Lao Signature Box – 4 Bottles
Lao Signature Box – 4 Bottles
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Lao Signature Box – 4 Bottles
A complete experience of Lao’s non-alcoholic tea expressions
What’s inside?
This box includes:
2 bottles of Lao Sparkling Tea (carbonated) 24.99$/bottle
• Gyokuro Okabe – bright, fruity, long finish
• Mucha Tie Guan Yin – bold, roasted, slightly bitter
2 bottles of Thea Placida (still) 21.99$-22.99$
• Guizhou Floral – bright, mineral, floral green tea
• Yunnan Bold – grounded, honeyed, layered Pu’Er
Each expression is brewed with care from hand-selected whole-leaf teas, with zero additives and under 0.5% alc./vol.
Compare our tea expressions
Lao’s Signature Box is the perfect introduction to our range of refined, non-alcoholic tea-based drinks. Ideal for pairing, gifting, or discovering your favourite expression.
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Sparkling Tea
Inspiration
A vibrant expression of tea, where effervescence reveals its terroir.Occasions
Aperitif, brunch, celebrations, host gift.Glassware
Champagne flute. -
Thea Placida
Inspiration
A drink that unveils the rich heritage of tea, inspired by the world of wine.Occasions
Dinner pairing, at the table, or as a refined gift.Glassware
Wine glass.
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A glimpse into the aromatic profiles of each unique bottle.
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Collapsible content
What is Lao's Sparkling Tea and Thea Placida?
Two families. One signature.
Sparkling Tea is a vibrant interpretation of tea, where fine bubbles reveal the depth of terroir.
Thea Placida is a still tea expression, inspired by the world of wine and crafted to highlight the tea’s full aromatic potential.
Both are brewed with intention — slow infusions, hand-selected teas, no additives — for a refined, alcohol-free experience that elevates the table and surprises the palate.
What are the ideal pairings?
Sparkling Tea
Served in a flute or wine glass, it shines during aperitifs, celebrations, and with refined dishes.
- Gyokuro Okabe: Fresh melon • Sushi or sashimi • Soft cheeses
- Mucha Tie Guan Yin: BBQ • Roasted root vegetables • Chocolate desserts • Tamari-grilled tofu
Thea Placida
Served in a white wine glass, it complements the meal with nuance and structure.
- Guizhou Floral: Avocado & citrus salad • Ginger dumplings • Zucchini risotto • Sesame tempeh bowl • Jasmine shortbread
- Yunnan Bold: Lentil burger • Miso-glazed root vegetables • Mushroom tart • Aged cheese • Carrot cake with spice
How is it made?
Sparkling Tea
We start with a fermented tea base aged for over 3 months to develop body and acidity.
To this, we blend hot and cold infusions of whole-leaf high-end teas — some shaded, others roasted — to preserve their aromatic complexity.
A small amount of organic cane sugar is added for balance, then the blend is lightly carbonated and pasteurized.
Thea Placida
Still and expressive, it begins with a slow-brewed fermented base, complemented by a touch of wine vinegar.
We layer in whole-leaf infusions of high-end teas like Du Yun Mao Jian and aged Menghai Pu’Er, along with oak and botanicals, to create tension, length, and texture — without overpowering the leaf.
No flavourings. No preservatives. Just tea, time, and care.
How to best enjoy it?
- Sparkling Tea: Chill to 8–12 °C
- Thea Placida: Serve between 11–14 °C for Guizhou Floral, and 13–16 °C for Yunnan Bold
- Use a white wine glass or flute
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Best enjoyed fresh; refrigerate after opening
Bottle size: 750 ml
Shelf life: 9 months from bottling (see label)
Where does the less than 0.5% alcohol come from?
All Lao drinks are non-alcoholic under Canadian law (under 0.5%).
- Sparkling Tea averages 0.2% alc./vol.
- Thea Placida averages 0.1% alc./vol.
This comes from a gentle fermentation that builds structure, tension, and length.
For comparison:
• Banana (very ripe): up to 0.6%
• Orange juice: 0.2–0.5%
• Soy sauce: up to 2%
• Raisin bread: ~0.3%
We’re not required to disclose it, we chose to.
* The label you receive may say non-alcoholic, we are changing them gradually.
F.A.Q.
✴ Does it taste like tea?
Yes — but not the way most people imagine it.
Forget over-steeped black tea or artificial tea flavours.
Our Sparkling Teas and Thea Placida are crafted from whole-leaf teas, selected for their terroir and aromatic complexity.
Each product offers a unique expression of the leaf: fresh and fruit-forward, deep and roasted, floral or earthy. The taste is layered, precise, and often surprising.
✴ Is it kombucha?
No — this is something else entirely.
Lao’s drinks are crafted from real tea, using controlled fermentation to bring structure, texture, and depth — not bacteria or vinegar.
What sets us apart is how we treat the leaf.
Each Sparkling Tea and Thea Placida begins with a fermented tea base aged over several months to naturally build acidity and mouthfeel. To this foundation, we blend precisely infused teas, selected for their terroir and complexity. Some creations include a touch of wine vinegar, oak, or botanicals, used not as a shortcut, but as tools to shape flavor — the way winemakers do.
The result? A shelf-stable drink that’s refined, layered, and expressive.
No live cultures. No added flavours. Nothing masked.
Why fermentation?
Because it enhances the bioavailability of compounds in tea, softens tannins, adds length and structure, and helps unlock aromatic depth — without overpowering the leaf.
For context:
Kombucha is typically brewed with a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), producing a living, tangy drink that’s often made with generic teas and added juices. We love that it introduced many to fermented beverages — but our approach is different.
It’s not kombucha.
It’s tea, reimagined.
✴ Is there caffeine?
Yes — but less than a cup of tea.
Because we use real green, wulong, or pu'er teas, there is naturally some caffeine in each bottle.
Approximate content per glass (188 ml): 10–25 mg, depending on the tea used.
By comparison, a cup of black coffee has around 95 mg.
✴ Can I drink this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We recommend checking with your healthcare provider, as every situation is different.
Our drinks are pasteurized, but they do contain trace amounts of alcohol (around 0.2%) from natural fermentation, as well as light caffeine from tea.
While many people choose to enjoy them in moderation during pregnancy or breastfeeding, the best decision is always the one made with your health professional.
✴ How long does it last once opened?
For Sparkling Tea, we recommend:
• Resealing with an expandable wine stopper
• Keeping it in the fridge
• Enjoying within 3–4 days for best effervescence
• Safe to drink up to 2 weeks after opening
Thea Placida, being still, can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed within 2 weeks.
✴ Where is it made?
Every bottle is crafted and bottled in Québec, by our small team that believes tea deserves the same care and celebration as wine.
We don’t outsource. We don’t cut corners.
We’re here, steeping leaves and fine-tuning blends — one batch at a time — in our own facility, with purpose and precision.
✴ Is it vegan and gluten-free?
Yes. All Lao products are 100% plant-based and gluten-free.
We do not use honey, gelatin, or any animal-derived ingredients.