Brewing moments that matter, the story of Tetley
We are a beloved tea brand known for its commitment to quality and the belief that sharing a cup of tea is a simple, yet meaningful way to show you care.
Founded in 1837 by the Tetley brothers in Yorkshire, England, Tetley has grown into a household name, bringing the people of Britain together, one cup at a time. Whether it’s catching up with a friend, comforting a loved one, or enjoying a quiet moment alone, Tetley believes that tea has the power to create connections and lasting memories.
Origins and cultural significance of tea
The tea we drink is derived from Camellia sinensis, an evergreen tree of the ceae family. As Camellia sinensis is indigenous to China and parts of India, each culture has a claim to the discovery of this popular beverage.
India's legend originates with a saintly priest named Bodhidharma. About 1,900 years ago, the eventual founder of Zen Buddhism was in the fifth year of a seven-year sleepless contemplation of Buddha.
Finding himself dangerously close to falling asleep, Bodhidharma snatched some leaves from a nearby bush and chewed them. He was immediately revived. Bodhidharma turned to these leaves—the leaves of a wild tea tree—whenever he again felt drowsy, and was thus, according to legend, able to complete his seven years of meditation.
Tea's popularity as a wholesome, invigorating drink first spread throughout China and Japan. The first book on tea, Ch'a Ching, was written by the Chinese author Lu Yu in the eighth century.
A definitive, poetic manual that covers the cultivation and production of tea, it is credited with helping tea become China's national drink long before it was ever tasted in the West.
The Chinese Emperor Shen Nung is sitting under a large tea plant (Camellia sinensis) while his servant boils drinking water. Some leaves from the tree blow into the water, an accidental infusion takes place, and the cup of tea is born. Well, that’s the legend, anyway!
By now, tea is the national drink of China. It's manufactured in a brick form: the tea leaves are pounded and pressed into a brick-shaped mold and then dried.
In the 1600s, the British East India Company had a monopoly on importing goods from outside Europe. Tea’s popularity was spread by sailors bringing home tea as gifts
Unknown in Britain, Chinese tea is brought over by sailors and first served up in London’s coffee houses.
Portuguese princess (and tea addict), Catherine of Braganza, marries King Charles II and soon establishes tea as a fashionable drink for the very wealthy. Tea was regarded and traded as an expensive commodity for the affluent.
The East India Company places its first order for tea to be imported into Britain.
Britain is now obsessed with tea, but taxes put it out of reach. 5 million lbs of tea is sold legally – but 7 million lbs is smuggled.
By this point, tea is the favored drink of Britain’s lower classes, in spite of the huge taxes it carries. These taxes are reduced in the middle of the 19th century.
The Boston Tea Party: when British ships arrive in Boston, a band of men board the ships, split open its cargo of 342 chests and throw the lot into the sea. It was a protest over the British taxes.
The famous clipper races begin in China and go down the China Sea, across the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, up the Atlantic, past the Azores, and into the English Channel. The clippers are then towed up the River Thames by tugs, and the first ship to throw its cargo onto the docks is the winner.
Joseph and Edward Tetley start to sell salt in Yorkshire, England. In time, they add tea to their repertoire. Good move.
The Tetley brothers move to Cullum Street, London, just yards from the tea auction rooms. They eventually part ways, and Joseph unveils the newly named “Joseph Tetley & Co., Wholesale Tea Dealers”.
Tetley took his son Joseph "Junior" into partnership. Business flourished, and the company extended its services to include blending and packing.
At the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904, a heat wave leads tea planter Richard Blechynden to add ice to his tea. It causes a sensation, and iced tea is born.
A happy accident. New York tea merchant, Thomas Sullivan, sent samples of tea to customers in small silken bags, which people wrongly assumed were supposed to be placed into tea pots, rather than emptying out the contents. Consequently, the much-loved tea bag was born!
Tetley’s British representative, TI Tetley- Jones, goes to America and brings back the idea of the tea bag. In 1940, the first Tetley tea bag machines, known as the “Grey Ladies”, stitch 40 tea bags a minute for export.
To great public joy, World War Two tea rationing is finally lifted, and the foundations are laid for Tetley to bring the tea bag to the UK market for the first time.
Tetley introduces the Drawstring tea which was designed to help give the same great taste as our original tea bag, just without the mess.
By now, Tetley tea bag sales have soared to 5,000 tons a year.
An Elvis-inspired Gaffer celebrates the launch of the Round Bag. By 2004, the Tetley range of teas has grown to offer fruit and herbal infusions, green teas, and specialty blends… and we’re still updating and innovating today.
A delicious blend of Asian and African green tea leaves, sourced from high altitude plantations, gives Tetley’s Pure Green its smooth, mellow taste.
Carefully sourced from the Cedarberg region of South Africa and perfect for our caffeine-free tea lovers, Tetley launched Pure Redbush.
Every week, Tetley buys one million kilos of tea for making countless cups of Tetley tea that the world enjoys every day.
Tetley launched the Innovative Super Tea range, with added vitamins to help support immune systems or to help reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Tetley unveiled a brand refresh with a new logo across all products and communications.
Gordon Bruce (@gordonbruceart) shared a “brewtiful” piece of art featuring the Tetley van.
Building on the success with Tetley Super Teas, Tetley broadened its presence in the area of functional drinks with the launch of a new product, Tetley Super Squash