National Tea Day
It’s hard to imagine a more British celebration than National Tea Day, held every April 21st in the UK. People will be partaking in our national drink in cafes, hotels and tea rooms all across the country, and there are plenty of special events and festivals to attend. But tea can be enjoyed at home just as easily. Here are five of our favourite ethical tea brands to keep you well-stocked for the big day.
Clipper
In 1994 Clipper started selling the first Fairtrade certified tea in the world. Today they’re still the biggest Fairtrade tea brand in the UK, and all their tea bags – from peppermint to chamomile – are organic, plastic-free and come in biodegradable packaging.
For their decaf range, Clipper use the CO2 decaffeination method rather than a chemical based approach – meaning less damage to the environment, no nasty residues left behind, and the flavour remains intact. So their decaf tea and decaf Earl Grey tea bags taste just as good as their caffeinated counterparts.
Yogi Tea
Sustainability is central to Yogi Tea’s operation. They’re aiding reforestation efforts in Madagascar, collaborating with other tea companies to reduce the carbon footprint of cardamom from Guatemala, and supplying cheap eco-friendly fertiliser in Sri Lanka. As testament to their environmental credentials, they’re a certified B Corporation.
They offer a unique and varied range of teas, from old favourites like rooibos to more offbeat choices like choco tea and specialised blends like stomach comfort tea. Can’t decide? Pick up a variety pack and try a bit of everything – maybe you’ll discover a new favourite.
English Tea Shop
English Tea Shop’s remarkable set of certifications speaks for itself – Fair Trade, carbon neutral, organic (as recognised by the Soil Association) and a certified B Corporation, among many other achievements. If you need to know for sure that you’re getting an ethical, sustainable, high-quality product, look no further.
Alongside English breakfast tea and Earl Grey they offer some unique fruit-based blends – why not try cranberry, hibiscus and rosehip or apple, rosehip and cinnamon to add some sweet, floral notes to your morning cuppa?
Dragonfly Tea
Like their insect namesakes – which have been known to migrate across oceans – Dragonfly Tea aren’t afraid to travel far and wide in search of the perfect ingredients. Though they’re based in the UK, their Cape Malay Chai combines Cape Malay spices with rooibos tea from the Cedarberg Mountains in Cape Town. The vibrant tea-drinking culture in Morocco has inspired their Moroccan Mint green tea blend.
Of course, fair trade principles become more and more important the further afield you go. Dragonfly Tea work directly with small-scale farmers, with an emphasis on transparency and quality control and making sure things are kept fair at every stage of the process. Everything’s organic, vegan-friendly and plastic free.
Hampstead Tea
Biodynamic farming is the name of the game with Hampstead Tea. This approach prioritises soil health and biodiversity, not only producing high-quality crops but also contributing to the wellbeing of the planet. It also means no pesticides, herbicides or GMOs. So you can enjoy their delicious Darjeeling or Earl Grey with a clear conscience.
But you can’t really go wrong with any of the teas we stock – white or black, green or herbal, they’ll all bring you a warm glow and a refreshing energy boost. Check out our full range here.
