iLOLA

iLOLA began in 2020 when Su-Mari Hill of Tsawwassen, British Columbia, and her husband Tim set out to rethink how loose leaf tea is packaged. Their patented Tea Disc presses one cup's worth of leaves with a probiotic binder, so there is no bag to throw away. The name comes from Swahili and means to grow strong. The discs have appeared on Dragons' Den and were one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2022.

Su-Mari, co-founder of iLOLA
Su-Mari, co-founder of iLOLA

Meet the maker

The story behind iLOLA

iLOLA was founded by Su-Mari and Tim Hill, a husband-and-wife team. Su-Mari invented the brand's patented Tea Disc, and Tim took on the work of bringing it to market. Both loved loose leaf tea but found the daily routine of measuring leaves, cleaning infusers and sweeping up strays hard to keep up. Tea bags were easier, though they changed the cup. The pair set out to keep everything good about loose leaf and make it fit a busy day.

  • Husband-and-wife founders
  • Patented Tea Disc
  • Real loose leaf, pressed
  • Oprah's Favorite Things 2022
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The result is real loose leaf tea pressed into a neat, single-serve disc. A natural forming process the company calls Aviora holds the leaves together until warm water releases them, so the whole leaf stays visible and opens as it steeps. Each tea carries a number, such as Darjeeling Green No. 85 or Sweet Cinnamon Chai No. 40. A Humidor for storing the discs and careful packaging design round out the ritual.

“iLOLA began with a simple belief: tea should not have to choose between beauty and convenience.”

iLOLA

From the Tea Journal

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