The Top 5 British Tea Brands

It's no secret that the British love their tea. In fact, it's estimated that we drink 165 million cups per day! That's a lot of tea! With so much tea being consumed, it's no surprise that there are a plethora of different brands to choose from. So, which ones are the best? Here are the top 5 best selling British tea brands at the time of writing.

1. PG Tips
PG Tips is one of the most popular tea brands in the UK and has been around since 1930. The company is known for its pyramid-shaped tea bags, which allow more of the tea leaves to infuse into the water and produce a fuller-flavored cup of tea. PG Tips is also one of the few remaining tea companies that still sources its own leaves, ensuring a high level of quality control. PG Tips Original is a blend of black tea and is known for its strong and rich flavor.

2. Tetley
Tetley is another long-standing British tea brand, having been founded all the way back in 1837. Tetley is probably best known for its round tea bags, which it says allows the leaves to move more freely and produce a better cup of tea. The company also offers a wide range of different teas, including green, black, herbal, and fruit-infused varieties.

3. Twinings
Twinings is one of the oldest British tea companies, having been founded in 1706. The company is perhaps best known for its Lady Grey and Earl Grey teas, both of which are flavored with bergamot oil. Twinings also offers a wide range of other teas, including green, black, herbal, fruit-infused, and chai varieties.

4. Yorkshire Tea
Yorkshire Tea is a relative newcomer to the British tea scene, having been founded in 1886. Well, let's just say they've been around not as long as Twinings. 🤣 However, in that not so short time, it has managed to become one of the most popular brands in the country. Yorkshire Tea prides itself on being a "proper" tea, meaning it is made using only high-quality Assam and African teas. The company also donates 1% of its profits to charities supporting farmers in Africa and Asia.

5. Typhoo
Typhoo was founded in 1903 by Birmingham grocer John Sumner Jr., who developed a blend of Indian teas that he claimed had medicinal properties. Typhoo remains a family-owned business to this day and continues to source its teas from India and Africa. The company offers a wide range of different teas, including black, green, decaffeinated, herbal, and fruit-infused varieties.

There you have it! At the time of writing, these are the top 5 picks for the best selling British tea brands. Of course, there are many other great options out there (including M&S, Barry's ,and The London Cuppa), but these are the peoples favorites. Happy sipping!

FAQ

1. How do you make a perfect cup of British tea?

• Boil fresh cold water and let it sit for a minute to cool slightly.
• Warm up the teapot by rinsing it with hot water, then discard the water.
• Add loose tea leaves or tea bags to the teapot (use 1 tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose tea per cup of water).
• Pour the hot water over the tea leaves or bags in the teapot.
• Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes (depending on your preference).
• Pour the tea through a strainer or remove the tea bags.
• Add milk, sugar or honey to taste, if desired.
• Serve with biscuits or other snacks.

2. What is the difference between English Breakfast Tea and Earl Grey Tea?

English Breakfast Tea is a blend of several black teas that are typically stronger and more robust than other black teas. Earl Grey Tea is a black tea that has been flavored with oil extracted from the rind of bergamot oranges, giving it a distinctive citrusy and floral aroma and flavor.

3. Where can I find the best British tea in Canada?

There are many specialty tea shops and retailers in Canada that sell a variety of British teas, including Twinings, and Taylors of Harrogate. You can also find British tea in some grocery stores, as well as online retailers. Of course, here at British Bundles we plan to build our available British Tea selection up as well.

4. How is British tea different from other teas?

British tea is typically black tea, which is stronger and more robust than other types of tea. It is often served with milk and sugar, and is a traditional part of British culture, often accompanied by scones, biscuits, or other snacks.

5. How do I make a pot of tea for a large group of people?

Pretty much the same as a perfect cup of British Tea, only with more tea, water, and cups of course. 😉

• Boil enough fresh cold water to fill the teapot and any additional cups.
• Warm up the teapot and cups by rinsing them with hot water, then discard the water.
• Add loose tea leaves or tea bags to the teapot (use about 1 teaspoon of loose tea or 1 tea bag per cup of water).
• Pour the hot water over the tea leaves or bags in the teapot.
• Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes (depending on your preference).
• Pour the tea through a strainer or remove the tea bags.
• Serve in pre-warmed cups with milk, sugar, or honey to taste, if desired. Alternatively, you can serve the tea in a large jug or carafe with separate milk and sugar on the side.