliable supply for a hotel breakfast area, and some are planning a wedding or corporate event and need something that feels personal without being complicated.
We often work on tea menu curation for restaurants and guest houses, tasting sessions for teams or clients, and seasonal gift curation when businesses need year-end packs. Our event tea bars are popular for launches and functions where guests want something warm, well made and a little different from the usual beverage table. We also supply office tea for teams who want better tea on hand every day.
Because every order has its own purpose, we keep communication direct and practical. The enquiry form on our contact page is the best way to reach us, especially when you need product advice, a quote or help choosing the right blend. We respond with clear options, not jargon, and we keep the process moving.
The values that shape the way we work
Our values are simple enough to write down and hard enough to maintain properly: consistency, honest flavour, respectful service and attention to detail. We believe tea should be enjoyable without being fussy, and that good service means clear answers, fair expectations and stock that arrives as promised.
We also value local knowledge. Stellenbosch gives us a strong base for production and packing, while our customers across South Africa remind us to think practically about weather, delivery timing, storage and presentation. A tea order for a wedding in Paarl needs a different rhythm from a hospitality supply order going to Johannesburg, and we plan for that.
As a team, we work best when every role is clear. Blending, operations, customer care and fulfilment all have to line up or the final cup suffers. That is why we keep the workflow tidy and the standards high, even during busy periods.
- We keep the flavour honest and the ingredients well matched
- We pack with care so tea arrives in good condition
- We treat small orders and large contracts with equal attention
- We aim for practical service that saves time for the customer
Serving South African homes, businesses and celebrations
Cup Of Tea Co serves a wide mix of customers, from households that buy a favourite blend again and again to businesses that need tea for staff, guests or clients. Our services include hospitality tea supply, subscription tea boxes, bulk tea orders and corporate gifting service, plus wedding favour packing and seasonal gift curation for special occasions.
We are proud of the fact that our tea travels well and fits many settings. A good rooibos blend can work in a guest house breakfast room, a boardroom in Pretoria, a café in Cape Town or a gift hamper headed to Bloemfontein. That flexibility is part of what keeps the business relevant after all these years.
At the end of the day, our aim is plain: make tea that people enjoy and make it easy to get hold of it. If you need a straight answer, a custom blend or a reliable tea supplier, we are here to help.