Cup of Tea

Cup of Tea, a Somerset loose-leaf tea specialist since 2002

Cup of Tea is a Somerset-based company founded in 2002 that specialises in sourcing and distributing loose-leaf teas. The company states that it has worked to ensure its teas are produced using orthodox methods, meaning only handpicked leaves are selected. It describes tea as its way of life and reports two decades of experience in the tea industry.

The business operates as an online shop with international delivery and also runs a tea house. Its main office is listed at 4 Queen Street, Bath, Somerset, and a tea house is listed at Station Approach, Betws-y-Coed, in North Wales.

The tea range

The catalogue is organised by type and covers a broad spread of loose-leaf teas:

• Green, black, white and oolong teas
• Earl Grey and flavoured teas
• Herbal, fruit and rooibos teas
• Seasonal and caffeine-free selections
• Loose-leaf collections and 1 kg plain paper bulk bags

Classic references such as peppermint and English Breakfast sit alongside newer blends. Among the products highlighted on the site were Mulled Wine Spice, Ginger Lemon, Morning Light, Istanbul Sunrise, Rhubarb Cream, Rooibos Chocolate Orange, Rooibos Cream Orange, Irish Malt Chocolate, Ceylon Orange Pekoe, Red Fruit Pudding and Assam Garden. A Pumpkin Spice Latte flavoured black tea, described as combining spice, pumpkin and ginger with brewed black tea, was presented as the tea of the month.

Teaware, caddies and gifts

Beyond tea itself, the shop sells teaware and gift items. The range includes cast iron teapots of Chinese and Japanese style, such as the Xilin cast iron teapot in blue-black (0.8 L) and the Jang cast iron teapot in black (0.8 L), along with tea cups, mugs and accessories, tea infusers, strainers and filters. Storage is covered by tea caddies, including the Yumiko caddy of 150 g, and the site also lists tea gifts and tea hampers.

Tea bags are offered through branded formats: Althaus Deli Pack, Pyra Pack and Grand Pack teabags, Ronnefeldt Teavelope and LeafCup, and Ronnefeldt teabag presentation boxes.

Wholesale for hospitality and tea businesses

Cup of Tea supplies businesses as well as individual customers. Its wholesale line is aimed at hotels, tearooms, restaurants, spas and specialist tea shops, and the company presents itself as sharing its expertise with customers, tea connoisseurs and tea-related businesses.

The tea house in Betws-y-Coed

The company has opened a tea house in the village of Betws-y-Coed, North Wales, where tea tastings are offered.

Buying and customer information

Orders are handled through the online shop, which ships internationally and offers free UK shipping plus two free samples on orders over £35.00. The site also mentions a loyalty scheme, gift vouchers and gift wrap. A customer review quoted on the site praised the quality and service and said the reviewer would order again.