The 10 Best British Tea Brands in the World

The United Kingdom is well known for its provisions of a more extensive array of tea, many of which are made of picked aromatic herbs that are found around the world. When it comes to tea, there is a wide variety of different tea brands for consumers to choose from and companies put money finding the best source for tea leaves and in developing bolder tea blends. So here are 10 British tea brands that will surely give you an English tea experience!

Twinings

We have all been familiar with coffee shops where you can order your cup of cappuccino and bars where you can get a tall glass of beer, however, another establishment made for socializing while drinking your preferred tea is called tea rooms. Although the concept of teahouse or tea rooms is quite common in Asia, Twinings was the first one to open such a grand establishment in London at the same time the brand launched their tea products. This British tea brand founded by Thomas Twining and has been producing expertly blended flavors of tea since the year 1706. The original Twinings tea room still stands until today but was already converted into a museum. It is also known that Twinings is the preferred tea brand by the British Royal Family since 1837.

This tea brand offers both loose leaves and in teabags that are mostly sourced from Kenya, Malawi, India, China, and Indonesia. Twinings hand-picks their leaves and uses no artificial ingredients in creating a well-balanced yet robust blend. Their product line ranges from Black Teas, English Breakfast Teas, Superblends that are infused with various flowers, fruits, herbs, roots, and other sweeteners; Fruit and Herbal, Green Teas, and Earl Grey.

Taylors of Harrogate – Classic Tea

Taylors of Harrogate is a family-owned British tea brand that has masterfully crafted the art of producing tea and coffee from sourcing, tasting, roasting, and blending since 1886. They offer the basic green tea, black tea, as well as specialized blends of different fruit and herbal teas such as sour cherry infusion, lychee & lime green tea, rose lemonade infusion, strawberry & vanilla green tea, and many more. While these delicious infusions sound like a great refreshing iced tea blend, the Brits might raise their eyebrows as they recommend their teas to be drunk hot. 

Yorkshire Tea

Yorkshire Tea is a specialized brand under Taylors of Harrogate. The founder Charles Taylor opened his flagship coffee and tea store in the town of Harrogate. The establishment is now the sister company Bettys which offers great pastries, desserts, and snacks perfect for your afternoon tea parties. A unique blend that is worth the mention is their Hard Water, a blend meant for areas who use tap water for drinking, it is said that tap water contains many minerals that when mixed with tea, it results in a darker and thicker texture. This blend was tweaked to give the great, bold tea that is expected no matter what water you use.

Typhoo

Typhoo, originally named Typhoo Tipps Tea, is a British family-owned tea brand founded by John Sumner in the year 1903, it is known to be the first tea brand to be sold pre-packaged rather than loose leaves. This tea brand offers a various range of tea-related baking recipes using their products. The company is also working in association with Rainforest Alliance™  using tea from Rainforest Alliance™ farms.

PG Tips

The PG Tips is a British tea brand known for its unique pyramid teabag that was introduced in the year 1990, 30 years after the brand was established. It is a simple blend of tea leaves and other organic herbs, formulated to offer the best tea experience. Harvesting the leaves, on the other hand, is a more intricate practice, they only use the top two leaves and buds of each plant to create a blend, and the fresh and distinctive flavor was inspired by the tea gardens in Kericho. 

Teapigs

Teapigs is a relatively new addition to the world of tea. The brand was founded in the year 2006 with one mission – to get the people drinking authentic British tea. Teapigs prides itself on producing whole leaf tea, which includes whole leaf herbs, whole berries, whole spices, and whole flowers. Every package features the richest blend of real quality tea.

Tetley

This British tea brand is well-known as the lead producers of flavored teas since it was founded in 1837. Tetley delivers beyond 60 tea variations and offers consumers a different British tea culture experience every single time. This includes the premium South Asian and Western teas, and the exclusive orange pekoe and black.

Lipton

Lipton is instantly recognized for its iced tea variety but fruity flavors are not the only thing they offer. It is one of the oldest British tea brands and was founded by Thomas Lipton in the year 1890. The tea brand offers a remarkable choice of teas from black teas, Matcha teas, mint teas, hibiscus tea, and many other flavors. But what made it an international household name is when it was able to capture the western market. 

Pukka Tea

This British tea brand was originally founded by Sebastian Pole and Tim Westwell before it was bought by Unilever. It is well-known for its exotic blends, weight loss, and detox teas. Each variety is specially designed with an intricate and colorful pattern that would surely capture one’s attention. Some of their unique blends include Pukka Three Licorice made with licorice from Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Georgia’s organic soils; Three Cinnamon made with organic cinnamon from Indonesia, Vietnam, and India; Turmeric Active made with organic galangal, ginger, licorice, nettle, triphala, and turmeric.

Scottish Blend Tea 

What’s unique with this tea brand is it was specifically made for Scotland’s water, so perhaps it would taste different if a different water supply was used with it. This blend is made from rainforest alliance certified tea leaves. It’s packed in pyramid-shaped teabags which are said to allow tea leaves to move around, hence, it will be brewed better. 

What is the British Tea Culture?

Tea, as we all know originated in China and was only introduced in the United Kingdom in the early 17 century by the Dutch and Portuguese traders. At first, tea is only consumed just for curing any illness in the body, until Queen Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II, made it a social custom to drink tea. 

Tea Etiquette

The British tea parties have some common table manner etiquette from don’t dunk your biscuit in your tea, don’t ask for iced tea, and no slurping; and then there are some quite bizarre from don’t wash down your food with the tea and the host should be the on to pour the tea out then the spout should be facing the person who poured. But it is just best to be prepared and not experience any annoyed looks with your actions. 

Dress code

Before attending a tea party, one should know that even the informal types of tea parties would require some kind of dress-up. The “chill outfit” would not be welcome lightly in these kinds of settings, a smart casual to semi-formal attire would be a great start.

Stir correctly

Yes, even stirring can make it or break it. Whether it’s milk, sugar, or lemon you are mixing with your tea, it should be stirred back and forth, not in a circular motion.

Pinkies up?

Surprisingly, no. It’s a common misconception that drinking tea is a fancy experience and the more your pinkies are pointed upright, the fancier you look, no, just no. Cups should be held with one’s thumb and index finger. Fingers should not be hooked through, and tea saucers should never be lifted from the table.

Steeping time

The length of steeping is a matter of preference. Some prefer a lighter brew but to maximize the benefits of the tea, steeping for about 3 to 6 minutes would release a higher level of antioxidant.

Tea Parties

British are accustomed to hosting or inviting guests for tea parties and they would serve in loose leave regardless of the tea brand, there are different kinds of tea parties one must know before attending. 

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is a more informal and relaxed type of gathering but this originated from high class society, it happens in between lunch and dinner with light snacks such as sandwiches, chiffon cake, pastries, scones, jams, and other bite-sized snacks. It is often held in one’s living room, seated around low armchairs and done in a low table like a coffee or a center table. 

High Tea

This is often done at a dining table some say, high tea originated when dinner was served at an earlier time and tea paired with a hearty dish. Now, if one is invited to a high tea, it means that it is for dinner with tea. 

Royal Tea

This kind of party is drinking tea with a glass of English Sparkling Wine or Champagne.

Whether you’ve been invited to an authentic British tea party or you’re simply a tea enthusiast and would love to learn more about the British tea culture, steeping a cup of an English-made tea brand would transport you to the heart of the United Kingdom. Fortunately, these brands are now available to be ordered online or in the supermarkets, so you don’t have to travel for the experience. So next time, host a British-themed tea party complete with snacks and any tea brand from this list, and teach your guests what you’re offering is beyond friendship and experience.

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