Let’s Spill the Tea: A Creative Brew with Teapsy Founders
What started as a cozy tea-drinking habit in a small North London flat has blossomed into a vibrant brand that’s shaking up the tea industry. Teapsy, created by best friends Jakub and Martyna, is more than just a tea company; it’s a creative outlet that blends unique flavours with stunning visuals. From their bestselling Moondust (chamomile and coconut) to Lava Lamp (lavender and blueberries), Teapsy is bringing an aesthetic and joyful experience to tea lovers around the world. We sat down with the founders to chat about their journey, their creative process, and, of course, tea!
How did the idea for Teapsy first come about?
Oh we were just so bored! It was the middle of the pandemic, stuck in our tiny studio flat, drinking copious amounts of tea… We thought to ourselves “this can be so much more interesting” and “how do we make this better”? To be honest, Teapsy first started as sort of an art project, only later to become a business.
Tea is such a creative outlet for you both. What’s the process like when you’re coming up with new flavours and blends?
We look at the world around us and try to see what others miss. All that beauty, nature, culture - it’s all an inspiration. We look into the things we loved when we were kids too. We often start with the art, only to later create a blend that fits the idea.
Many of your teas have whimsical names like Lava Lamp and Moondust. How do you come up with such fun and unique names for each blend?
It’s really a part of the whole process! There were teas that started with just a name. Take “Lava Lamp” for example - it’s such an odd thing on its own. The thought of it just pops into Martyna’s mind and she’s like “we need a Lava Lamp blend”. I don’t ask questions anymore, just get to work!
It’s kind of who we are! Martyna’s an artist, first and foremost. She would not let this be another boring tea brand. It’s all made in her natural art style and I think it’s great and so unique. The visual part really makes or breaks the brand, you know?
What’s your personal tea ritual? Are there specific blends you gravitate towards when you need comfort or inspiration?
We’re both very different in our preferences! I’m more of a black tea and milk kind of guy, whereas Martyna loves her fruity and herbal blends. I drink tea almost exclusively while working, she loves to have a little comfort cup of Moondust in the evening.
What role does sustainability play in the Teapsy brand?
It’s very important. We work hard to make our products sustainable - there’s still lots of work to be done! Luckily, there are many businesses now that make creating an eco-friendly product so much easier.
For someone new to Teapsy, which blend would you recommend starting with, and why?
This is a really hard question - we love all our blends equally! But after some thought, perhaps Princess - Strawberry Earl Grey would be the one to go?
Tea has always been a part of many people’s self-care routines. How do you see Teapsy fitting into the modern wellness movement?
You know, when speaking with our customers and friends, they always tell us how special it feels to sip on our tea... Being able to offer people something so unique and becoming a part of their life is a huge privilege. But ultimately, everyone’s self care looks different and to those that choose us to be a part of it - we’re forever grateful!
What’s been the most rewarding part of watching Teapsy grow?
I think it’s seeing the community grow and interact with us. Or when we launch a new tea and it almost sells out on Day 1, it’s one of the most satisfying things!
There are so many ways to enjoy tea—iced, hot, with milk or without. How do you like to enjoy your tea? Do you have any favourite tea recipes?
Oh we love experimenting. We have a whole collection of tea recipes on our instagram with the wildest extras! Great if you’re looking for inspiration. But ultimately, we always come back to the roots. In Poland (where we’re both from) it’s standard to drink black tea with some sugar and a squeeze of lemon. Hot herbal teas like peppermint are also a big part of our daily life.
Teapsy’s branding is so joyful and vibrant. How do you hope your teas make people feel when they see the packaging or take that first sip?
We just really want to inspire people and see beyond the usual. There’s something special about having a little piece of art in your cupboard, that you can also drink at any moment.
What’s next for Teapsy? Are there any exciting new blends or projects in the works that you can share with us?
Lots and lots of new things! We’re working on multiple new blends, some new Matcha flavours, merch... We’re also hoping to expand internationally and offer fast shipping to customers in the United States and beyond.
Finally, how do you and Martyna keep the creativity flowing, both in life and in business? Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to infuse creativity into their brand?
A lot of cartoons, haha! But seriously, just go out there and make something unique and true to you. There’s a child in all of us and it’s really useful to rediscover it when trying to create new things. Martyna takes a lot of her work from childhood nostalgia - perhaps it’s a good place to start?
Lastly, where can our readers shop your products?
www.teapsy.co.uk would probably your best bet - feel free to use code “MAGIC” for a cheeky 10% discount. We’re also available in lots of different places all across the UK, from super cool indie shops, to Yoga studios and big department stores like Selfridges.