A Practical Holiday Gift Guide for Tea Lovers
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Delight loved ones this holiday season with PARU premium teas, tisanes, and tea-inspired goods.
We source our single-origin teas from small farms in under represented regions around the world. Our blends are original and made in-house, so you can't find them anywhere else.
Browse our curated list below for easy shopping. All items available online and in-store at 3034 Cañon St in San Diego, CA.
For the Tea Lover
Premium Tea Subscription
Receive three carefully curated teas at the beginning of each month with our subscription service. Each delivery comes with two caffeinated teas, one tisane (or herbal tea), an information card, and a complimentary garnish. Our options include:
- Monthly (cancel or pause anytime) ($29.95)
- 6-Month Subscription
- Annual Subscription (Save 20%)
Shop Premium Tea Subscriptions from $29.95
Chiang Rai Collection
Our CHIANG RAI COLLECTION features three organic Assam teas grown and handpicked in the remote Thai village of Wawee at 800–900 meters above sea level: white, green, and black.
Shop CHIANG RAI COLLECTION for $65
For the Tea Curious
Tea Flight Kit (Our No.1. Bestseller)
This kit includes:
- 3 Loose Leaf Teas. Choose from a curated set:
- Classic: Saigon Breakfast, Milk Oolong, Blue Chamomile
- Black: Saigon Breakfast, London Grey, Black Hibiscus
- Oolong: Iron Goddess, Milk Oolong, Honey Orchid
- Green: Moriuchi's Sencha, Dragonwell, Jasmine Wild
- Tisane (non- caffeinated): Blue Chamomile, Coconut Chai, Citrus Mint
- 10 PARU Filter Tea Bags
- Complimentary Wooden Spoon
- Tasting Guide & Tea Note Guide
For the New to Tea
Kinto Unimug
A sleek, modern setup for easy daily sipping. Enjoy loose leaf tea without the hassle.
Tea Flight Kit: Classic
We've already featured the Tea Flight Kit on this list but we highly recommend Classic for anyone who is new to tea and/or new to PARU.
This kit includes three of our best-loved teas: Blue Chamomile (Herbal), Milk Oolong (Semi-Oxidized, in between green and black), and Saigon Breakfast (Black).
Shop Tea Flight Kit (Classic) for $36
For the Matcha Lover
Ceremonial Matcha
This month, we released 10K Ceremonial Matcha, sourced directly from the culturally rich prefecture of Kyoto. Compared to our single-origin Ceremonial Matcha from Mie, which offers a slightly nutty taste, 10K produces a sweet, smooth finish.
Ceremonial matcha is meant to be prepared traditionally with a whisk and water. For those who prefer lattes, we recommend our Organic Culinary Matcha, which offers bolder notes that will come through when prepared with milk.
Chasen (whisk) sold separately: Daily Chasen ($19) | Takayama Chasen ($42)
Shop our Ceremonial Matcha for $45
Ceremonial Matcha Set
The best way to enjoy ceremonial matcha is with a traditional set. Our set includes locally handmade ceramics from San Diego-based partner MAEK:
- Matcha Bowl (chawan)
- Matcha Whisk Holder
- Matcha Whisk (chasen)
- PARU Ceremonial Matcha
Shop Ceremonial Matcha Set for $150
Golden Turmeric Matcha (Seasonal)
Does the matcha lover on your list already have everything matcha? Surprise them with our superfood rich Golden Turmeric Matcha.
In addition to turmeric and matcha, this blend features cinnamon, ginger, and ground pepper, making it the punchiest tea in our repertoire.
Shop Golden Turmeric Matcha (6.5 oz) for $32
For the Oolong Lover
Oolong teas are semi-oxidized, somewhere between black (fully oxidized) and green (not oxidized), and offer some of the most complex flavor profiles.
Tea Flight Kit - Oolong
Our Oolong kit includes three classic teas with distinct flavor profiles: Iron Goddess (classic, slightly floral), Milk Oolong (sweet, creamy, buttery), and phoenix oolong Honey Orchid (lychee, stonefruit).
Shop Tea Flight Kit (Oolong) for $42
For a Housewarming
PARU Tea Light Candle by 1502
Smells of fresh cotton and white tea. Topped with our house-blend of our white tea leaves, rose, marigolds and cornflower.
Shop the PARU Tea Light Candle (12 oz) for $36
PARU x MAEK Teacups - Set of 2
The only thing more comforting than a cup of tea is a handmade teacup to enjoy it in. Also custom made by our partners at MAEK with a natural white glaze, this teacup set will be tempting to keep for yourself.
