Smith Teamaker

Overview

Smith Teamaker is an artisanal tea company that blends and packs small-batch teas and herbal infusions sourced from producing regions worldwide. Founded by Steven Smith, a veteran of the tea industry who previously established Stash and Tazo, the company operates from a historic 100-year-old blacksmith shop in Portland and has grown into one of the fastest-growing beverage companies in North America. The brand positions itself around exceptional quality, rare ingredients, and direct relationships with tea producers globally, with an omnichannel business model spanning e-commerce, tasting rooms, restaurants, and retail partnerships across the US, Canada, and Asia.

History

Steven Smith founded Smith Teamaker in 2009 in Portland, Oregon, building on his prior experience founding Stash Tea and Tazo. The company operates from a former blacksmith shop on Northwest Thurman Street and has achieved over 30% compound annual growth rate. Smith Teamaker produces approximately 30 million servings annually from its Portland TeaWorks facility and sources plant-based ingredients from 30 countries. The company has expanded into the ready-to-drink segment with bottled iced tea offerings and operates multiple tasting room locations in Portland.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Smith Teamaker produces all teas in-house at its Portland TeaWorks facility, blending and packing small batches with ingredients sourced directly from friends and producers in 30 countries. The company maintains vertical control over production quality and uses artisanal methods to craft its offerings. Manufacturing is concentrated in Portland, with no significant outsourcing of core production.

Notable Products

• Meadow - Caffeine-free blend of chamomile, rooibos, hyssop, and rose petal
• Exceptional Iced Tea - Ready-to-drink bottled iced tea in the RTD product line
• Lemon Black - Ready-to-drink iced tea variant with lemon and black tea
• Fez Iced Tea - Ready-to-drink iced tea offering in the bottled segment
• Small-Batch Blended Teas - Signature artisanal tea blends crafted by Steven Smith using rare and exotic ingredients

Reputation

Smith Teamaker is recognized within specialty tea circles for its commitment to quality, small-batch production, and direct sourcing relationships with tea producers worldwide. The brand appeals to tea enthusiasts and fine dining establishments seeking premium, distinctive offerings. The company's heritage through founder Steven Smith's prior success with Stash and Tazo lends credibility in the industry. The brand's focus on artisanal methods and ingredient sourcing positions it as a premium player rather than a mass-market competitor, though specific criticisms or limitations are not evident in available sources.