Twinings of London Tea

http://bestuff.com/

http://bestuff.com/

Twinings Earl Grey teabag

Twinings is a marketer of tea, based in Andover, Hampshire, England.

Thomas Twining opened the first known tea room in 1706, which remains at 216 Strand, London today. Under Associated British Foods since 1964, Stephen Twining now represents the company's ten generations. In 2006, Twinings celebrated its 300th anniversary, with a special tea, and associated tea caddies.

Twinings mostly provides medium-class, inexpensive teas such as Lapsang Souchong, English Breakfast, Lady Grey and Darjeeling. It is generally accepted that the company was the first to blend Earl Grey in Britain during the premiership of Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, although this is disputed by rival tea merchants Jacksons of Piccadilly.

During 2005, Twinings introduced its first generic, non-speciality tea, under the brand 'Everyday Tea'. In 2006 they started producing a tinned luxury chocolate drink, and in 2007 they also launched a selection of tinned luxury coffees onto the market.

The company is a founding member of the Ethical Tea Partnership, a group of tea-packing companies that work for a fair trade policy and monitor the ethical conditions on tea estates.