There is no exact timeline as to when herbal tea became a commercial business in Hong Kong. Today there are still a number of herbal tea brands with a history of over a hundred years in Hong Kong, such as “Wong Lo Kat”, “Kung Wo Tong” and “Chun Wo Tong One-eyed Man”. Many of the longstanding brands are family businesses, starting out with a formula known for its efficacy developed by the founder. It was then passed down in the family from generation to generation, or improved along the way, thus creating a legacy for herbal tea that lasts to this day.

In the early days, herbal tea shops were mainly family-run businesses, selling herbal tea only. Most operated with the format of having a store front and a workshop at the back. Bowls of herbal tea would be displayed on a table at the shop entrance, and a few tables were available inside in case the patrons would like to sit down and have their tea instead of just gulping it down while standing in front of the shop. At the back would be a kitchen to brew the herbal teas. When ready, the decoction would be poured into large bronze containers taking pride of place at the shop to keep warm.