Named after a verse written by Tang dynasty poet Lu Tong, Seven Cups honors the tradition of Chinese tea culture by sourcing varieties directly from China. The company works with 22 producers across 10 regions. Often, the founders and other staff members travel to China to absorb information about how the teas are grown and processed, sometimes bringing tea-loving laypeople along for periodic tours of the countryside.

Though they subscribe to the notion that you can never learn everything there is to know about tea, their blog and award-winning Tucson teahouse aim to help people become a bit more knowledgeable about the subject and a little less thirsty. Customers can peruse the store for tea and accessories; stop in for a tasting with a certified tea master; or witness a traditional tea ceremony.