Tea for all and all for tea, Moody Teas deep commitment to accessibility makes their brand—and exceptional product—something we can all root for year round. You may have seen their booth at a local farmers market. I hopped on the band wagon at one of the final markets of the season, just in time for their Pumpkin Up Chai blend and I am currently making another order as I write this. Moody Teas is a local business with a great heart. They have a focus on sustainability, withhold their core value of making sure that great tea is accessible to everyone, and have blends that are just as delicious and comforting as their moral code. Co-owners Nora Eagan and John Nelson created Moody Teas out of a shared love of tea and connection and have been building on that ever since their launch in 2019. I spoke with Eagan about why tea for everyone was a motto they had to pursue, their favorite blends, and how you can get their tea delivered (for free!) to your door.
You began the company in 2019 with a focus on making great tea for everyone. What made you fall in love with tea so hard that you needed to share its goodness with Chicago and beyond?
Tea has always been more than just a drink to us—it’s a way to connect with people and evoke emotions. For me, tea was a cornerstone of my childhood, woven into family traditions and celebrations. The ritual of a mug of tea was a cherished part of my family’s day, and those memories continue to inspire my passion for tea today. John, on the other hand, spent time working at a popular tea chain early in our friendship. They learned about different tea varieties and how they could bring people together. We bonded over our shared love of tea, dreaming of one day starting a business that celebrated its richness and versatility. That connection grew into a vision for Moody Teas nearly 15 years later.
When we launched in 2019, our goal was to take something we were deeply passionate about and make it accessible, fun, and approachable for everyone. We wanted to share the stories behind the blends, the people who grow the ingredients, and the moods they inspire, inviting Chicago—and beyond—into our world of tea.
There is a major focus to make great tea accessible for all. How are you able to keep prices low and not sacrifice quality?
Moody Teas is a community-driven business, and we’re deeply committed to keeping prices affordable even when it’s challenging. Accessibility is one of our core values, and we make business choices accordingly. For instance, our accessibility program is a key pricing strategy to ensure true accessibility for those who need it. This program reflects our commitment to making great tea available to everyone, no matter their circumstances.
Our business model focuses on high sales volume rather than high profit margins to ensure we remain in business without pricing out our customers. There are definitely months when we, as co-founders, don’t pay ourselves, but it’s worth it to us to keep tea accessible for everyone.
We also keep our overhead low by selling at farmers' markets and pop-ups, using a shared kitchen, and staying active within our community. These strategies allow us to focus resources on the quality of our blends. Ultimately, we believe that great tea should be for everyone, not just a luxury for a few. This commitment drives every decision we make, from how we source our ingredients to how we structure our business. By building strong relationships with our suppliers and focusing on efficiency, we’re able to provide premium blends at prices that align with our mission of inclusivity.
Tea has many benefits. What are your favorites for this time of year when there is a renewed energy towards health?
Winter is the perfect time to focus on health and wellness, and we’ve got blends to support a variety of goals.
- Our Notffee is an energizing blend that’s a fantastic coffee alternative. It’s gentler on the body, boosts mood, and offers a more stable, sustained energy to help you power through your day.
- Ammunitea provides a boost to the immune system, combining the gentle strength of Kumaon White tea with other effective, health-focused ingredients to help you stay resilient during cold and flu season.
- For getting better sleep, Dream Come Blue is a super effective, all-natural sleep aid with its soothing blend of herbs and florals, perfect for winding down after a busy day and ensuring a restful night’s sleep.
- Staying hydrated is also essential for overall wellness, and our blends like Jaidrate and Passion Peach make hydration enjoyable and flavorful. These teas can be enjoyed hot or iced, providing a refreshing way to meet your daily hydration goals.
At Moody Teas, we’ve got options for all your health goals. Every blend is carefully formulated with high-quality, effective ingredients to ensure you reap the maximum benefits from each cup. Our teas are designed to be delicious while also providing real support for your wellness journey. Whether you’re seeking energy, relaxation, or a simple moment of mindfulness, we’ve got the perfect blend for you.
You source ingredients with a mindfulness towards sustainability. Are any of the ingredients locally sourced from neighboring farms?
While we aren’t currently sourcing locally for tea leaves—many of our ingredients simply aren’t available nearby—we always go as close to the source as possible. We work with vendors who prioritize sustainability and ethical consumption, ensuring that every ingredient is grown and harvested responsibly. For example, we source our single-origin Kumaon teas directly from the Kumaon region in India, working with small-scale farmers who use sustainable farming practices.
However, we do partner with local farms for fresh ingredients used in our drinks at farmers' markets. For instance, we work with Los Rodriguez Farms to use their fresh berries all summer in our Guayusa Refreshers, and Bennet Farms supplies our milk. As we grow, our goal is to incorporate more locally grown ingredients wherever possible. Sustainability remains at the heart of every decision we make, and we’re proud to offer teas that are as ethical as they are delicious.
How can Chicagoans get great tea at their door year-round?
Chicagoans can enjoy Moody Teas year-round through our free local delivery service. Delivery is free on all local orders, regardless of order size, and our delivery range is expansive—covering all of northeastern Illinois, southeastern Wisconsin, and northwestern Indiana. Simply visit our website, moodyteas.co, to place your order and have your favorite blends delivered right to your door.
For those looking to deepen their tea journey, we also offer our Steepers’ Circle membership program. Members enjoy exclusive perks such as discounts, early access to seasonal blends, and special loyalty rewards. It’s a great way to stay connected with Moody Teas and enjoy our full range of offerings.
Additionally, you can find us at local farmers’ markets and pop-ups throughout the year, so there’s always a way to stock up on your favorite teas and connect with us in person. Whether you’re looking for a one-time treat or a year-round supply of your favorite blends, Moody Teas makes it easy to enjoy great tea wherever you are.
Moody Teas is available online and at select markets and pop-ups throughout the year. For more information, visit moodyteas.co.