Tea Apothecary
22A Magdalene Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AF
Born in Siberia, the ritual of tea drinking was part of the very fabric of life for Victoria Rothe. So, it’s hardly surprising that the self-confessed ‘tea devotee’ has transformed her enduring passion for loose-leaf tea into a thriving business.
Victoria and husband Edvard run artisan independent Tea Apothecary from a characterful 700-year-old building on Magdalene Street, surrounded by fellow indies. Customers are enticed into the warm, welcoming tea shop, which has a cosy seating area and piano, by the intoxicating aroma of freshly-brewed blends. Inside, the neon sign ‘Tranquillity, Positivity, Serenity’ extols the virtues of tea-drinking, and a dispensary boasts countless shelves of loose leaf tea, available to purchase by weight. The adjacent wall houses Tea Apothecary blends packaged in bright teal, pink, jade and gold boxes, alongside locally-made artisan crafts including beautifully-glazed teacups by potter Aga Robak.
Victoria and Edvard have curated a delicious assortment of top-quality black, herbal, green and loose leaf teas, many with quirky names such as Geisha Green (a citrusy Sencha green tea from Japan) and Holy Smoke (a dark, mysterious Russian Caravan blend). As you’d expect, Victoria is an oracle on tea, happy to advise customers on the seasonally-rotating infusions, many of which support health, so may improve focus, promote better sleep or ease digestive issues.
Victoria previously worked as a management consultant in London, but when the family relocated to Cambridge, they saw an opportunity, and launched Tea Apothecary on Cambridge Market in March 2022. Expanding to Ely Farmer’s Market and beyond, they acted on the burgeoning demand for their exquisite blends by opening bricks and mortar premises in August 2024.
Victoria and Edvard hope to make Tea Apothecary a buzzing community hub, hosting fun tea-focused events and serving hot drinks, whilst spreading their love and appreciation for an exceptional (loose leaf) cuppa!