The Proper Tea Co

The Proper Tea Co, tea merchant and blender in East Sussex

The Proper Tea Co is an independent tea merchant and blender established in 2013 and based in the village of Pett, near Hastings, in East Sussex. As well as its online shop, the company operates at regular markets and events in East Sussex and Kent, and publishes a diary to show where it can be found each week.

Tea and infusion range

The usual range is around 90 different teas and infusions. The online shop organises the catalogue into several families:

• Black tea
• Green and white tea
• Oolong tea
• Rooibos tea
• Fruit tea
• Herb and spice blends
• Flavoured black, green, white, oolong, rooibos, fruit and herb teas
• Organic cultivation selections

Among the highlights on the site are Mulled Wine (flavoured fruit tea), Pu Erh King (vintage 2019), Christmas Spiced Tea, Ceylon Orange Pekoe from the Kenilworth Estate, Lazy Day Herb Blend, Earl Grey, Green Earl Grey, Moroccan Mint, Turmeric Gold Spiced Herb Tea, Russian Caravan, Golden Nepal and Hibiscus Flower Tea. The catalogue listed a unit price of £4.75 for several of these items.

Teaware and tea brewing accessories

Alongside tea, the company sells teaware and brewing accessories. The range includes teapots — among them the Barcelona Teapot, with a fitted stainless steel infuser and capacity for two people — porcelain, stoneware and glass mugs with integrated infuser and lid, and brewing accessories such as a stainless steel infuser with lid and drip tray, made of fine mesh, suitable for most mugs and loose leaf teas.

Sales formats and gift sets

The site offers gift tins by tea family: black tea, green and white tea, oolong, flavoured black tea, flavoured green tea, fruit tea, rooibos and herb tea, as well as a tea taster gift tin and gift box selections. Individual mug infusers are also available.

Shipping and promotions

The shop offers free standard delivery on orders of £20 and over and a 10% discount when buying four or more teas. The site announced a temporary closure for online orders between 14 October and 1 November.

Customer reviews

The company displays an "Excellent" rating on Trustpilot, with 464 reviews collected on the site. Published comments praise the quality and freshness of the teas, the speed of delivery, the environmentally friendly packaging and the owner's knowledge when recommending blends.

Location and contact

Lincolns, Pett Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 4JG · Telephone: 07934 529826 · Email: tea@theproperteaco.co.uk