Kiani Tea: A Celebration of Persian Tea Culture
For Sara, tea has always been more than just a drink—it’s a ritual, a bridge between past and present, and a way to bring people together. Inspired by her deep love for Iranian tea culture and a family legacy dating back to her great-grandfather, she founded Kiani Tea with the mission of sharing Persian tea traditions with the world. Today, Kiani Tea stands as a beacon of craftsmanship, storytelling, and heritage, offering a curated selection of high-quality, artisan teas.
A Legacy in Every Cup
The story of Kiani Tea is rooted in history. Sara’s great-grandfather, Hossein, was a tea merchant in 1910, and his passion for sourcing the finest leaves has transcended generations. A century later, Sara felt compelled to honor this tradition and introduce Iranian artisan teas to a global audience.
At Kiani Tea, every cup is more than a beverage—it’s an experience, an homage to the centuries-old rituals of Persian hospitality. The brand is built on the philosophy that tea should be savored, shared, and celebrated, with each sip offering a taste of heritage and craftsmanship.
From Source to Sip: Curating the Finest Teas
Kiani Tea’s selection process is meticulous. Sara works closely with skilled tea producers in Iran, such as Mostafa and Mohammad, who specialize in whole-leaf, small-batch teas. Unlike mass-produced industrial teas, these artisan blends showcase the rich character of Iranian terroir.
In addition to Persian teas, Kiani Tea also celebrates the Silk Road’s tea culture, offering carefully selected varieties like Chinese Longjing and Phoenix Oolong. This thoughtful curation not only honors Iranian traditions but also pays tribute to the historic trade routes that have shaped tea culture across civilizations.
What Sets Kiani Tea Apart
Kiani Tea is more than just a brand—it’s an invitation to experience Persian tea culture in a refined and meaningful way. The company’s commitment to authenticity shines through in every detail:
Single Garden & Handpicked Teas – Every tea is sourced with care, ensuring the highest quality and preserving its natural integrity.
Storytelling & Tradition – Each blend tells a story, whether it’s a nod to Sara’s childhood memories or a tribute to historical Persian flavors.
A Unique Tearoom Experience – Kiani Tea’s flagship store in The Royal Exchange is a space where guests can immerse themselves in Persian hospitality, enjoy specialty teas, and soon, indulge in a Persian Afternoon Tea experience.
A Blend Close to the Heart
When asked about her favorite tea, Sara finds it difficult to choose just one, but Tehrani Sunrise holds a special place in her heart. This signature blend of Iranian black tea, rose, cardamom, and orange blossom is deeply nostalgic, evoking memories of home. The blend’s success at the British Museum’s Silk Road exhibition was a proud moment for Kiani Tea, affirming its ability to connect people with Persian culture through flavor and fragrance.
Exciting Horizons: What’s Next for Kiani Tea?
Sara’s vision for Kiani Tea extends far beyond selling high-quality teas. The next milestone is the launch of the Persian Afternoon Tea experience, a fusion of British afternoon tea tradition with Persian influences. Beyond this, she aims to introduce more storytelling elements into the brand’s packaging and experiences, ensuring that every customer not only drinks tea but also discovers its rich cultural significance.
The Challenges & Triumphs of Building a Tea Empire
Launching the flagship tearoom at The Royal Exchange was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences for Sara. From finalizing contracts to designing the space and hiring the right team, every step required immense dedication. Yet, the moment she saw guests enjoying the tearoom, fully immersed in the beauty of Persian tea culture, she knew every struggle was worth it. A particularly memorable moment? A customer sketching a beautiful drawing of the tearoom while sipping tea—a reminder that Kiani Tea is already becoming a place of creativity and connection.
Creating an Atmosphere of Warmth & Discovery
For Sara, Kiani Tea is not just about selling tea—it’s about evoking emotions. She hopes that every visitor, whether stopping by for a takeaway or lingering for an afternoon tea, feels transported, welcomed, and inspired. The goal is to offer a sensory experience that fosters nostalgia and discovery, allowing people to connect with Persian heritage in a deeply personal way.
A Sustainable Future in Tea
Sustainability is a core pillar of Kiani Tea’s philosophy. The brand prioritizes:
Chemical-Free Farming – All teas are sourced from small-scale producers who use traditional, chemical-free methods.
Eco-Friendly Packaging – Using minimal, recyclable materials to reduce environmental impact.
Encouraging Slow Tea Culture – Promoting high-quality, loose-leaf teas over wasteful, single-use tea bags.
By integrating sustainability into its business model, Kiani Tea ensures that its practices honor both tradition and the future of the planet.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Sara’s advice for those looking to turn their passion into a business is simple yet profound: “Start with authenticity and purpose. Don’t chase trends—build something that genuinely means something to you.”
She emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, and surrounding oneself with a supportive community. Above all, she urges aspiring entrepreneurs to just start—even if it’s only dedicating 30 minutes a day. The journey will be filled with learning curves, but staying consistent is key to growth and success.
A Tea Ritual Worth Savoring
One of Sara’s favorite Persian tea rituals is the tradition of constant refills—guests are never left without a hot glass of tea. This spirit of hospitality is at the heart of Kiani Tea, reflected in its bottomless breakfast brew for sit-in guests. She also cherishes the practice of pairing tea with kand (rock sugar) or small sweets like dates and baklava, a simple yet intentional way to fully appreciate the flavors of the tea.
in Sara's Words
1. What inspired you to start Kiani Tea?
Kiani Tea was born from a deep love for Iranian tea culture and a desire to share it with the world. Tea is at the heart of Persian hospitality and not just a drink, but a ritual, a way of bringing people together. My family has a long history with tea, dating back to my great-grandfather, Hossein, who was a tea merchant in 1910. A century later, I felt compelled to carry on this legacy and reintroduce Iranian artisan tea to a wider audience. Kiani Tea is about more than just selling tea, its about storytelling, craftsmanship, and honouring a tradition that has been overlooked for too long.
