Dammann Freres is a French tea house whose name traces to 1692, when Louis XIV granted a privilege for the exclusive sale of tea in France, a heritage the house claims as the origin of the French tea trade. The modern company Dammann Freres was established in 1925 and became one of the principal names in French tea blending.
The house is known for its flavored blends, a French specialty it helped define, alongside classic single-origin teas from estates in China, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, and other producing regions. Signature creations include blends such as Gout Russe, and the range spans loose-leaf teas, sachets, gift sets, and tea accessories in the brand's black packaging.
Gruppo Illy, the Italian coffee group, acquired a majority stake in Dammann Freres in 2007. The company blends and packs its teas in France and distributes through its own boutiques in Paris and other cities, its e-commerce site, fine food retailers, and hotels and restaurants worldwide.