Glass cup of amber-colored tea, bowl of colorful loose tea, and a golden teaspoon on white textured pedestals.

Jan-Berend Holzapfel - Managing Director of Ronnefeldt

Passion and vision for tea

A long history of success

Establishing a tea company in Frankfurt, far away from major seaports, was a bold step in the early 19th century. Our success story dates back nearly 200 years – now we are one of the world’s leading tea brands served at top hotels thanks to our focus on quality and creativity and our love of tea.

You need to be patient and passionate if you want to be successful in the tea business. This is why we cultivate our business relationships with the same attention to detail as we do our tea gardens: We have taken a sustainable and long-term approach ever since our company was founded by Johann Tobias Ronnefeldt in 1823. As the proprietor of the company I am continuing this rich tradition with the same vision and passion.

Jan-Berend Holzapfel
Owner

Collaboration with

130

employees

Tea enjoyment in

countries

Variety thanks to over

350

different kinds of tea

Quality for over

200

years

Excellent tea from selected countries

The quality of our tea is a top priority for us. To meet our high standards, we select only the best growing countries for our tea gardens and perform regular quality checks to ensure the compliance of all Ronnefeldt products.

From the well-known tea gardens in Assam and Darjeeling on the slopes of the Himalayas and Yunnan in China, to Japan, Africa and South America – Ronnefeldt is looking for and finding the best teas in the whole world.

World map showing tea origins in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America with the text: “Where do our teas come from?”

World map showing tea origins in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America with the text: “Where do our teas come from?”

Ronnefeldt tea from Assam

Assam is a state in the northeast of India with the largest contiguous cultivation area comprising some 660 tea plantations on either side of the mighty Brahmaputra River at elevations between 300 and 800 metres. Assam is the second “true” homeland of tea besides China. Fertile forest floors and the hot and humid tropical climate provide ideal conditions for tea plants.

The taste, colour, aroma and strength of the tea vary depending on the soil conditions. Assam tea generally has a strong aromatic and malty taste. It is also appreciated by tea drinkers who prefer their tea with rock sugar and cream.

Ronnefeldt tea from Darjeeling

Darjeeling tea belongs to the most exquisite tea varieties, which is why it is considered the “champagne” among teas. The centre of tea cultivation on the southern slopes of the Himalayas surrounds the city of Darjeeling. The tea gardens range in elevation from 800 to 2,200 metres, but the premium grades of tea are produced only in the highest altitudes.

Clear mountain air and the intense sunlight produce fine, elegant teas. The region is known for the first flush in spring, second flush in summer and autumnals late in the season.

Ronnefeldt tea from Ceylon

The island of Ceylon has been known as Sri Lanka since 1972. But when we speak of tea, the old name of the island is still used. Ceylon tea is grown at an altitude of 500 to 2,000 metres and picked at different times depending on the monsoon rains. Harvesting takes place from July to September in the eastern Uva district and from January through March in the western Dimbula region.

Ceylon tea has a medium-bodied, citrusy taste with fresh and pleasantly bitter notes.

Ronnefeldt tea from China

In China tea is offered to guests as a welcoming drink and is a must for any (special) occasion. It is said to foster friendship and the exchange of ideas. China is known not only for its green and partly fermented teas but also for its black teas. Keemun is the most famous black tea variety. It contains few tannins and is therefore a light aromatic tea with a slightly sweet taste.

The Lapsang Souchong variety has a rather smoky flavour. Traditionally sugar, milk or other ingredients are not added to tea in China.

Ronnefeldt tea from Japan

Traditionally, some of the finest teas in the world come from Japan. Japanese tea culture has produced true masterpieces when it comes to green tea. Key factors for this are a long tradition and unique production methods.

The tea farmers have learned from their parents how to properly care for the tea plants, where to cultivate the tea gardens, the right time to harvest and the associated picking and processing techniques. This knowledge is based on experience and has been passed down for generations. Moreover, the geographical conditions here are ideal for growing excellent tea:

Clean mountain air
Mineral-rich spring water
Fertile soil
High humidity
A perfect climate

Ronnefeldt tea from Colombia

Join Ronnefeldt on a special expedition as we explore a fascinating country located between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforests. Although Colombia may be much better known for cultivating coffee and cocoa, the cloud forests in the northwest are home to a small, yet fine tea region. Tea has been cultivated in Colombia since the 1950s, but the tea garden Bitaco® has been producing unique teas since 2013, most of them in organic quality and with an amazing flavour – like a touch of nature, adventure and freedom.

