Teforia Closes
Teforia closes down
US
Business operations ceased in late October for San Francisco-based Teforia Co., makers of a line of expensive smart infusers for fine tea.
“We simply couldn’t raise the funds required in what is a very difficult time for hardware companies in the smart kitchen space,” wrote founder Allen Han. “We will continue to seek a partner that can leverage Teforia technology and/or provide Sips tea sales to continue our mission of elevating the tea experience. Hopefully, you will see Teforia technology in future products,” wrote Han, who holds more than 30 patents.
“We didn’t compromise on the Teforia infuser technology, quality, or the premium tea packaged within our Sips (selective infusion profile system),” wrote Han. The company distributed firmware to enable its $400 Teforia Leaf equipment to brew owner-sourced teas as well as Sips (packaged tea).
Han, a tea lover who is credited with creating the Xbox 360 and the winner of multiple Red Dot, IDEA, and Good Design awards, designed the Teforia Classic to brew “one perfect cup of tea every time.” He succeeded. At World Tea Expo, Teforia was awarded 2016 Best Tea Industry Innovation Award and was named the 2017 Best (Electric) Tea Brewing Device. The innovative brewer, initially priced at more than $1,000, adjusted steep time, agitation, and temperature for premeasured tea in capsules sold online as Sips. These premium teas, from established growers such as Yamamotoyama in Japan, were delivered by subscription as fully recyclable and 90% compostable. The classic brewer could be programmed by smartphone to brew any tea.
Teforia machines are wi-fi and Bluetooth enabled and use “Pandora-style learning” to adjust brews to your individual taste. Calculations include the ratio of leaves to water and the number of desired steepings. Leaf shape and varietal and even terroir are part of the recipe. Reviews were favorable, although price raised concerns. The less capable $400 Leaf+ model was introduced in 2017. Unlike the Teforia Classic, the Leaf brewed only Sips capsules available online.