About Us

Ethical tea tastes better

All of our teas have been sourced from suppliers that exhibit a sustained commitment to environmental and social ethics.

Fair Treatment & Trading

Suppliers are regularly checked for compliance with the following:

• Zero tolerance for child and slave labour
• Fair compensation for workers
• Free housing, medical care and education
• Reinvestment in infrastructure
• Respect for the labour force
• Good community relationships

Habitat Conservation

Habitat conservation is good for the environment and for tea. Soil nutrients are maintained, creating a healthier terrain for growing luxury grade leaf. The healthier the habitat, the greater the crop yields for the farmers.

Effective environmental management systems include:

• Ecosystem conservation
• Wildlife protection
• Water conservation
• Integrated crop management
• Soil management and conservation
• Integrated waste management

Why you should buy luxury grade teas

Tea is a continuous crop. Unlike many other commercial crops, it can be grown 12 months of the year. For estates that value sustainability over quick profits, tea provides stable year-round income and jobs, both of which are badly needed in the developing world. By purchasing our luxury teas, you can do your part to support some of the world’s most challenging locations.

The luxury tea difference

Here is why luxury teas are better for the environment:

• Luxury quality teas are hand-plucked. Reduces reliance on fossil fuels and pollution with virtually no CO2 output. (Japan is an exception. There, luxury teas are harvested by machine.)
• Tea plantations absorb CO2. The better run the estate, the more carbon absorbed. Most of the estates that supply our tea use renewable timber and old root stock for fuel, further reducing emissions.
• Luxury estates rehabilitate soil. Fields are rotated and left fallow on a regular schedule.
• Better botany, means less reliance on pesticides. All of the luxury teas we carry are pesticide-free. In fact, many luxury tea areas (i.e. Darjeeling, Kenyan Highlands or Sri Lanka) can support tea 100% free of pesticides, thanks to the high altitudes. (Tea pests can’t survive.) When these policies are followed, luxury estates thrive, providing jobs, housing, education and medical care for workers and their families.<

Ethical Tea Partnership

The Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) is a not-for-profit organisation which convenes tea companies, development agencies, governmental and nongovernmental organisations to improve the lives of communities within the tea sector.

We source our tea exclusively from a member of the Ethical Tea Partnership who works in partnership with them to tackle the deep-rooted issues that are holding back the sustainability of the tea sector. These include: improving the incomes and well-being of farmers and workers; improving living conditions and nutrition; improving the lives and opportunities for women and young people in tea communities and reducing gender-based violence; improving climate change resilience.

To find out more about the Ethical Tea Partnership and its role at the centre of tea sustainability go to: www.ethicalteapartnership.org

About Our Teas

We only sell luxury certified organic teas. All our teas adhere to the following practices:

• Abstain from using any synthetic fertiliser, pesticide or herbicide.
• Environmental protection of lands surrounding the gardens.
• Replenishment and maintenance of garden soil fertility using natural means.
• Promoting and maintaining biodiversity in the gardens and surrounding lands.

Black Teas

Bold in flavour, black tea offers a diverse range of flavours, from estate teas to the popular blends of an English Breakfast, aromatic Earl Grey or spiced Chai.

• Black (Flavoured)

  Pure high-grown Estate teas are drum-blended in small batches with natural flavouring oils for incomparable flavour and character. 100% natural. 100% delicious. From the exotic fruit notes of mango to the light chocolatey and caramel taste of maple, our luxury flavoured black teas offer a rich, enjoyable cup for everyone.

• Chai

  Rich. Spicy. Magical. Crafted from premium seasonal tea and a wide assortment of sustainably-farmed spices, that deliver luxury character that outshines all other Chai teas.

• China Black

  Looking for exceptional Chinese black teas? We’ve done the research for you and sourced a selection of sustainably-farmed black teas from the country’s top producers. Whether your taste is for Keemun or a luxury Lapsang Souchong, we’ve got you covered.

• English Favourites

  Milk before the tea, or tea before the milk? That is the question people have asked since tea was introduced to the UK in the 17th century. Since that time, tea has become synonymous with England. To celebrate Britain’s rich relationship with tea and its role in the global tea trade, we are proud to bring you our industry-leading English Breakfast along with an impressive Canadian Breakfast.

• Estate

  Unlock one of the world’s greatest collections of luxury-grade single Estate teas. Our teas come from the top 2% tier from the top 10% of producers in Darjeeling, Assam, Kenya, Tanzania and more. You simply won’t find a better cup.

Green

We have put together an incomparable selection of the top 2% of green teas on offer, globally. A glimpse of our collection includes roasted floral Jasmine, bold Gunpowder, and nutty Genmaicha. Our green teas are purchased exclusively from sustainable farms with impeccable social ethics, and even then only at peak harvest times. You simply won’t find a better selection, anywhere.

• Green (Flavoured)

  Small batch-crafted from Gunpowder, Chunmee, and Sencha green tea varieties, and flavoured with natural oils for luscious character and impeccable mouthfeel. With flavour profiles ranging from Long Island Strawberry to Grapefruit Rose, there’s something for every customer.

Herbal

From chamomile blossoms to spearmint leaves to turmeric root and everything in between, we offer a wide selection of herbals. Our herbals make excellent additions to customs blends or delicately balanced tisanes on their own.

• Herbal Blends

  100% natural, 100% delicious, and caffeine-free, our herbal blends offer a blast of flavour with every sip. Craft-blended from luxury grade ingredients, these offer a juicy dose of antioxidants and vitamins that can be enjoyed hot or over ice. Rich and juicy, these blends of fruit, flowers and natural flavourings are designed to please.

Matcha

Rich in antioxidants and flavour, our Matchas set the benchmark for quality, flavour, and freshness. From traditional Japanese and China green tea varieties, to the less well known but equally impressive Yerba Mate from Brazil, we bring you a Matcha selection that is perfect for every-day sipping, cooking experimentation, smoothie blending, or ice cream manufacturing. Explore them all.

Oolong

What makes Oolong different from green and black teas? The answer lies in the fermentation process. Freshly plucked the leaf is green in colour, turning black during fermentation. Oolong, a semi-fermented tea, lies somewhere in the middle — like a perfectly ripened banana. Oolong like you’ve never tasted it before, our luxury and rare Oolongs offer pure sipping satisfaction.

Pu-Erh (Flavoured)

One of the tea world's more exotic offerings. Pu-erh is considered a "post-fermented" tea. During processing, the leaves are fermented after rolling and drying, giving the tea a rich, sweet earthy character. Blended with 100% all natural flavouring, our Scottish Caramel Pu-Erh is something to delight the tea-lover who has tried it all.

Rooibos

Also called redbush tea, Rooibos is naturally sweet and caffeine free. The lesser known Green Rooibos offers a more delicate drink, reminiscent of a quality Sencha.

White

Considered tea’s purest expression, white teas undergo minimal processing to produce a delicate cup of pure camelia sinensis. Gentle in character and loaded with antioxidants, why not try our exceptional Pai Mu Tan white tea.