Why We Started Sterling Berry
There are millions of incredible coffee shops across the country, but there is one problem: the tea in those shops is generally bad. We believe that is the reason many people think they don't like tea, despite its limitless flavors and incredible health benefits.
We started Sterling Berry to change that. We believe you deserve a cup of tea that is as thoughtfully crafted as the finest espresso.
A World of Flavor in Every Blend
We provide high-quality teas and tisanes using selected natural ingredients sourced from around the world. By carefully balancing premium tea leaves with global herbs, we create unique combinations that prioritize both flavor and wellness.
From bold black teas and refreshing greens to our signature aromatic blends, you can always rely on Sterling Berry for the finest selections on the market. Our specialty tisanes are crafted to be the best in the industry, inviting you to rediscover how exciting the world of tea can truly be.
Boutique Quality, Personal Service
As a boutique tea company, we take our products—and our customers—very seriously. Because we are small and specialized, we are able to provide outstanding, personal customer service that the big brands can't match.
We proudly offer:
Custom Blends: Looking for a specific flavor profile? We welcome custom requests.
Wholesale Accounts: Bring premium tea to your café, restaurant, or shop.
Local Roots: Proudly serving the Raleigh, Cary, and Apex areas with local pickup options.
Thank You For Supporting Small Business
Your patronage is essential to us. As a growing company, we truly value your support and look forward to serving you a great cup of tea. Thank you for being a part of the Sterling Berry journey!
Our TEAS
All tea come from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis. The differences between teas arise from processing, growing conditions, and geography. The Camellia Sinensis plant is native to Asia, but is currently cultivated around the world in tropical and subtropical areas.
Black Tea
The process for making black tea is defined by allowing the leaf to fully oxidize during production (which means water evaporates out of the leaf and the leaf absorbs more oxygen from the air). The results are the characteristic dark brown and black leaf with typically more robust and pronounced flavors.
Green Tea
All tea starts out green. The green tea process is defined by preventing oxidation. Shortly after picking, the leaves are “fired” (rapid heating) to arrest oxidation and keep the leaf “green” for the duration of production. Green teas are typically steeped for shorter amounts of time and at lower temperatures which will produce a lighter cup with less caffeine.
Oolong Tea
Oolong teas are roughly defined as any tea that undergoes partial oxidation (10-90%), but this fact is not useful by itself. “Baking” (take the term literally) is also a common technique in making oolong tea so it is impossible to summarize categorically. The regional styles and cultivars used tend to define them more than anything else. For example, we refer to both Ti Kwan Yin and Big Red Robe as oolong tea, but they have nothing in common.
White Tea
The best way to define white tea is by a lack of processing. To crudely summarize, the leaves are picked and gently dried until they are finished. Since they are handled minimally and not re-shaped in any way, the finished product tends to be bulky with the possibility of some incidental oxidation, but nothing intentional.
Puer Tea
All puer tea comes from the southwest region of Yunnan, China. There are two types of Puer: sheng puer and shu puer. Sheng puer is a simple non-oxidized tea whose finished product will change naturally over time. Shu puer starts out as a sheng puer, but goes through one more deliberate and accelerated "post fermentation" process to speed up this change into a matter of weeks as opposed to years.
HERBAL Tea
Herbal teas—less commonly called tisanes—are beverages made from the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water. The term "herbal tea" is often used in contrast to true teas, which are prepared from the cured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis