Starbucks acquired Tazo in 1999 to expand into the tea market.
Tazo was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1994 and became known for packaged teas and tea-based beverages. Starbucks purchased the brand as part of its effort to broaden its product range beyond coffee.
Tazo products were sold through Starbucks stores and other retail channels. The brand later became part of Starbucks’ packaged tea business, alongside tea beverages served in cafés.
Tazo is often confused with Teavana, another tea brand associated with Starbucks. Starbucks acquired Teavana in 2012, thirteen years after buying Tazo, and later sold the Tazo brand to Unilever in 2017.