Steeping up: Neek Tea Co. brews connectivity 

NEEK TEA CO.

Neek Tea Co. founder Monique Hibma is an advocate of tea culture she learned as a child with her grandmother.

Monique Hibma connects through tea.

Hibma’s Charlotte-based Neek Tea Co. creates space for ritual and taking a pause, something she learned as a child. Hibma and her grandmother bonded over tea, time carved out of their day and the elegance of teacup and saucer. Hibma wanted to recreate that moment for others, which led to Neek Tea’s launch in 2022.

“Being able to have the steeping bag of tea and how I felt with the teacup and the saucer,” she said. “I really did feel like the fanciest girl in the world.” 

Hibma decided to abstain from alcohol but missed the social and communal aspects, which led her back to tea as an adult. Neek Tea curates and sources premium organic teas and tisanes as well as high-quality teaware. 

“My husband, before he would go to work, we would take 10 minutes to kind of just pretend like there was nothing else going on in the world and have tea,” Hibma said. “I felt that same sense of presence and that sophistication that I felt when I was a little girl. And it was just really nice to now be in this present moment with all of those things that were foundational to me.”

For Hibma, teatime is more than just a beverage but an act of self-care. 

“It's one of those things that people are going to be able to take that needed pause for themselves and feel really great about the time that they invested in their well-being,” Hibma said. “When you're looking for something, it doesn't have to be the latest gadget or something really expensive. It's really something that is going to serve you in your everyday life”

Neek Tea’s motto, “teatime, anytime,” is a reminder to take a moment to pause but also that tea does not have to be a production. It can just be purposeful whether that be reflecting, relaxing or connecting.

“I think we are missing the fundamental part of what makes us human. And that's community and interaction with others, togetherness. Connection is now being sold as a social media and being on our phones and joining different online platforms that can use the word community. But when it comes down to it, it's like, who's going to show up for you in a time of need. And I think having tea allows us to have face to face interactions with people,” Hibma said.

Along with being a staple for quiet or social routines, tea offers health benefits. 

“Tea is just such a beneficial incorporation in our life,” Hibma said. “And for these vast reasons, such as bone health, tooth health, cardiovascular health, when you're drinking green tea, it has EGCG. That compound is helping with your heart health, cholesterol, it has so many benefits, which is why it has stood the test of time. I think my favorite is just all the little hidden things that it does.”

A former teacher, Hibma created Tea for Teachers as a form of appreciation for educators. Each May, Charlotte-area elementary school PTA staff appreciation committees can apply for an annual giveaway. One school is selected to receive a collection of tea and a gift bag.

Applications open in April.

“Tea for Teachers is a way, just a small gesture to pour back into the people that serve our families, our communities and make our society a better place. she said.
Neek Tea offers a selection of organic teas, tisanes and quality teaware to ensure customers have an elevated teatime experience. 

“As far as organic, that’s hugely important,” Hibma said. “When you’re thinking about tea, you're drinking the whole leaf. That's the whole leaf that, if it’s pesticides, if there are agrochemicals on that, that becomes part of the infusion. So, having a pure USDA organic certified tea, that's what I drink at home. And I wanted to be able to have a presentation that, if it has our name on it, it’s what I’m drinking at home, too.”

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