From Russia via Paris... The fascinating history of the famous Kusmi brand

Let's take a moment to transport ourselves to St. Petersburg. It was here, in 1854, that Pavel Mikhailovich Kousmichoff, working as an errand boy in a tea shop, discovered his love for this extraordinary beverage. Little did he know then that his passion would change the world of noble infusions forever. The fourteen-year-old constantly nurtured his fondness, which didn't escape the owner's notice, who decided to initiate the youngster into the secrets of aromatic compositions. Years later, Pavel's boss became his father-in-law and gifted him a small shop. And so, in 1867, the Kusmi brand was born.

The thriving business quickly bore fruit – by 1901, Pavel owned ten sales points in Russia. Encouraged by his successes, he sent one of his sons, Viatcheslav, to conquer the English market. Six years later, his brand was also recognised in London. In 1908, Viatcheslav took over the reins after his father's death. His persistence and ambition brought the desired benefits. The family business was now a true empire – by 1917, it boasted 51 shops. This idyll was interrupted by the unexpected outbreak of the Russian Revolution.

In 1946, Viatcheslav passed away, and his son Constantin took over the war-weakened business. Unfortunately, he lacked the entrepreneurial skills of his predecessors – year after year, the condition of the once impressive enterprise worsened. Finally, in 1972, Kusmi Tea faced the prospect of bankruptcy.

After numerous problems and attempts to save the family business, Constantin made the difficult decision to sell it. It passed into the hands of the Orebi brothers, who were delighted by the originality of the wonderfully fragrant blends. Thanks to their efforts, the struggling company once again burst back onto the market. Currently, Kusmi Tea, under the watchful eye of the same owners, is a leading brand among French teas and is triumphing all over the world.

Today, we can choose from many unique flavours, encased in distinctive, fabulously colourful tins. The original packaging and the names of the blends, which the company's first owner gave them, inspired by places and people close to his heart, have been preserved in an unchanged form. That's why Prince Vladimir tea and St. Petersburg were absolute must-haves.

The political situation in the country forced the Kousmichoff family to flee – they settled in Paris. However, emigration didn't stop them from doing business. They changed the company's name to Kusmi Tea, and their teas quickly won French hearts. The interwar period marked another golden age – their products entered New York, Berlin, and Hamburg.