Aromas and flavours: enter the Twinings tea universe

You’ll have seen it many times in fiction: tea time for the English is not forgotten. But parody beyond all, reality surpasses fiction. In the UK, tea is more than just a drink, more than just a ritual. You could say that it's part of their DNA. And Twinings is a benchmark for many British people.

The history of Twinings is closely linked to that of Great Britain and has some quite interesting chapters. Over the 300 years of its existence, from its foundation in 1706 to the present day, not only has it grown, it has also created (and continues to write) very memorable episodes that go beyond just a steaming cup of tea. 

To understand a story better, you better start from the beginning. In this case, it should be noted that tea does not originate in England, adding a touch of mystery to how it managed to take root so strongly in the English country.

The first documented data on tea in China date back to 350 AD. (There are myths that suggest that it was tasted a couple of thousand years before...). It arrived in Europe at the beginning of the 17th century and conquered the upper classes. 

As soon as he landed, the British had already monopolized his trade. 100 years later, a young entrepreneur saw the potential of the leaves and soon found a gap in the market among the ladies of high society. 

The young man's name was Thomas Twining. With her savings, she bought Tom's Coffee House at 1706 and sold high-quality tea to differentiate the hotel from the 2000 coffee shops that were in the city. The ladies of London's high society played an important role in its success story.

At that time, the ladies could not use the cafeterias, and sent their lackeys to buy dry tea from Mr. Twining's small bar.

Just one year later, in 1717, he extended the premises and set up a store next to the Coffee House in which the ladies were allowed to enter and soon became regular customers.

The inauguration of the first tea shop in the world allowed women to buy directly. A new product that was well received, making it a fashion icon and helping raise its fame.

Among its notorious clientele are guests such as the famous novelist Jane Austen, or William Hogarth, the British artist and illustrator, to whom we owe the creation of their comic strips.

It’s not just about boiling water, tea leaves and cozy cups. Throughout its history, this house has been involved in many events that have changed our lives. Its notoriety is due, in large part, to its collaboration with society and its constant innovation. How will I tell you? Come in and read.

1.    Since it was founded, the Twining family has been closely linked to the history of Great Britain. Played a key role in defining tea consumption thanks to a sales strategy. Thomas's grandson Richard, when he became the head of the company in 1783, pushed for a reduction of taxes on this product in England. This plan managed to stimulate a large increase in use and, at the same time, reduce smuggling.

2.    Being an official supplier to the Royal House from Queen Victoria up to the present day is one of our biggest guarantees. You can see the Royal Warrant proudly displayed on one of the walls of the store. 

3.    The famous Earl Gray has been specially created by the brand. The Prime Minister, Charles Gray, ordered Twinings to create a tailor-made wine. The result was so successful that in 1831 it was here to stay.

4.    Throughout the company’s history they have actively collaborated in social work. For example, in 1890 Elizabeth Twining set up her own home to train young people with few resources to help them find work, while her sister Luisa founded homes to care for the sick and elderly.

5.    Another of the great classics for tea lovers also bears his signature. As they wanted to find a more powerful blend for breakfast, they thought of combining tea with food, and more specifically with bacon. Your name? English Breakfast, of course. 

6.    Invention of the century: They created tea bags! While the traditional way of enjoying the tea in the UK used loose leaves, new American consumers looked for something different and more functional. And so in 1956 Twinings introduced this practical way of preparing tea.

7.    But his/her advances do not stay in the past. The company is currently committed to ethical and environmental production. They also have a programme, Sourced with Care. Through responsible sourcing, we aim to improve the lives of tea growers and their communities, protecting the rights of workers, a fair income and supporting the empowerment of women and youngsters.

That may be the secret of your success: a quality product that belongs to a company with values.  

The oldest teashop in London, located at 216 Strand, opposite the Royal Courts of Justification, is one of the most iconic attractions in the capital and near the famous Candem district. It also currently offers tea accessories and gifts, ideal to take with you as a souvenir of your trip to London.

Access to the store is easy, with several bus and metro lines practically on the doorstep.  
Another attraction of the store is that you can touch, smell and taste the products on the bar, and you can even take home a sample to make your choice better. All accompanied by advice from experts who maintain and test the quality of our products. There is also a "Pick & Mix" wall designed to allow your senses to be at the heart of the experience and allow you to create a personalized selection of tea sachets.

You can also celebrate a special occasion in the most original way by choosing one of the master classes given in the store (some of the themes can also be done online). Find out which of the four alternatives is best and make yourself a cup. Herbal workshop, making herbal teas; creation of personalized blends with expert advice; Twinings family history and classic tea workshop to learn more about the six main types of tea.