There’s never a bad time of day to enjoy a cup of Earl Gray or oolong during the chaotic holiday season, which is why the best gifts for tea lovers are also some of our favorites to give and receive. Around this time of year, I’ve been known to start my morning with a pot of strong English breakfast or an Oolong, and only take a break from my errands a few hours later to treat myself to a hōjicha latte with oat milk foam and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon. In the evening, I prefer lighter green teas, like Japanese sencha and gyokuro.

As the second most consumed beverage in the world, tea as a category is vast and varied. Identifying what you like is a process much like tasting wine; Once you’ve sniffed and tasted what’s in your cup, you can begin to hone in on the different regions and varietals that appeal most to your palate.

Whether you choose to brew a pot of loose leaf tea for company (or, in the case of many oolong and botanical teas, a second or third brew using the same leaves), I’m here to help you give a gift that gradually moves the coffee fanatic in your family closer to the tea end of the spectrum, or encourages that ultra-busy friend to take a moment to enjoy the ritual of brewing and sipping.

Skip ahead to some of our best gifts for tea lovers:

Maybe you have someone in your life who is trying to consume more tea but doesn’t know how to tell a Jasmine from an Oolong; or maybe you just know a tea enthusiast who also craves the luxury of choice. Either way, this sample box from Parisian purveyor Kusmi Tea is filled to the brim with sachets (no pot or strainer needed) of herbal tea blends, green and black tea. Brewed black tea blends can easily replace a morning cup of coffee, while the ‘Be Cool’ blend of lemon, verbena, mint and licorice is ideal for unwinding after a long day.

Opening a box of carefully arranged flowering tea bulbs from Qi East almost as delicious as putting one in a pot of hot water and watching the blooms gradually unfold. Made from an assortment of hand-picked green tea leaves, Osmanthus flowers and lilies, each ampoule produces three cups of honeyed, soothing herbal tea with medium caffeine levels. Need a few extra minutes of relaxation? Each ampoule is suitable for two re-infusions to help you extend the tea time ritual.

These hand-blown borosilicate glass teaspoons are about to become the most versatile cutlery you own. We recommend using them for drizzling honey or sprinkling sugar into a cup of tea, but they’re also ideal for stirring a classic Negroni or serving dips and sauces over a charcuterie spread. Plus, the mix-and-match vibe in each set of four keeps any table from feeling too stuffy.

This ultra-luxurious box of Wedding Imperial black tea from iconic French teahouse Marriage Frères, which has been in the business since 1854, is sure to woo anyone who sniffs it. Sure to please (but still surprise) fans of a classic cup of English Breakfast or Earl Grey, the malty, chocolatey Assam tea leaves make this tea particularly ideal for enjoying with gooey cinnamon buns, stacks of pancakes or other holiday brunch favorites. Plus, the airtight black box is chic enough to display and reuse.

Your kettle is an appliance that needs to be attractive enough to display on your stovetop, and this stainless steel offering from Italian design house Alessi is one you’ll want to show off. The newer offering, in a smaller capacity (the original is almost twice as large), is perfect for afternoon brews for two. Choose between teal and sunshine yellow handles, and don’t underestimate the cuteness of the bird whistle. For extra brownie points, you can also add up to 9 engraving characters.

Can a sugar bowl be a brat? This cheerful piece by artist Sophie Lou Jacobsen adds a touch of whimsy to any tea tray and is made from sturdy borosilicate glass to stand the test of time. For those who do not take sugar with their tea, it is also a perfect container for storing hard candies or sachets of honey; you can even use it to store those loose tea bags in the back of your pantry drawers.

One of my most tried-and-true Christmas gifts, these DIY tea bags from Art of Tea are a great way to share some of my most treasured loose leaf teas with people who haven’t yet (for reasons that I don’t understand). invested in a teapot. Carrying a few in my travel bag is also a great way to avoid succumbing to the dreaded stale tea bag scenario at the hotel or on the plane, and there’s something a little luxurious about enjoying a cup of Mariages Frères on the go instead of, say, Lipton.

Few portable milk frothers are as efficient and reliable as this one from Blue Bottle, which you probably know for its cold brew and elegant coffees. With three replaceable heads that give you superfine, fine or regular foam and a sticky wall mount that makes it easy to store next to your tea or coffee station, it’s the perfect gift for matcha latte or matcha fans. London Fog. It’s also surprisingly quiet when in use and works just as well with whole cow’s milk as it does with plant-based barista favorites like oat milk and macadamia nut milk.

If you’ve never tried hojicha before, consider Flowerhead’s Deep Steep tea bags as the best new excuse to try matcha’s increasingly popular cousin. This roasted green tea has a naturally earthy and savory flavor profile, and the addition of roasted corn and barley adds extra layers of umami to every cup. Best of all, Flowerhead’s poppy brand is cute enough that you don’t have to worry about gift wrapping.

Although we fully support the use of a aesthetic glass teapot As a centerpiece when entertaining, the reality is that nothing rivals ceramic for keeping your tea warm for an extended period of time. This minimalist option from Japanese tableware brand Kinto is the perfect size for two people, and the short spout reduces the risk of pesky drips and tea stains. The Moss Green glaze is particularly unique (we’ve yet to come across another teapot in this shade), and each comes with a dishwasher-safe stainless steel strainer.

If you’re tired of the same old selection of black teas, this post-fermented tea variety pack is a favorite of BA business editor Carina Finn. “I love that it comes with a wide range of caffeine levels, from caffeine-free rooibos to delicate green teas and bold black tea options,” she says. Her favorite is the naturally sweet Moonwalk black tea, which features notes of honey and pear.

Once you become familiar with tea, you will learn that different leaves require different brewing temperatures. This Fellow temperature control kettle made in collaboration with Great Jones is one of our favorite tools for brewing a perfectly brewed pot of delicate sencha or jasmine tea. The dark green hue and contrasting mustard yellow button make this piece stand out on any counter, and the slim spout eliminates spills and drips.

While many self-heating mugs seem bulky and, well, technical, this ceramic option from OHOM feels like it could be a treasured piece you’ve owned for years. It’s dishwasher safe and comes in a few muted colors (we particularly like Rosey Apricot, which is a soft terracotta), and the heated base can also double as a wireless charger for your phone or headphones. Do you have to run to a meeting or call? The base automatically turns off after an hour, so this is something you don’t do it you have to worry.