Gravraak Teatelier: Crafting Norway’s finest artisan tea

By Celina Tran

In Trondheim’s historical Bakklandet neighbourhood, there is a little shop of aromatic magic. Gravraak Teatelier is slowly but surely reshaping the Norwegian tea culture by embracing nature’s rhythms and flavours.

With the seasons turning and the biting cold of winter getting closer, we are suddenly called on by crackling fireplaces and snug couches. And because there is no better time to cosy up with a blanket and a warm cup of tea, why not make this the best one yet by levelling up your tea-drinking experience?

Gravraak Teatelier offers more than just tea – it creates experiences. Visitors to the atelier are immersed in a world of artisanal tea crafting, from the scent of herbs being blended to the historical ambience of its surroundings. “Gravraak Teatelier technically started at Farm Gravraak in 2018, where I was growing herbs, flowers and berries,” says master tea blender Charlotte Scheffer. “Trøndelag is a large culinary region, with plenty of farms that produce a range of artisanal food and drink, such as coffee and chocolate. I wanted to see how I could take my own interests and contribute to the region, which is when I discovered that there’s a huge gap in the Norwegian market for good tea. This was perfect for me, and so Gravraak Teatelier was born.”

Photo: Geir Even Dretvik

As a master tea blender, Scheffer has spent years developing and trying new recipes using ingredients from different farms. The result is Grevaker Teatelier, a hub of exclusive and high-quality tees. “We’re working with what nature gives us and only blend a limited quantity of each tea to avoid waste, so once a blend sells out, customers have to wait until the next season for a new batch,” she says. “Of course, we would love to be able to meet the high demand, but it’s important that our approach is based on mindfulness and following the seasons.”

Scheffer explains that by remaining a small, local business and focusing on the quality of each blend, the team at Gravraak Teatelier hopes to promote and help foster a culture of appreciation for the nuances of flavour, encouraging customers to savour each sip and explore the beauty of good tea.

Photo: Geir Even Dretvik

Handcrafted blends for every occasion

While the atelier has become a hub for tea connoisseurs and food tourists seeking authentic, locally inspired products, Gravraak Teatelier’s products are for everyone. Scheffer’s range of teas cater to a wide array of preferences and occasions, and her team makes sure to carefully consider each customer’s palate.

“It’s important to listen to people, so when curating our recipes, we naturally combine our skills with the customers’ preferences. While everyone’s different, there are of course a few bestsellers,” she says. “These include our blackcurrant tea, Solgløtt, a green and white tea called Mango Rose, and our prize-winning Black Viking Tea, which has this beautiful Japanese oolong.” Another favourite includes the classic Earl Grey, which has gained some traction after it was praised by none other than the famous singer Bryan Adams, as one of his all-time favourites.

Photo: Fabian Kokan

The Gravraak blends are popular locally and have also attracted interest from around the world. However, staying true to the small-scale, artisanal roots, Scheffer chooses to keep production local and intentionally limits the availability of her teas. “We live life at the pace of nature,” she explains. “When certain herbs or berries are out of season, there’s unfortunately no restocking until the next harvest.”

While this might be disappointing if crave a certain flavour, it encourages each customer to savour the current tea experience. For those wanting to go the extra mile, Scheffer recommends using porcelain teapots for the best flavour. “Tea leaves should dance in the water,” she explains. “It’s also important to be mindful of the temperature and time spent steeping, to coax out the best taste from the blends without getting that bitter caffeine taste.”

More than anything, however, Scheffer encourages people to fully commit to the tea ritual and switch from tea bags to loose leaves, for the experience and for the environment. For those who might still find this intimidating, Gravraak Teatelier offers compostable pyramid-shaped bags to make the transition easier. “Whether you’re making tea at home or enjoying it at a café or restaurant, we want each cup to be a special and worthwhile experience,” she says.