Corson: 140 Years of Mauritian Tea and Family Heritage

In Mauritius, tea has been part of everyday life for generations. At Corson, it also tells a family story, one shaped by heritage, resilience and a deep connection to the island.

Founded in 1886, the tea house celebrates its 140th anniversary with a history that is as much about people as it is about tea. For generations, the family business passed from father to son. Then, in 1980, the death of Raoul Corson changed its course. His Irish-born wife Elizabeth could have returned home with their four daughters. Instead, she chose to remain in Mauritius and take on the challenge of continuing the family legacy alongside her father-in-law.

That decision opened a new chapter, with the women of the family stepping forward to preserve an inheritance while allowing it to evolve.

The story of transmission extends well beyond the Corson family itself. Many of the tea growers supplying the factory have also maintained this relationship across generations, creating lasting bonds around a crop deeply rooted in Mauritian life.

One flavour in particular has become part of that story. Corson has been producing vanilla tea since 1919, creating a distinctive taste that has become familiar to generations of Mauritians and is now enjoyed far beyond the island.

Through Corson’s story, Mauritian tea reveals another side of the island’s cultural heritage: one built not only on tradition, but on the people who choose to carry it forward, share it and continually give it new life.