What Is Tea?
Where Does Tea Come From?
Tea plants flourish in warm, moist climates and can grow 20 feet high, if left unchecked. There was a time when all our black tea came from China, but not anymore!
Our experienced buyers work closely with thousands of tea gardens in over 20 different countries to select the very best tea leaves out there. The finest tea is grown in sunny climates and at high altitudes, with the tea plants trimmed to only three to four feet in height.
The largest producers of tea leaves are Kenya, Sri Lanka, India, and China, but tea is grown wherever there is a healthy amount of rain and sunshine.
Types of Tea
Uncover the distinctive taste and tradition behind every Tetley tea.
Black Tea
Strong in flavour, the black tea leaves are withered, rolled, oxidised and dried for a bright copper colour.
White Tea
White tea, which is again non-oxidised, features young or minimally processed Camellia sinensis leaves.
Green Tea
Extremely popular in China and Japan, green tea leaves are free from the oxidation process.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is semi-oxidised, and the leaves have a distinct greenish brown colour.
Tetley Tea
At Tetley, we have been making tea since 1837, so we know a thing or two about how to make the perfect cup. For us, it is about helping to create a thriving, global tea industry that is socially fair and environmentally sustainable.
That is why we are founder members of the Ethical Tea Partnership and source 100% of our tea from Rainforest Alliance Certified TM gardens.
The main factors that we consider while assessing our teas are:
01
The Leaf
Our evaluators assess the following factors:
- Density – Compactness and structure of the leaf
- Colour – Ranges from deep greens to lighter shades
- Shape – The overall outline and form of the leaf
- Size – Uniformity of the leaf particles
02
The Liquid
Our tasters assess the following factors:
- Sparkle – Purity of the colour
- Colour – From deep rich red up to light and yellow
- Body – The weight of the tea in the mouth
- Zing – Overall liveliness of the tea on the palate
Where Our Tea Comes From
The journey to your cup begins in tea gardens around the world, where Tetley tea is made from the young leaves and unopened buds of the plant; Camellia sinensis. We grow and buy tea from all across the world to get that lovely, full-bodied flavour that’s unique to Tetley.
Kenya
This hot and humid region produces mild teas with clear and bright liquors, perfect for Iced Tea!
Sri Lanka
This tropical island produces some beautiful teas – floral, fruity and smooth; it is grown high above sea level in the mountainous misty forests.
Malawi
Malawi : Known as the warm heart of Africa, the soil in this country is a beautiful, vibrant, red color. This produces the most richly colored teas in the world.
Darjeeling
Grown in the foothills of the Himalayas, teas here are delicate and peachy. In fact, they are often referred to as the champagne of teas.
Assam
Teas grown in the lush Brahmaputra valley of Northern India are rich, malty, brisk and full-bodied – perfect to wake you up in the morning.
Indonesia
These islands in Southeast Asia produce naturally spicy teas that take flavor well, perfect for Earl Grey blends.
China
The Chinese are experts in white, green and oolong teas. Each region has its own unique style, with closely guarded secrets passed down through generations. It would be impossible to taste all of the tea in China!
Argentina
This hot and humid region produces mild teas with clear and bright liquors, perfect for Iced Tea!
Discover
Tea Tips & Inspiration
Brew better, live slower, and discover the rituals that make every cup more meaningful.
