Taylor Lindsay-Noel Is Changing the World One Cup of Tea at a Time

When life handed the founder of Cup of Té lemons, she turned them into a socially conscious luxury tea company.

spoons of tea leaves
Photo: Courtesy of Cup of Té

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If you're a fan of organic teas and beautiful teaware, then it's time to put Cup of Té on your radar. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Cup of Té, a loose-leaf tea company, was launched in 2018 by Taylor Lindsay-Noel, a tea-enthusiast and the host of the podcast Tea Time with Tay. Her mission was to bring organic products and luxurious accessories to other discerning tea lovers. "I thought it would be a great idea to be able to provide my audience with a quality product to consume as they listened to the interviews," says Lindsay-Noel.

Along with her love for tea, the driving force behind Cup of Té dates back to 2008, when Lindsay-Noel, a then-14-year old elite national gymnast poised to represent Canada in the 2012 Olympics, suffered a devastating fall from the high bar during practice. "I was rendered a quadriplegic and wheelchair-bound for life," she says. "Through Cup of Té, however, I hope to prove that, no matter your circumstances, anything is possible!"

Meaningful Tea Blends

Cup of Té currently offers 19 blends of organic and ethically-sourced teas, including Chai Chai Chai ($15, cupofte.com) and English Breakfast ($14, cupofte.com), as well as a bestselling blend of Ceremonial Organic Matcha ($29.99, cupofte.com) that's custom-made in Uji, Kyoto, Japan (the birthplace of Japanese matcha). "Our teas stand out in a crowded market due to their depth of flavor and versatility, as many are enjoyed both iced or hot," Lindsay-Noel says. As for which blend is her personal favorite, Lindsay-Noel says it's almost impossible to choose. "Picking a favorite is like picking a favorite child, but in the last few weeks I've been reaching for our Peppermint Devotion, Golden Citrus, and Noms Berry Delight," she says.

Gorgeous Teawares

In addition to a wide assortment of high-end tea blends, Cup of Té supplies a variety of beautifully-designed luxury accessories, including gold-finished infusers, handcrafted bamboo whisks, and an engraved cast-iron teapot set ($129.99, cupofte.com). "With every accessory we add to the line, I take a great deal of time consulting with our manufacturers as well as our designers to make sure that aesthetically we are keeping all of our products on brand," Lindsay-Noel says. "I always keep in mind the importance of the unboxing experience, and I want every single accessory and customer to always feel as though we put a lot of forethought into our products, because we really do."

Giving Back

After her accident, Lindsay-Noel says she was determined to redefine the situation by transforming it into something positive. "I launched Cup of Té with the aim of combining my passion for organic tea with my desire to give something back to the community," she says. True to her word, the company donates a portion of their proceeds to mental health awareness causes and charities. "The luxurious branding along with the social initiatives are imperative to my brand's identity," she explains.

Looking Ahead

In 10 years, Lindsay-Noel says she wants Cup of Té to be synonymous with quality organic tea. "I would love to have a gorgeous tea store in every major city across North America, where people can sit down and enjoy tea with great company," she says. "I would also love to expand our social impact by donating to more causes, including spinal cord injury research."

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