The matcha latte you enjoyed in California and the spiced chai you found in an Ontario café may both turn up when you search for Equator Tea. The shared name makes them easy to mix up, especially if all you remember is the word on the takeaway cup. A closer look at the two roasters reveals different suppliers, different blends and a few familiar flavors in both shops.
California’s Equator Coffees offers organic teas from Silk Road Teas, including Dragon Well green tea and Japanese ceremonial matcha. Canada’s Equator Coffee Roasters carries Rishi Tea, with choices such as English Breakfast, Masala Chai and Turmeric Ginger. The right range depends on what you want from the cup, whether that’s a strong brew with milk or something lighter after dinner.
Why the Equator name leads to two tea ranges
In California, look for Equator Coffees. The roaster has cafés in San Francisco and Oakland, among other locations. In Ontario, look for Equator Coffee Roasters, whose roastery is in Almonte and whose cafés include locations in the Ottawa area. If you’re tracking down a drink you had on holiday, the city is your best clue.
The supplier matters most when both shops sell a familiar variety. Take Earl Grey. Both roasters list it, but the Canadian shop carries the Rishi version, a black tea scented with bergamot oil. If you remember exactly how a cup tasted and want to buy it again, look for the supplier’s name alongside the variety.
You may also come across Equator Crest Exporters while searching. The Kenyan business sells highland tea in bulk, including black tea sourced from areas such as Kericho and Nandi. You’re more likely to encounter it when looking for a trade supplier than when ordering a few sachets for the kitchen.
What to try from California’s organic tea range
Dragon Well is a good starting point if you’re curious about organic green tea. It has a gentle, chestnut-like character that makes it an easy cup to drink plain. White Peony is another option for those who prefer a softer brew. Its light fruit notes make it an interesting choice if your usual afternoon cup is a strong black tea.
Yunnan Black belongs at the breakfast table. It has the malty depth you might want with buttered toast, and it takes a splash of milk without losing its character. For a later cup, the roaster’s chamomile and peppermint offer two different moods. Chamomile has a soft, apple-like aroma, while peppermint has a crisp finish that works well after a meal.
The ceremonial matcha comes as a fine powder in a tin. It’s made in Shizuoka, Japan, and has a smooth, savory flavor. If you first came across it in a sweetened latte, try it whisked with hot water. A small cup is enough to get a sense of the tea’s flavor before you decide how much milk or sweetness you like with it.
At the café, some California locations list hot matcha, a vanilla-sweetened matcha latte and a chai latte. Selected menus also include a rooibos chai latte, which gives you the warming spices of a chai-style drink in a caffeine-free option. Check the branch menu if you want to tr. a particular drink
What stands out in Canada’s Rishi Tea range
The Canadian range is a natural fit for anyone who likes familiar black teas or blends with a little more spice. Rishi English Breakfast is a straightforward choice for the first mug of the day, while Earl Grey brings a brighter citrus note. Both are available in sachet formats, which are handy if you usually brew one cup at a time.
Rishi Masala Chai is where the range gets bolder. It pairs black tea with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove, and black pepper. The pepper gives the blend some bite, while the cardamom brings a fragrant note that comes through even with milk. The Canadian roaster lists both sachets and loose-leaf tea, so you can choose the format that suits how often you make it.
Turmeric Ginger is worth a look if you enjoy the heat of ginger but want a herbal infusion. Turmeric gives the brew its golden color, and lemongrass and citrus peel brighten the flavor. It works well served plain, especially if you find milky chai a little heavy after dinner.
How to buy the right Equator Tea for your routine
Think about when you’re most likely to make it. If your first cup happens between getting dressed and leaving the house, tea sachets make sense. You can brew one in a mug and get on with your morning. Loose leaf is more practical if you regularly make a whole pot or like to adjust the strength by adding more or less tea.
Matcha asks for a little more time. Start by sifting a small amount of powder into a bowl, then whisk it with hot water until smooth. For a latte, add milk after you’ve whisked the tea. If you’re unsure whether you’d enjoy a full tin, a café cup is an easy way to try the flavor first.
Shopping for a gift? Earl Grey is a familiar choice for someone who already drinks black tea. Dragon Well makes a more interesting pick for a green tea drinker, while chamomile or peppermint suits someone who likes a hot drink in the evening. A small box also gives them room to try something new without working through a large bag.
Conclusion
The two ranges. California’s Equator Coffees is where to look for nutty Dragon Well, malty Yunnan Black, and a tin of Japanese matcha. Canada’s Equator Coffee Roasters is where you’ll find Rishi blends such as peppery Masala Chai and citrusy Turmeric Ginger, with loose-leaf choices for anyone who likes brewing a pot.
Your first cup. Start with the way you already drink tea. Choose Yunnan Black if you take milk at breakfast, Dragon Well if you like a lighter cup in the afternoon, or peppermint if you want something fresh after dinner. And if a matcha latte is what led you to Equator Tea in the first place, try one cup of plain matcha. You might find that the tea itself is what you want to taste again.
(FAQs)
Is Equator Tea organic?
California’s Equator Coffees lists its packaged range as organic. The Canadian roaster also carries organic Rishi blends, including Earl Grey, Masala Chai and Turmeric Ginger. Check the individual packaging when buying a particular tea.
Which Equator Tea is caffeine-free?
Plain chamomile and peppermint are naturally caffeine-free. Canada’s Rishi Turmeric Ginger is another herbal option. Green tea, black tea, and matcha contain caffeine, as does Masala Chai made with black tea.
Which tea should I choose if I usually drink English Breakfast?
Rishi English Breakfast is the familiar choice from the Canadian roaster. If you’re shopping the US range, try Yunnan Black for a malty cup that goes well with milk.
Is a matcha latte sweeter than plain matcha?
At selected California cafés, the matcha latte includes vanilla, which adds sweetness. Plain hot matcha is made with water and lets the green tea’s savory flavor come through.
Can I buy loose-leaf tea from Equator Coffee Roasters?
Yes. The Canadian roaster lists loose-leaf options such as Rishi Earl Grey, Masala Chai and Turmeric Ginger. Check the pack weight before ordering, as some come in one-pound bags.