The partnership of the tea experts at Ronnefeldt and the Colombian tea garden stems from our fascination with this new discovery. The garden is especially known for its high-quality black tea cultivated according to traditional methods and produced largely by hand. Tea connoisseurs from around the world appreciate the mild sweetness and light honey note of these full-bodied teas.

Ronnefeldt herbal infusions

Whether mono herbs or finely balanced herbal blends carefully and imaginatively composed with plants from controlled farming: Our tea tasters visit more than just the herb gardens in our own backyard. They also obtain ingredients from South America, Morocco and China. Our soothing and caffeine-free rooibos and honeybush teas come from South Africa.

Ronnefeldt fruit infusions

We use only premium ingredients – selected with great care from around the world – such as berries, fruit pieces, blossoms, leaves and roots for our aromatic Ronnefeldt fruit infusions. We also examine the ingredients extensively before we process them. Our quality checks start in the country of origin and continue until the perfectly composed tea has found its way in our teabags.

All of our fruit infusions are brightly coloured energisers that are ideal for unwinding. They are refreshing and delicious thanks to their unique compositions. Indulge and enjoy!

200 YEARS
A journey through time

Founding a tea house away from the major seaports in Frankfurt am Main was a bold move in 1823. Developing this company into one of the world's leading tea brands is a 200-year success story based on passion, inventiveness and love for tea.

Friederike Ronnefeldt with her children ca. 1847

FAMILY BUSINESS

Long-term thinking, future-oriented decisions and personal relationships with partners and customers – these are the traits of a family-run business. Friederike Ronnefeldt knew this when she took over the tea trade from her late husband in 1845. And so did her sons and all their successors – up to the present day.

Photo: Friederike Ronnefeldt with her children ca. 1847

Mr King with the oldest ‘teaman’ of Hankou

COLLABORATION

Herwarth Westphal, the grandson of Carl Rudolf and Emma Ronnefeldt, was born in Shanghai in 1922. His father’s family had already been represented in China with their tea trading company for five generations. Herwarth’s parents worked in a joint venture with the firm King & Ramsay. Historical photographs of this partnership show what tea rooms looked like at the time. In this picture, you can see Mr King alongside the oldest ‘teaman’ of Hankou, one of the most important tea trading centres during that time.

Photo: Mr King with the oldest ‘teaman’ of Hankou

Historic trading ships at sea under sail, evoking early global tea trade.

CONTAINER SHIPS

Since time immemorial, tea has been transported to Europe across the sea by merchant ships. In recent times, however, there has been an exception; the first Darjeeling harvest, which is aroma-sensitive, is usually transported by air. Since 2021, we no longer transport tea by air. This is an example of the future-oriented decisions that play an important role when it comes to fighting climate change and preserving nature.

FEMALE-RUN BUSINESS

Friederike Ronnefeldt, the wife of founder Johann Tobias Ronnefeldt, had five children, took care of their education and the household and became a widow at an early age. After the death of her husband, the she led the then-still-young Ronnefeldt company to a successful future, as can be seen today, 200 years later. Friederike Ronnefeldt was thus one of the first female CEOs in history.

Photo: Friederike Ronnefeldt ca. 1890

SINCE 1823 – OUR HISTORY

Ronnefeldt has been delivering high-class tea for 200 years. Since then, the company is looking back at a long tradition and focuses on enjoyment and luxury products.

Back to overview

2023

200th anniversary

Ronnefeldt celebrates its 200th anniversary and continues to focus on excellent gourmet tea from the best tea gardens in the world.

The Next 200 Years of Tea Excellence.

THE NEXT 200 YEARS

Tradition with a future
We have gained a lot of experience over the last 200 years.
And we are taking this knowledge with us into the next 200 years.

As a dynamic company, it is important to us to move with the times and to anticipate current challenges, sustainably and responsibly. The focus is always on the enjoyment of a special drink in harmony with nature and our values.