Oliver Staerkle
CEO & Founder of Nio Teas
For Oliver Staerkle, a cup of tea is a connection to the land, the craft and the person who made it. A tea tasting on Japan’s island of Yakushima changed the way he understood green tea and inspired the journey that became Nio Teas. Today, he brings that curiosity to sourcing Japanese matcha and loose leaf teas grown without pesticides, building relationships with the farmers behind them and sharing what he learns along the way.
The Cup That Changed Everything
Surrounded by Yakushima’s forests and small tea fields, Oliver joined a tasting with a local farmer. What he found in that glass was far more than a familiar green drink: the character of the soil, the care of the harvest and knowledge passed down through generations.
Coming from Switzerland, he already appreciated the craftsmanship behind chocolate and wine. That tasting showed him that tea deserved the same attention. He returned with a new purpose: to help people discover Japanese green tea through its flavor, its origins and the people who grow it.
“Tea is like wine but without the alcohol.”
— Oliver Staerkle, reflecting on his first tea tasting in Yakushima
Relationships Before Everything
Oliver’s search took him beyond tasting rooms and into the Japanese countryside. Visiting tea fields, sharing tea with farmers and listening to their experiences became central to how he understood quality.
Meeting Mr. Sakamoto in Shibushi made a lasting impression. His dedication to organic gyokuro and careful soil management showed Oliver how much patience and ingenuity sit behind a single tea. Those conversations helped shape Nio’s commitment to farmers who grow flavorful tea without pesticides.
For Oliver, knowing a tea means knowing its maker. Nio puts those producers in the spotlight, sharing their regions, methods and stories so that every cup comes with a clearer connection to its origin.
Business Experience, Tea Curiosity
Oliver studied at the University of Fribourg, where university records identify him as a former student of the MA in European Business. Before Nio Teas, he worked in key account management and brand management at Nestlé Waters Switzerland, including as Senior Brand Manager for Granini.
He returned to Fribourg as a guest speaker in 2014 and 2017, sharing practical experience in retail, distribution and brand positioning. At Nio, that business background meets an education in tea built through field visits, tastings and conversations with Japanese producers.
He also teaches the Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Green Tea, helping newcomers explore tea varieties and preparation.
A Simple Ritual Worth Sharing
Oliver enjoys tea in the morning, before the distractions of the day. In a 2022 interview, he named sencha as a favorite, highlighting an Asatsuyu from Mr. Kawaji.
That same approachability runs through Nio’s educational work: learn a little, taste something new and make room for a cup you enjoy.
Explore Oliver’s story: Read his interview with Arigato Travel or discover his guest lectures at the University of Fribourg.
Get in Touch with Oliver
Have a question about Japanese tea, sourcing or a collaboration? Email Oliver at oliver@nioteas.com or connect with him on LinkedIn. For orders and customer support, please contact info@nioteas.com.