neighbors 01
the first giftset by loeytea
About Neighbors 01
Creating a tea sampler—or a giftset like this—has always been one of the most joyful and meaningful parts of our work.
It gives us a chance to express who we are through freer forms and more personal designs. We named our first series Neighbors to reflect the hands that chose us in the beginning—those who quietly supported our start. This is our quiet way of saying thank you.
We’ve often released house-shaped packaging when testing new, experimental designs. There’s something deeply comforting about the shape of a house.
And as we thought more about “neighbors,” we pictured the people who live right beside us—physically close, but each with their own story and style.
In today’s world, being neighbors means being distinct but connected. That led us to the brick homes of New York—densely packed, yet expressive and full of charm.
Neighbors 01 is a tribute to that idea.
Buy at Amazon
for convenience
We offer our products on Amazon
We use trusted platforms with strong logistics systems in each country—
ones customers are already familiar with.
Rather than being everywhere, we focus on platforms that truly work for each region, ensuring a smooth and reliable shopping experience.
Released: January 2025
Each housed in a uniquely illustrated brick-house box, designed to resemble a charming city street.
Contents:
4 blends in mini box format (loose leaf)
Each mini box includes a reusable aluminum canister inside.
Earl Grey
Apple Cinnamon
Sweet Berries
Cream Strawberry
Creating this box set was more than just packaging—it was about structure, proportion, and function. We started with the idea of recreating a row of New York brick houses. That long, vertical form brought challenges: the outer shape had to stay slim, while the inside securely held food-grade tea and preserved its aroma.
Box-shaped products always raise the question of how to pack what goes inside. PE pouches with resealable zippers are common, but they didn’t visually match the format. So we turned to the aluminum canisters we’d originally designed for black tea—airtight, minimal, and clearly purposeful.
We briefly considered using two shorter cans per box, but a single tall cylinder felt more intuitive and cleaner in form. The entire structure was then built around that slim, vertical tin.
It was clean, light, and sealed perfectly without extra fuss. We decided to use it for all blends. Each can is labeled at the top, with the body intentionally left bare—showing the raw material like a quiet object in a contemporary gallery. We tried applying wraps and textures, but nothing looked right. Small curves in the body distorted stickers, and complex coatings felt like over-design. For now, we’re letting the can speak for itself.
The outer paper boxes were then designed to match—scaled like typical four-story buildings, with the ground floor as a storefront. Getting the proportions right took many rounds. It might look simple, but every line had to feel natural—like a real city block, drawn to human scale.
HOW IT
TOOK SHAPE
Brick House
WHAT INSPIRED US
The individual boxes were inspired by classic New York brick houses—buildings that became iconic not just for their look, but for how and why they were built. In the 19th century, as New York rapidly expanded, brick became a preferred construction material. It was fire-resistant, relatively affordable, and easy to transport locally, making it the most practical choice for dense urban neighborhoods. Over time, entire blocks were lined with nearly identical structures, forming what we now associate with the “brick house” landscape.
But walking through those same neighborhoods today, you’ll notice something else: not all bricks are red. Many buildings have been painted black, white, gray, or even pastel shades—personalized by the people who live there. The uniformity gave way to character, and we wanted to reflect that, too. That’s why each tea box is wrapped in a high-resolution photographic texture taken from real brick walls—preserving the irregularities, grain, and personality of aged stone. It’s not a flat graphic, but a pattern built from actual surfaces, treated like a canvas.
DESIGN BY LOEYTEA
How We Chose These Four
We began our tea journey in 2017, and officially introduced the name LOEYTEA in the spring of 2025. At first, we sold in a wide range of black teas, followed by single herbs and blended teas. Only a few of those early selections gained attention, and over time, we quietly refined our offerings—letting go of what didn’t resonate and holding onto what our customers returned to. Each year, we continue to observe, adjust, and rebuild our lineup with care.
Building a sampler is always a challenge. It’s never just about variety—it’s about what feels right to give and to receive. Most tea sets are gifts. We often see them shared with parents, teachers, professors, mentors, or close friends—people who matter. But the recipients are as different as they come: some are deeply familiar with tea, others not at all. So each blend must strike a balance—widely understood, yet uniquely ours.
For this first sampler, we also wanted to tell a story. Our Earl Grey, with its signature floral aroma, represents who we are—it’s the tea we hope to be remembered by. The others bring a sense of rhythm and warmth: Cream Strawberry recalls the sweetness of childhood ice cream, Sweet Berries evokes a plate of fruit lovingly placed on a table, and Apple Cinnamon brings the comforting scent of a freshly baked pie. They feel like neighbors—each with a quiet story of their own, living side by side.
01
ABOUT TEA
Earl Grey
The signature that defines us
This is our most classic blend—so we chose to wrap it in black. It’s a black tea in both name and spirit: timeless, essential, and quietly bold.
We start with high-grown Dimbula tea from Sri Lanka, known for its naturally floral notes. To this, we add a refined bergamot oil—one that carries its own floral lift. Together, they create a layered, fragrant profile that’s both vivid and enduring. Some call it citrusy, others say floral. We simply hope it’s memorable.
02
03
02
03
ABOUT TEA
APPLE CINNAMON
A SCENT THAT FEELS LIKE HOME
This blend was made with a memory in mind. The kind of scent that escapes from a warm kitchen—a pie in the oven, cinnamon in the air, and someone calling you to the table.
Just dried apple and cinnamon—together, they create gentle harmony. It’s comforting, familiar, and gently spiced—like something you’ve always known, even if it’s the first time.
01
01
ABOUT TEA
SWEET BERRIES
A dish left on the table
It’s the kind of scene you remember from childhood—when your mother would quietly leave a plate of berries on the table, just in case you felt like something sweet.
This blend brings together a generous mix of real berries, layered with flavor and aroma to create a bright, juicy infusion. It’s slightly tangy, deeply fruity, and full of character.
Among our fruit blends, this is the one we most confidently recommend.
02
03
02
03
ABOUT TEA
CREAM STRAWBERRY
LIKE THE ICE CREAM YOU LOVED AS A CHILD
This blend was inspired by a simple joy—strawberry ice cream on a warm day, sweet and milky and pink, the kind that always made you smile before the first spoonful.
It blends gentle cream flavor with bright strawberry notes, softening the fruit’s tartness into something round and cheerful. There’s a softness to this tea, like a scoop of something familiar and a little nostalgic. Not too strong, not too sweet—just quietly delightful.
01
GIFT EXPERIENCE
ㅤ
TEA & MEANING
ㅤ
Sharing Small Things
with Sincerity
A tea sampler begins with a gesture. One person holding something out, hoping it’s received with warmth.
Making a tea sampler always begins with a scene in mind—someone offering a box to someone else. A quiet gesture, simple but personal. That’s the image we returned to again and again: how it would feel to give this, and how it might feel to receive it.
Through many rounds of shaping, balancing, and refining, we tried to create something that holds both ease and personality. This is a gift set that blends familiarity with a little surprise—one we’re happy to recommend, and even happier to imagine being passed from hand to hand.