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Twinings: Britain’s Oldest Tea Company Since 1706

Twinings sources organic matcha from family farms in Kagoshima and Shizuoka, with grassy notes and a subtle savory finish.
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Who is Twinings?

Twinings is a British tea company offering organic ceremonial-grade matcha from Kagoshima and Shizuoka, Japan. Its fine-ground powder brings grassy notes, subtle savory finish, and lime-green color.

Direct sourcing from family farms supports quality control and traditional cultivation. Producers use tana shading, select ichibancha first-flush leaves, then steam, dry, and stone-grind them into matcha.

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Britain's oldest tea company crafting ceremonial matcha since 1706

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Twinings in details

Twinings stands as Britain’s oldest tea company, with a heritage stretching back to 1706 when Thomas Twining opened his doors on London’s Strand. For over three centuries, this family-run enterprise has remained at the same address—holding the distinction of being London’s longest-standing ratepayer and maintaining the world’s oldest continually-used company logo.

A Legacy Built on Quality and Innovation

Thomas Twining revolutionized tea culture in England by making premium tea accessible beyond the elite. His vision transformed tea from an expensive luxury into Britain’s national beverage—a shift cemented when his grandson Richard successfully lobbied Prime Minister William Pitt to slash tea taxes from 119% to 12.5% in 1784. This bold move democratized tea drinking and established Twinings as a household name.

The company earned its first Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria in 1837 and has supplied every successive British monarch since. This royal endorsement speaks to unwavering quality standards maintained across ten generations of the Twining family.

Masterblending Expertise Meets Modern Matcha

Twinings pioneered the art of tea blending in the 18th century, creating the legendary Earl Grey in 1831 for Prime Minister Charles Grey II. Today, that same blending mastery extends to their matcha offerings, combining traditional Japanese cultivation methods with centuries of British tea expertise.

The brand’s matcha products reflect this dual heritage:

  • Premium ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from established Japanese tea gardens
  • Carefully curated starter kits designed for both beginners and enthusiasts
  • Blends that honor authentic matcha traditions while meeting contemporary tastes

Commitment to Ethical Sourcing

Since 1997, Twinings has been a founding member of the Ethical Tea Partnership, working to improve conditions on tea estates globally. Their Sourced with Care programme, launched in 2016, supports tea-growing communities through fair labor practices and environmental stewardship. This commitment ensures every cup contributes to sustainable tea production.

Why Twinings Matters for Matcha Lovers

When you choose Twinings matcha, you’re selecting a brand that has spent 318 years perfecting the tea experience. Their matcha products bring together Japanese authenticity and British refinement—backed by royal approval, ethical sourcing practices, and an unmatched understanding of what makes exceptional tea. For those exploring matcha’s vibrant world, Twinings offers a trusted entry point grounded in centuries of tea wisdom.

About the Twinings Matcha

Twinings offers an organic ceremonial-grade matcha, a fine-ground green tea powder with a vibrant lime-green color that signals its freshness.

Flavor and Use

The tea shows fresh, grassy notes with a subtle savory finish, making it versatile for both traditional preparation and modern drinks such as lattes, smoothies, and shakes.

Preparation

For traditional service, place 1g of matcha in a bowl, add 70ml of boiled water cooled to 70–80°C, and whisk in a W motion with a bamboo whisk. The matcha carries more caffeine than regular green tea, while its L-theanine supports a calm, focused state without the crash associated with coffee.

Harvest location

Twinings sources its matcha powder directly from family farms in two of Japan's most renowned tea regions, Kagoshima and Shizuoka. Kagoshima in the south is celebrated for volcanic soil that gives a bright, smooth taste, its terroir shaped by volcanic minerals, while Shizuoka is known for a clean, balanced flavour suited to ceremonial and culinary use. This direct relationship supports quality control and traditional farming.

Shading and harvest

Production begins with shading the plants for weeks before harvest to boost chlorophyll and L-theanine. This canopy technique, known as tana, develops the vibrant green colour and complex flavour of ceremonial-grade matcha. The first flush, ichibancha, provides the highest-quality young leaves, hand-picked during the optimal harvest window.

Processing

Harvested leaves are then steamed, dried and stone-ground into the fine powder that defines authentic matcha.

