Dethlefsen & Balk, Inc. is a premium importer and wholesaler of specialty teas, coffees, and accessories based in Chicago, Illinois. As the U.S. division of the Germany-based parent company Dethlefsen & Balk GmbH, which dates back to 1836, the company brings nearly two centuries of tea trade tradition and European excellence to the North American market. D&B USA serves retailers, tea houses, gourmet stores, and e-commerce platforms with an expansive product catalog, personalized support, and global sourcing expertise.
Core Business
Dethlefsen & Balk’s core business centers on the wholesale distribution of high-quality teas, artisan coffees, and beverage accessories. The company imports loose-leaf teas directly from world-renowned tea gardens in Asia, Africa, and South America and blends them in-house to create signature flavors tailored for the North American market.
Complementing their tea and coffee lines, D&B offers a vast selection of teapots, mugs, matcha sets, and gift-ready packaging, creating a one-stop solution for retailers and specialty shops.
Product and Service Offerings
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Tea Selection:
- Black Tea: Assam, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Ceylon
- Green Tea: Sencha, Jasmine, Genmaicha, Gunpowder
- White Tea: Silver Needle, White Peony
- Rooibos and Herbal: Naturally caffeine-free blends with botanicals and spices
- Fruit Blends: Infusions made with real fruit pieces, hibiscus, and citrus
- Flavored Varieties: Custom blends with vanilla, caramel, spices, and florals
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Coffee:
- Flavored Coffee: Hazelnut, French Vanilla, Chocolate Truffle
- Traditional Roasts: Drip ground coffees in a variety of roast levels
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Accessories:
- Tea Ware: Glass, porcelain, and cast-iron teapots, mugs, and cups
- Filters and Tins: Paper and stainless steel infusers, decorative storage containers
- Matcha Accessories: Whisks, bowls, scoops
- Packaging: Retail-ready boxes, bags, and seasonal tins
- Brands: Offers exclusive accessories under the Cha Cult® and Café Cult brands
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Private Label Services:
- Custom blending and labeling
- Sourcing and packaging solutions for independent retailers
All products are distributed in bulk or in retail-ready formats, and the catalog is updated regularly to align with seasonal themes and market trends.
Specialization and USP
Dethlefsen & Balk stands apart due to its:
- German heritage of over 185 years, establishing deep trust and expertise in tea importing and blending
- Extensive in-house blending capabilities, producing unique recipes and limited-edition seasonal blends
- Large-scale distribution combined with small business flexibility—ideal for boutique retailers and growing brands
- Wide selection of exclusive European tea accessories via its Cha Cult® and Hall of Tea brands
Its ability to blend old-world craftsmanship with modern market responsiveness is a key differentiator.
Financial and Market Presence
While privately held, D&B has significant influence within the North American specialty tea wholesale market:
- Supplies over 1,000 retailers and specialty businesses across the U.S. and Canada
- Imports dozens of metric tons of premium tea annually
- Supports clients ranging from mom-and-pop tea shops to national gourmet gift stores
- Key regions served include Illinois, California, New York, Texas, and British Columbia
Their growth has paralleled the rise in demand for artisanal, wellness-oriented beverages in North America.
Shipment and Sourcing Insights
- Direct sourcing relationships with tea plantations in India, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Kenya, and South Africa
- Accessories and packaging materials sourced from Germany, Poland, China, and India
- Fulfillment from their central warehouse in Chicago, offering both full pallet and small batch shipping options
All sourcing partners comply with international food safety and trade standards, including organic certifications where applicable.
Target Market
D&B serves a wide customer base:
- Independent tea and coffee retailers
- Natural foods and gourmet gift shops
- Cafés and tea lounges
- E-commerce businesses and subscription boxes
- Hotels, spas, and wellness centers
Their flexible MOQ policies and wide variety of SKUs support startups and established enterprises alike.
Capabilities
- Multilingual sales support and consulting
- Seasonal trend forecasting and product innovation
- Custom recipe formulation for private label clients
- Print and digital marketing collateral for resellers
- Trade show presence at major industry events like World Tea Expo and Fancy Food Show
D&B also provides digital catalog access and streamlined B2B ordering via its U.S. e-commerce portal.
Certifications and Compliance
- Teas sourced from GMP-certified and HACCP-compliant facilities
- Organic and Fair Trade options available
- Full compliance with U.S. FDA labeling standards
- All packaging materials conform to FDA food-contact safety requirements
Customer Testimonials
“Dethlefsen & Balk offers exceptional quality and personalized support. Their accessory line and seasonal teas are top sellers in our store.”
— Owner, Artisan Tea Shop, Portland, OR
“Their private label service helped us launch our house tea blend. Our customers love it.”
— Retail Manager, Boutique Wellness Brand, New York, NY
Major Achievements
- Celebrated 185th anniversary of global operations in 2021
- Successfully established Chicago-based operations to serve U.S. and Canadian clients
- Introduced sustainable, recyclable tea packaging in 2023
- Released limited-edition holiday blends and matching teaware collections across major retail seasons
- Earned recognition at World Tea Expo for product innovation and accessory design
Dethlefsen & Balk, Inc. continues to blend tradition with innovation, delivering the finest teas and tea culture products to the North American market with excellence, heritage, and a commitment to quality.
