WE CELEBRATE OUR 200th ANNIVERSARY
and you get the rewards.

Ronnefeldt celebrates its 200th anniversary. An excellent reason to thank you for your loyalty. Because with you, we want to write the next 200 years of tea history. Join us on the historic journey of a family-run tea trading company and look forward to a whole year full of special surprises and promotions.

LET´S PARTEA
We’re celebrating – join us.

Musical accompaniment is part of every successful birthday! We’ve put together the right songs in a Spotify playlist to get you in the mood for the anniversary – to dance, celebrate or simply enjoy.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY
THANK YOU

Passion and visions of tea

The question of the recipe for success of a 200-year-old family business may be easier to answer than one might think. I am convinced that it is our passion for tea that has driven us tirelessly over generations.

When Johann Tobias Ronnefeldt set out in search of the finest teas from distant lands in the early days of the 19th century, he chose a challenging path. For me, this makes the task of carrying on this traditional company with vision and pride all the more a matter of honour.

Together with you and our passionate employees, we have managed to develop into one of the world’s leading tea brands in the upscale hotel and catering industry. We are so proud.

Looking to the future with great anticipation: The Next 200 Years Of Tea Excellence

I would be delighted if we can continue to inspire you with the finest tea enjoyment and if we can write tea history together.

Sincerely,

Jan-Berend Holzapfel
Proprietor

GIVE US 2 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME
We’ll give you 200 years of ours.

1823 to 2023
Two centuries full of exciting tea stories and influential personalities. The only true constant: the wonderful natural product tea.

Be curious and come with us on a journey through 200 years of company history – from the foundation in 1823 by Johann Tobias Ronnefeldt to today and into the next 200 years.

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

Loser Tee in Form eines Herzen mit einer Bio-Flagge

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

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

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.

Back to overview

1823

Founding

After completing his apprenticeship and expanding his knowledge of the import and export business, Johann Tobias Ronnefeldt set up shop as an independent importer in his hometown of Frankfurt in 1823.

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.

Ronnefeldt Tea Tour
in the Palmengarten Frankfurt

As part of the special partnership with the Palmengarten Frankfurt , a botanical garden which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, Ronnefeldt tea tours will take place from May 26th. These tours will focus on the tea plant Camellia sinensis, from which most tea varieties are made. Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of tea and learn more about the different varieties, their production, and their history.

"We at Ronnefeldt are incredibly proud to collaborate with the Palmengarten, such a traditional and beautiful place here in our hometown of Frankfurt. Our collaboration allows us to share our expertise and passion for tea with a wider audience and provide the visitors of the Palmengarten with a truly special experience. I hope that the Palmengarten visitors will enjoy the Ronnefeldt tea tour and take home a new understanding and appreciation for tea," said Jan-Berend Holzapfel.

WE CELEBRATE OUR 200th ANNIVERSARY and you get the rewards.

LET´S PARTEA We’re celebrating – join us.