The tradition of flavouring tea is almost as old as the culture of tea itself. In China, tea has been flavoured for nearly two thousand years with ingredients such as citrus peel, jasmine flowers, roses and lychee, whilst spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and ginger have long been used in India and other parts of Asia. Here you will find our range of flavoured teas – from classical Earl Grey and spicy chai to teas flavoured with cold-pressed citrus oils, essential oils and whole spices. We have chosen to continue using traditional flavouring methods where the flavour comes from the raw ingredients themselves. Natural flavourings are based on a different principle. They are specific flavouring ingredients in which flavour compounds are extracted, isolated, purified and concentrated from natural raw materials before being used in foodstuffs. If the list of ingredients only states natural flavouring The raw material from which the flavour is derived does not need to be the same fruit, berry or spice as that with which the flavour is associated. We have therefore chosen a different approach. Instead of flavouring ingredients, we use cold-pressed citrus oils, essential oils and whole spices. These remain true to their origins and allow the raw ingredient itself to contribute the aroma and flavour it naturally possesses. For us, this is a natural extension of the same philosophy that characterises our selection of teas – placing the raw ingredient’s origin, character and craftsmanship at the heart of everything we do.
Traditional flavoured teas from the world’s classic tea-growing regions
Our flavoured teas are based on the same philosophy as the rest of our range. The foundation is always a single-origin tea with a distinct character, where the flavouring is chosen to complement the tea’s own aromas rather than to dominate them. That is why we use different base teas depending on the flavour profile we wish to achieve – from Chinese and Indian black teas into Japanese green teas, white teas and rooibos.
What is it, actually, that gives it its flavour?
Many people assume that the pieces of fruit, flower petals or spices visible in a flavoured tea are also responsible for the bulk of its flavour. In many commercial teas, however, the characteristic flavour comes primarily from flavouring ingredients, whilst the visible ingredients mainly contribute to the appearance and sometimes also to a complementary flavour or aroma.
We have chosen a different path. For us, the ingredient that gives the flavour must also be the ingredient we use. That is why our products are flavoured Earl Grey Assam Gold with cold-pressed bergamot oil from Calabria, Earl Green Sencha with the same traditional bergamot oil on a base of Japanese green tea, White Peony Rose with rose essential oil and Kukicha Ginger Lemon with ginger essential oil and citrus. Chai Supreme and Chai Wild Rooibos is based on whole spices in the classical Indian tradition, whilst Lychee Black follows an ancient Chinese tradition in which lychee is used to complement the tea’s own character. Flower petals, just like cornflowers in our Earl Grey teas, can be used to give the tea its classic visual appearance, but the flavour comes from the ingredients used in the actual flavouring process.
Flavourings that complement the tea
For us, flavouring is not about masking the tea’s character, but about enhancing it. Bergamot complements the malty notes in a black tea, citrus and ginger interact with the fresh, grassy notes in a Japanese green tea, and rose adds elegance without overpowering the white tea’s own character. Just as we select teas with a clear provenance, we want the flavouring to have a clear provenance too. The result is teas where the ingredients and provenance come together to form a harmonious whole.
Flavoured teas with a clear provenance
The range includes everything from classic Earl Grey teas and chai to floral, citrus and spiced teas. Whether you’re looking for an elegant afternoon tea, a spicy winter tea or a refreshing green tea, the aim remains the same: to allow both the tea and its flavouring to express their true character in a natural and balanced way.
