Behind the Scenes: Collaborating with The New York Botanical Garden

For six years in a row, Tea Forté has partnered with The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) to curate an ongoing series of collections featuring teas and tisanes inspired by the Garden itself. In the spring of 2019, we debuted the Jardin Collection, followed by the Fleur Collection in 2020, the Soleil Collection in 2021, the Paradis Collection in 2022, the five year anniversary Jubilee Collection in 2023–a selection of blends from the four prior NYBG collections. And now in 2024, we offer Mariposa, our sixth collaboration. Each tea collection is a celebration of our shared interest in the natural world's abundance, paired with our dedication to preserving its wellbeing. A portion of each collaborative collection supports the NYBG's work in plant research and conservation, horticulture, and education.

NYBG Collection Petite Presentation boxes, six collaborations

Tea lovers can choose between six curated collaborations between Tea Forté + NYBG: Jardin, Fleur, Soleil, Paradis, Jubilee, and Mariposa.

INTO THE SPLENDOR

Working with The New York Botanical Garden has been a multisensory experience, allowing Tea Forté's creative team to explore its official archives and source historic artwork by the likes of Pierre-Joseph Redouté—one of the most noted botanical artists in history, having served on the courts of both Marie Antoinette and Josephine Bonaparte in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

NYBG's LuEsther T. Mertz Library, building front in the evening The esteemed LuEsther T. Mertz Library kindly extended an invitation for us to explore its Rare Book and Folio Room to select classic works for incorporation into each collection's visual design, resulting in lush, timeless renderings of their botanical ingredients. The Mertz Library houses 11 million archival items spanning ten centuries amid the NYBG's 250-acre verdant landscape including a 50-acre, old-growth forest.

Within the same building is the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium, where 7.8 million plant and fungal specimens constitute the largest herbarium in the Western hemisphere. On its premises and around the world, Garden scientists work to preserve and protect the planet’s biodiversity and natural resources.

NYBG's Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and pool in foreground

The landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, supports living collections of more than one million plants.

ABOUT THE GARDEN

Founded in 1891, The New York Botanical Garden is the largest in any city in the United States, a National Historic Landmark, and an integral part of the cultural fabric of New York City, anchored in the Bronx. More than one million people visit the Garden each year to connect with nature for joy, beauty, and respite, and for renowned plant-based exhibitions, music and dance, and poetry and lectures. Innovative children’s education programs promote environmental sustainability and nutrition awareness, graduate programs educate the next generation of botanists, while engaging classes inspire adults to remain lifelong learners.

Pour a cup of your favorite Mariposa, Jubilee, Paradis, Soleil, Fleur, or Jardin blends and tune in to cultivate some joy. Explore all of Tea Forté's collaborations with NYBG here.