2. How do you source and select the teas for your brand?
I work closely with skilled tea producers in Iran, such as Mostafa and Mohammad, who specialize in whole-leaf artisan tea. Unlike the industrial tea production that dominates much of the market, we focus on small-batch, high-quality teas that showcase the true character of Iranian terroir. Each tea is carefully selected based on its harvest, craftsmanship, and unique flavour profile. In addition to our Persian teas, we also offer carefully curated teas from the Silk Road, such as Chinese Longjing and Phoenix Oolong, to celebrate the broader tea culture that has shaped history.
3. What sets Kiani Tea apart from other tea brands?
Kiani Tea isn't just a tea brand, but a bridge between tradition and modernity, a way to experience Persian tea culture in a refined and meaningful way. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality, storytelling, and authenticity. Our teas are single garden, handpicked, and carefully crafted, with a focus on preserving heritage while making high-quality Persian tea more accessible. Beyond that, we have created a unique tea experience at our flagship store in The Royal Exchange, where people can (very soon) enjoy Persian afternoon tea, take away expertly brewed specialty teas, and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of culture and connection.
4. Do you have a personal favourite tea from your collection? If so, why?
That's a tough question! But if I had to choose, Tehrani Sunrise holds a special place in my heart. It's a blend I've crafted of Iranian black tea, rose, cardamom, and orange blossom flavours that are deeply nostalgic and remind me of home. It was also a bestseller at the British Museums Silk Road exhibition, which was such a proud moment for Kiani Tea.
5. Whats next for Kiani Tea, any exciting plans or upcoming projects?
Absolutely! The biggest milestone right now is the launch of our Persian Afternoon Tea experience, a fusion of British afternoon tea tradition with Persian flavours and influences. Beyond that, I would love to introduce more storytelling elements into our packaging and experiences, bringing the history and poetry of Persian tea culture to life in new ways.
6. Can you share a memorable moment or challenge you've faced while building Kiani Tea?
Opening our flagship tearoom in The Royal Exchange was both the most exciting and most challenging experience. There were moments when I felt completely overwhelmed finalising contracts, designing the space, hiring the right contractors, and making sure every detail reflected the vision I had for Kiani Tea. But seeing people walk in, experience the space, and truly connect with our teas made every struggle worth it. One of my most memorable moments was a customer sketching a beautiful drawing of the tearoom while sipping tea, it was such a touching reminder that Kiani Tea is already becoming a space of creativity and community.
7. How do you hope people feel when they experience Kiani Tea?
I want people to feel transported, welcomed, and inspired. Kiani Tea is more than just a place to have tea, it's a sensory experience, a moment of pause in the middle of a busy day, a way to connect with Persian heritage. Whether it's a takeaway tea on the go or a long afternoon spent in our tearoom, I hope every guest feels a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and discovery.
8. Sustainability is a big conversation in the tea industry, how does Kiani Tea approach this?
Sustainability is at the core of what we do. Our teas are handpicked, whole-leaf, and sourced directly from small-scale producers who are committed to traditional, chemical-free farming. Our packaging is designed to be minimal and eco-friendly, using kraft materials where possible. We also encourage slow tea culture, where people invest in high-quality, loose-leaf tea rather than single-use tea bags.
9. What advice would you give to someone looking to turn their passion into a business?
Start with authenticity and purpose; don't chase trends, build something that genuinely means something to you. Also, understand that passion alone isnt always enough, you need to be adaptable, resilient, and open to learning. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision and dont be afraid to ask for help. And most importantly, just START and stay consistent even if just 30 minutes a day. You'll never have everything figured out, but you will learn and grow along the way.
10. Is there a particular tea ritual or tradition that you personally love?
One of my favourite rituals is the Iranian tea culture of constant refills. In Iran, tea is a staple of hospitality, guests are never left without a fresh, hot glass of tea. That's why we offer our bottomless breakfast brew when you sit in, to create this homey feeling. I also love the tradition of pairing tea with kand (rock sugar) or a small sweet, like dates or baklava, instead of adding sugar directly to the tea. It's such a simple yet intentional way to enjoy the depth of flavours in the tea.
Visit Kiani Tea at The Royal Exchange
To experience the magic of Kiani Tea in person, visit the flagship store located at: Kiani Tea, The Royal Exchange, London, EC3V 3LR
Kiani Tea is a love letter to Persian tea culture—its warmth, its depth, and its ability to bring people together. Through exceptional craftsmanship, authentic storytelling, and a dedication to sustainability, Sara has created a brand that goes beyond just selling tea. Kiani Tea is an experience, a journey, and a celebration of heritage in every cup.
Whether you’re a longtime tea lover or new to Persian blends, Kiani Tea offers a gateway into a world of history, tradition, and connection—one sip at a time.
Copyright Notice
All images used in this article featuring Kiani Tea, its products, and Sara Kiani are the property of Kiani Tea and Sara Kiani. These images are used with permission for editorial purposes only. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification of these images without explicit consent from the copyright holders is strictly prohibited.
For media inquiries or image usage requests, please contact Kiani Tea directly through their official website or social media channels.
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