Twinings
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. Twining's is a Royal Warrant holder (appointed by HM The Queen).
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.
Stephen Fry recently appeared in the Twinings TV adverts. Notably on QI, a programme he hosts, he has been made fun of for being the front man of Twinings, especially from the likes of Phill Jupitus. The latest celebrity recruit is in the form of Domestic Goddess Nigella Lawson.
Twinings also owns Nambarrie a tea company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which has been trading for 140 years. In April 2008 Twinings announced their decision to close the Nambarrie plant with the likely loss of 34 jobs. Twinings said it needed to consolidate its UK manufacturing operations in the face of increasing global competition. Nambarrie Managing Director Brian Davis commented "Our employees have made us a local success and for that we owe them a deep debt of gratitude".
[edit] Product Range
Classics range
- Earl Grey
- English Breakfast
- Irish Breakfast
- Lady Grey
- Prince of Wales
- Traditional Afternoon
'Blended For You' range
- Blended to Cleanse
- Blended as a Digestif
- Blended to Revitalise
- Blended for Tranquillity
Traditional Herbal
- Pure Camomile
- Pure Peppermint
- Lemon & Ginger
- Pure Fennel
- Jasmine
- Pure Rooibos
Camomile Blends
- Camomile & Spiced Apple
- Camomile & Lime Flowers
- Camomile & Peppermint
- Camomile, Honey & Vanilla
Herbal & Fruit Blends
- Blackberry & Nettle
- Wild Blackberry & Nettle
- Ginger, Orange & Honey
- Echinacea & Raspberry
- Blackcurrant, Ginseng & Vanilla
Red Berries
- Cranberry, Raspberry & Elderflower
- Strawberry & Mango
- Raspberry, Strawberry & Loganberry
- Elderflower, Strawberry & Rose
Citrus Fruit
- Orange, Mango & Cinnamon
- Pink Grapefruit, Mandarin & Lime
- Lemon Burst
- Mandarin & Lychee
Soft Fruit Blends
- Peach and Passion Fruit
- Blackcurrant Burst
- Pear & Guava
Herbal & Fruit Selections
- Fruit
- Refreshing & Revitalising
- Exotic
- Gentle & Soothing
Organic Infusions
- Camomile
- Peppermint
- Ginger & Mandarin Infusion
- Honeybush & Melon Infusion
[edit] Notable members of the Twining family
- Elizabeth Twining (1805–1889), botanical illustrator.
[edit] External links
- Official British website
- Twinings Tea Blog
- Official American website
- Criticisms of perceived changes to Twinings' Earl Grey blend (American version)
- Interview with Stephen Twining (September 2006) The Citizen, South Africa
