Why Locals Love Holsome Teas & Herbs
Nestled discreetly in a charming alley behind 27 Witherspoon Street, Holsome Teas & Herbs is a true Princeton treasure for tea enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike. This quaint tea store exudes a warm, inviting ambiance that reflects its owner’s passion and deep knowledge of tea, offering a curated collection that caters to both traditional and adventurous palates.
What sets Holsome Teas & Herbs apart is its impressive variety of loose-leaf teas, ranging from expertly sourced organic green, black, and oolong teas to delicate herbal blends and vibrant fruit infusions. From subtle single ingredients like rose petals, ginger, and peppermint to fragrant blends like the notably delightful peach passion fruit tea, each variety promises a sensory journey with enticing aromas and layered flavors. The pricing is refreshingly fair, based on weight increments starting at just a quarter of a pound, making high-quality teas accessible to everyday drinkers and collectors alike.
Customers repeatedly praise the personalized and heartfelt service that characterizes every visit. As Shari Javines shares, the owner’s warm hospitality shines through, even offering fresh kiwi berries harvested from his own garden—a thoughtful touch that transforms a simple purchase into a memorable experience. This connection between store and customer cultivates a trusting atmosphere, making Holsome Teas feel less like a commercial outlet and more like a beloved neighborhood gem.
The shop’s hidden location near the Princeton Record Exchange adds to its charm, a quiet refuge for visitors to explore and sample tea options at their leisure. A recent visitor, Debbie Persaud, affectionately calls it a “hidden gem” with over 25 years of history, highlighting the consistency and care behind this well-established establishment. The steady stream of loyal patrons, as well as new customers who often become recurring fans after their first visit, speaks volumes about the quality and authenticity Holsome Teas brings to the local tea community.
For anyone seeking a flavorful escape through the world of tea, Holsome Teas & Herbs delivers more than just quality products—it offers an experience steeped in warmth, expertise, and a genuine love for the craft. Whether you’re buying your first loose leaf tea, searching for unique gifts, or looking for that perfect blend to sip slowly on a quiet afternoon, this tucked-away Princeton shop is sure to delight with its exceptional selection and truly personal touch.
Contact Information:
Address: Rear 27, 27 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542, United States
Phone: +1 609-279-1592
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Onsite services
- Delivery
- Quick visit
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 19, 2026
Tried this hole in the wall spot for the first time today and was pleasantly surprised! Not only is there an incredible variety of teas but the owner was a delight to buy from. He even offered kiwi berries from his own garden and they were fantastic. Great service and great tea. Highly recommend!
- Mar 1, 2026
As of 4/24/2025 Still open despite some other posts. The shop opens at 1 pm, not 11! If you aren’t sure call ahead and the owner will return your call.
- Jan 22, 2026
My absolute favorite place to buy tea. Wide selection of herbal teas such as fruit blends and single ingredients such as loose rose, ginger, peppermint, etc. The selection for green tea, oolong, and black tea is also just as vast with varying prices based on the grade of the tea. All the prices are incredibly fair and based on 1/4 lb to full pound. Most teas will be priced on average at $8 per 1/4 lb, as opposed to most places I have seen which will charge that price per oz. The teas I have purchased are all excellent quality with wonderful aroma and flavor and as long as it's stored correctly, they do not lose it easily. I still have peppermint I purchased over a year ago that has the same strength to it now I store my teas in a shut pantry out of sunlight in mason jars and this has held them up great. You can purchase a 16-20oz tea for about $2.50 and he loads the tea bags up so that the teas flavor can really come through In conclusion, should I move further away one day. I would still make the drive. Paul is a generous and knowledgeable man with a love for tea and a desire to share that with others. The store is found down an alleyway on Witherspoon which can make it hard to find, but it is absolutely worth it. In the videos are just some of the teas we have enjoyed.
- Jan 22, 2026
Holsome Teas is a hidden gem in Princeton NJ providing high quality tea and friendly customer service for more than 25+ years. This tea shop is located in an alley near the Princeton Record Exchange store. There is a wide selection of organic green, black, and fruit teas, so it is easy to find something special here. Today, I purchased the peach passion fruit tea that smells so fragrant and delicious. The tea price ranges from $8 - $13 for a 0.25 lb bag. I can't wait to serve it over ice. Please note that summer hours are from 1pm - 5pm, so you may want to call ahead if you are traveling.
- Jan 13, 2026
They carry the best assortment of loose leaf tea. I've already gifted several bags to friends, who use it for baking or leisurely drinks, and they love it.
- Jan 2, 2026
Wonderful hidden tea shop in Princeton. Paul, the owner, is so genuine and kind- you can tell he puts so much love and care into his business. I bought some loose green tea on my first visit, and I mean it when I say it’s the most delicious I’ve ever tried! It was priced at $19.50 for a quarter pound bag, and Paul did a wonderful job describing it for me. The selection was so vast and diverse, that I didn’t know what to choose! You can also buy tea by the cup! I highly recommend this incredible hidden gem.
- Dec 7, 2025
Absolute best teas i’ve tasted and i’ve been going on quite the hunt for them for our tea party business let me tell ya! Drove from PA to come here and was not disappointed. We bought a variety and each one was packed with flavor. The owner is such a gentle man, thank you we will be returning.
- Dec 4, 2025
This place is amazing. The selection of loose leaf tea is wonderful. The owner is pleasant and very informative and definitely knows what he's talking about with the tea. They sell other things like herbal medicines and whatnot but i only go for the tea items. Ive picked up over 10 different teas and 6 tea canisters and have never been disappointed with anything. I drive an hour to buy my tea here. There are places closer to where i live but they dont compare. I recommend this place to everyone i talk to about tea. I linked two pictures of the tea selections but i missed the third wall section of teas which included more black tea and fruit teas.
