In short: Halssen & Lyon GmbH is a tea operation based in Hamburg, Germany, at 9 metres elevation, certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership and producing black and green tea.
Halssen & Lyon GmbH is a tea operation located in Hamburg, Germany, at an elevation of 9 metres above sea level. The company operates under its own name, and no downstream buyers have been recorded in available supply-chain data. The facility holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership and is recorded as handling both black and green tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 9 metres elevation in Hamburg—a port city at 53.5° north latitude—this operation sits far outside the tropical and subtropical zones where tea cultivation typically occurs. Germany's temperate maritime climate, characterised by cool summers and mild winters, does not naturally support Camellia sinensis growth at commercial scale. Estates and operations at such northern latitudes and low elevations generally face short growing seasons, insufficient heat accumulation, and frost risk that would challenge conventional tea agriculture.
Given these geographic and climatic parameters, it is most likely that Halssen & Lyon functions as a tea trading, blending, or processing facility rather than a primary cultivation estate. Hamburg's historical role as a major European port has long made it a hub for tea importation and distribution. Operations in such locations typically source leaf from producing countries and undertake value-added activities—blending, packaging, flavouring, or quality control—rather than field cultivation.
Tea Produced
Because this operation handles both black and green tea types, the cup character will reflect the diverse origins of the leaf it processes rather than a single terroir. Facilities engaged in blending and trading typically work with a range of regional styles—from brisk, malty Assam-type blacks to lighter, more vegetal China greens—adjusting blends to meet the flavour profiles and price points required by European retail and foodservice clients. The sensory signature is therefore determined by sourcing strategy and blending expertise rather than by estate-specific growing conditions.
Operator
Halssen & Lyon GmbH operates this facility directly. No other estates or operations under the same company name are recorded in available supply-chain directories, suggesting a single-site operation focused on the Hamburg location. The firm's presence in one of Europe's principal ports positions it within the established infrastructure for tea import and distribution across the continent.
Certifications & Ethics
Halssen & Lyon holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that works to improve social and environmental conditions on tea estates and in processing facilities. For buyers, ETP certification signals that the operation has undergone independent monitoring against standards covering labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. For workers in the supply chain—particularly at origin estates from which this facility sources—ETP membership supports capacity-building and progressive improvements in working conditions, though the certification applies to the Hamburg operation itself.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh lies at 53.5440, 9.9932 in Hamburg, Germany. Its 9 m elevation is the highest of 1 estates we map in Germany. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Gumaro Tea Estate — 5542 km away · Gumaro Shahi Limat
- Gumaro — 5581 km away · Addis Ababa
- Werraka — 5581 km away · Addis Ababa
- Wush Wush — 5581 km away · Addis Ababa
- Wush Wush Tea Plantation — 5581 km away · Gurd Sholla
Observed Climate at Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh’s coordinates recorded 742 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was July (168 mm) and the driest was February (11 mm). Daytime highs averaged 14.3 °C and overnight lows 7.2 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 742 mm |
| Wettest month | July (168 mm) |
| Driest month | February (11 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 14.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 7.2 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh located?
Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh is in Hamburg, Germany, at coordinates 53.5440, 9.9932, at an elevation of about 9 metres.
Who operates Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh?
Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh is operated by Halssen & Lyon Gmbh, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh produce?
Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh is recorded as producing black and green tea.
What certifications does Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh hold?
Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 742 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in July (168 mm).
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