Shop PARU x Maek 6 oz Teacups (Set of 2) for $39
KINTO Tea Tray
You'll be surprised at the wonderful ways in which a simple tray can elevate your tea drinking experience. This KINTO tea tray fits 1–2 cups comfortably.
KINTO Glass Teapot
Use this teapot for a streamlined, visually arresting tea experience. We stock a glass pot so you can witness the beauty of steeping tea.
Shop KINTO Glass Teapot for $39
For the Sweet Tooth
Hojicha Chocolate Bar
Handcrafted with premium French chocolate, hojicha, and toasted rice by chocolatier and confectioner Deux Cranes, this chocolate bar makes the perfect stocking stuffer and sells out early every year.
Pre-order Hojicha Chocolate Bar for $12
Earl Grey & Lavender Dark Chocolate Bar (Vegan)
Also made in partnership with Deux Cranes, our Earl Grey & Lavender Dark Chocolate Bar is packed with soothing, floral notes.
Pre-order Earl Grey & Lavender Dark Chocolate Bar for $12
Hojicha + Matcha Milk Jam Set (Set of 2)
Made with Uji matcha or hojicha (roasted green tea), plus beet sugar and Hokkaido milk, these jams will make a delightfully sweet addition to toast, crackers, or ice cream. We recommend you purchase early—we sold out of our first run the day we released them.
Shop Hojicha + Matcha Milk Jam Set for $29
Okinawa Sugar
Made with three standout ingredients—wakoucha (aged Japanese red tea), Formosa oolong, and Okinawan black sugar crystals—this blend offers a satisfyingly sweet, biscuit-like flavor. This tea makes for a truly special afternoon tea. Try it iced with one-fifth milk for a creamy treat.
For the Baker
Culinary Matcha
This powder is perfect, pretty matcha in everything. Try it in baking, smoothies, ice cream, and iced matcha drinks
Shop Culinary Matcha (8.5 oz) for $39
Hojicha Powder
From lattes to scones to chiffon cakes to gelato, the possibilities are endless with our Japanese roasted green tea powder.
Shop Hojicha Powder (8 oz) for $39
Earl Grey Lavender
Infuse the butter in your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe with our Earl Grey Lavender tea leaves for a sumptuous, elevated batch.
Shop Earl Grey Lavender from $18
For Anyone Who Misses Japan
Moriuchi's Sencha (Bestseller)
My partner and I used to study, live, and work in Japan. Whenever we are feeling nostalgic, which is often, we put on a pot of Moriuchi's Sencha (sourced from our friend's award-winning farm in Shizuoka), and it instantly takes us back to the teahouses and restaurants there. This classic Japanese green tea is also great for digestion.
Shop Moriuchi's Sencha from $24
To Surprise and Delight (Single Bags)
The holidays aren't the holidays without a pot of tea. Here are some teas and tisanes that I personally enjoy with my family around Christmastime and the new year.
Blue Chamomile (Bestseller)
Why I love it: You can drink multiple cups without worrying about the caffeine because there is none!
This well-rounded blend is offered at local restaurants like Hachi Ramen and Azuki Sushi in Bankers Hill. We've had a handful of people try the tea after dinner and later walk into PARU to tell us that Blue Chamomile is the best tea they've ever had. We're so grateful and humbled by this, and we're happy to be able to offer such a lovely experience.
More about Blue Chamomile: An original herbal tea blend that steeps blue-violet because it's made with a natural Thai herb, butterfly pea flower. Add a bit of lemon and watch your tea turn from blue to violet to pink.
Shop Blue Chamomile at Paru Tea Bar from $18
Milk Oolong (Bestseller)
Why I love it: The aroma is heavenly—almost addicting—and the flavor is naturally sweet. Oolong teas are also great for digestion.
An unassuming oolong with a naturally sweet and creamy flavor
Pandan Waffle
Why I love it: It was inspired by my memory of sweet Vietnamese desserts, chè ba màu or “three-color dessert.”
This blend is made from Assam wild green tea from Chiang Rai and mixed with nostalgic ingredients like roasted sticky rice, coconut, pandan, and jujube.
Shop Pandan Waffle at Paru Tea Bar from $36
Yuzu Chai (Seasonal)
Why I love it: If you're sensitive to spices like me but still want to enjoy a holiday chai, this sweet, citrusy option is perfect.
Wild black tea and aromatic spices in this blend are all sourced from Vietnam. Sweet citrus notes from yuzu uplift this chai and keeps you feeling warm and brisk.
Shop Yuzu Chai at Paru Tea Bar from $42
Find more gifts for tea lovers on our website.