Spain is a coffee country. It’s not just a sensation after years of breakfasts in bars, the data confirms it: in 2021, per capita consumption of coffee reached 1.79 kilos, while that of infusions – a category that includes tea – was 150 grams , according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. However, purchases from the latter increased by 41.7% compared to 2008, according to the same study. Let’s see, not everyone is drinking a cup of matcha at five o’clock in the afternoon and “Earl Grey” may sound like whipping and sadomaso to many, but teapot culture is growing among Spaniards.
If you’re one of those people looking for warm comfort while sipping tea in the morning, we’re here to help: we asked several specialists in everything related to this drink to recommend their favorite stores. The only requirement is that they are stationary stores where they offer a more or less wide range of mass-produced products. So if you finally want to try oolong, or that hard-to-find type of white tea, here are 13 places to buy them (or order them, since 12 of them also sell online on their website):
MADRID
Coffee Tea Art
“I discovered this shop in Madrid thanks to the magic of social networks and the jealousy of some friends,” says gourmet Anna Mayer. Aside from her main teas, this comedienne recounts that she’s recently started experimenting with green tea—referring to the type of tea, not the political party—with great final satisfaction: “The bancha and the genmaicha I tasted at the cafe Té Arte are already in my favorites catalogue”.
Coffee Tea Art: A V. from Queen Victoria, 52. Madrid. Phone: 915343949. Map.
terra house
Alfonso D. Martín, a recipe chef and co-founder, recommends visiting Casa Terra, a store specializing in wholesale located in central Madrid between Chueca and Gran Vía: “They have such a variety that you could taste them all in one “Usually,” says Alfonso, “they bring them in from Asia, with a particular focus on China, Indonesia, and Japan.” for example chai green tea with cardamom, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and mint, which comes in quite easily now that the cold is coming.”
earth house: Calle de las Infantas, 19. Madrid. Phone: 910642574. Map.
BARCELONA
Sans&Sans
Council of Food Commissioners President Mikel López Iturriaga affirms that “the same knowledge and care that they put into El Magnífico coffee can be smelled every minute in sister brand of teas and infusions Sans&Sans”. “They have an offer that satisfies the tea enthusiast, variety of varieties and origins, impeccable quality and packaging that is not only sweet but also keeps the product in good condition and extends its lifespan,” describes Mikel. He also assures that if you’re not an expert in the field, “you always get good advice.” “Oh, and their spearmint tea is a delight.”
Sans&Sans: c/ de l’Argenteria, 59. Barcelona. Telephone: 933102518. Map.
to drink tea
“One day we’ll have to investigate why so many tea shops have funny or supposedly funny names,” muses Mikel López Iturriaga. Finding the answer, he recommends us to go to this little shop in the Sant Antoni neighborhood, “maybe not as glamorous as Sans&Sans, but very solvent when it comes to selling good tea”. “The aromatic power of their Ceylon black tea or their English breakfast let me wake up many mornings without discomfort,” says the chef.
to drink tea: c/ del Parliament, 7. Barcelona. Telephone: 936844372. Map.
Girona
Subirat and Manyik
“It’s an atypical concept for what these places are in Spain, very Anglo-Saxon, they have everything you can think of in terms of tea time,” says Kenny Vega, an expert on the drink and manager of the Punto de store Té, he offers his products both at his physical headquarters in Aranjuez and on his website. “They work with quality products and it’s a must see if you’re around; they take care of every little detail,” says Kenny.
Subirats and Manyik: de les Ballesteries, 8 Girona. Telephone: 648292573. Map.
SEVILLE
Asuca
Not long ago I mentioned TéyTé, so this time it’s time to recommend my other reference store in Seville: Asuca. The name sounds Caribbean, but no, it is very close to the Setas de la Encarnación, in a small town where several dozen different types of tea, between pure and mixed, are kept. They are available in all price ranges and variants: from the classic Pakistani to a somewhat more exclusive white. They also have a good catalog of coffees and plants to infuse. And if you buy a book in Caótica, which is just across the street, you’ll spend a rounder morning than your head file.
Asuca: c/ Arguijo, 9. Seville. Phone: 611581903. Map.
MALAGA
golden tips
“Something that is lacking in many shops is specific knowledge about tea, and Raúl is exactly someone who has it and tries with a lot of passion to pass it on to the customers,” says Kenny Vega. The owner of Golden Tips, according to the specialist, “is also one of the few who advocate quality teas of origin beyond the classic blends – mixtures”. “And if you’re lucky, you might even find an event or workshop that she organizes.”
Golden Tips: Spice shop, 26. Malaga. Telephone: 952225732. Map.
Zaragoza
wake up tea
Fabián Pérez, director of the Tea Academy, calls this shop, which has been open since 2013, one of his favourites: “EspabilaTé stands out for having 150 different types of tea and infusions, for the quality of the product and for holding workshops on everything to do with this drink has,” explains Fabián, who also works for Alveus GmbH, a German multinational tea and infusion company. Likewise, this expert points out that Javier, the owner of this company, “likes to teach and sell at the same time”.
EspabilaTea: c/ of the Courts of Aragon, 47. Zaragoza. Telephone: 633233933. Map.
ASTURIAS
Coco Tea Coffee Shop
“You are a treasure in the heart of Oviedo,” says Pilar Serrano, founder of Tea Academy Spain. “They offer a wide range of tea and coffee specialties there. The owners tell you about any new teas you’ve received and usually give samples for you to take home and taste,” says Pilar, who assures that “in the end, you always end up thinking about the new tea that you have You will buy on your next visit” . They have not enabled internet sales so you must go to this place if you want to enjoy any of their products.
Coco Tea Coffee Shop: Pl. of the Constitution, 11. Oviedo. Telephone: 652220444. Map.
GUIPÚZCOA
my tea
“Claudia is French and carries the tea culture with her. In fact, she opened her shop in 2011, convinced that she wanted to work in what she liked best,” says Fabián Pérez. “At MyTea you will have a very personalized attention from an expert taster, you will discover teas from many countries, elegant and refined blends and many accessories to enjoy this drink” describes this expert.
my tea: c/ Etxaide, 6, Bajo 1. San Sebastián. Telephone: 843982033. Map.
LA CORUÑA
mistletoe
Anna Mayer says that she goes to Mistélanea in Santiago de Compostela to fill her tin cans: “I am a customs woman and I usually order what I like: Earl Grey, Lapsang Souchong and at most a not too expensive Darjeeling.” . She admits that they are very friendly and always try to get her to broaden her horizons – another humorous name for a business – although Anna assures that she is already of an age where stubbornness “is considered madness can be seen by an old lady”. However, those who like to experiment are guaranteed to be in the right place with this gourmet.
mistletoe: c/ Xeneral Pardiñas, 28. Santiago de Compostela. Telephone: 981935218. Map.
VALLADOLID
Teapot
The second recommendation from Pilar Serrano, a great specialist in everything related to tea, is La Tetera – one of the few names without puns – a shop based in Valladolid: “The owners of this place waste a lot of energy. and it shows in the huge range of teas, coffees and accessories they offer,” explains Pilar.
Teapot: c/ Plateria, 17. Valladolid. Telephone: 683430789. Map.
LION
T company
And to conclude this list of teapots, Kenny Vega recommends going to T Company, “a place in León where, as soon as you enter, you realize that everything is tea.” The owner of Punto de Té points out that this shop has a very varied menu, both origins and blends. “I’m sure you’ll find more than one favorite there,” says Kenny.
T company: A V. of Rome, 16 Leo. Phone: 987103597. Map.