Twinings History

Twinings is Britain's oldest tea company, founded in 1706 when Thomas Twining of Gloucestershire transformed a coffee shop at No. 216 Strand, London, into Britain's first known tea room, a location that still operates today.

Key milestones

  • 1787 — Created its logo, the world's oldest corporate logo in continuous use.
  • 1831 — Claimed to have invented Earl Grey tea.
  • 2020 — Launched a Japanese matcha collection from Kagoshima and Shizuoka.
January 1, 1706

Thomas Twining of Painswick, Gloucestershire, established Britain's first known tea room by transforming a coffee shop at No. 216 Strand, London. This historic location continues to operate today, marking the beginning of what would become Britain's oldest tea company and a cornerstone of British tea culture.

January 1, 1787

Twinings created their iconic logo, which holds the remarkable distinction of being the world's oldest corporate logo in continuous use. This visual identity has remained unchanged for over two centuries, symbolizing the brand's commitment to tradition and consistency across generations.

January 1, 1831

Twinings claimed to have invented the famous Earl Grey tea blend, a bergamot-flavored black tea that would become one of the most recognizable and beloved tea varieties in British culture. This innovation demonstrated the company's pioneering spirit in tea blending and flavor development.

January 1, 2020

Twinings expanded into the premium matcha market by sourcing ceremonial grade organic matcha powder directly from family farms in Kagoshima and Shizuoka, Japan. This move represented the brand's adaptation to contemporary wellness trends while maintaining their commitment to quality sourcing and traditional production methods.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

How does Twinings' 300-year tea heritage influence their ceremonial grade matcha sourcing?

Twinings leverages its established relationships with Japanese tea suppliers, sourcing their ceremonial grade organic matcha directly from family farms in Kagoshima and Shizuoka prefectures. Founded in 1706, the company's centuries of tea expertise helps them identify quality suppliers who employ traditional Japanese cultivation methods including shading techniques to enhance chlorophyll and L-theanine levels.

This heritage connection ensures their matcha maintains the vibrant lime green color and complex flavor profile with fresh, grassy notes and a subtle savory finish that distinguishes their ceremonial grade powder from culinary varieties.

What makes Twinings matcha different from other British tea brands entering the matcha market?

Twinings stands apart with their Royal Warrant status and the distinction of having the world's oldest corporate logo in continuous use since 1787. Their matcha is sourced exclusively from Kagoshima and Shizuoka family farms, regions known for volcanic soil and clean, balanced flavors respectively.

  • Ceremonial grade organic certification ensures premium quality
  • 30g packaging provides authentic portion sizing
  • Direct sourcing relationships established through centuries of tea trading
  • Historic flagship store at 216 Strand London offers authentic brand experience

Can I visit Twinings' historic London store to purchase their ceremonial grade matcha?

Yes, Twinings' flagship store at 216 Strand in London has been operating continuously since 1706 and stocks their full range including the ceremonial grade organic matcha powder. This historic location, originally opened by Thomas Twining as Britain's first known tea room, offers customers the opportunity to purchase their 30g matcha packages while experiencing over three centuries of British tea heritage.

The store serves as both a retail location and a living museum of the brand's evolution from coffee shop to global tea empire under Associated British Foods.

Why does Twinings recommend their matcha for lattes and smoothies rather than traditional tea ceremony?

Twinings markets their ceremonial grade matcha for contemporary Western consumption, suggesting use in lattes, smoothies, and shakes to cater to modern tastes. Despite being ceremonial grade with its vibrant lime green hue and complex flavor profile, they position it as accessible for everyday enjoyment rather than formal chanoyu (tea ceremony) practice.

This approach reflects their strategy of bringing traditional Japanese matcha to British and international markets through familiar beverage formats, while maintaining the quality standards expected from a Royal Warrant holder with over 300 years of tea expertise.

What specific regions in Japan supply Twinings' matcha and how do they differ?

Twinings sources their ceremonial grade organic matcha from family farms in two distinct Japanese regions:

  • Kagoshima Prefecture: Known for volcanic soil that produces matcha with bright, smooth taste characteristics
  • Shizuoka Prefecture: Renowned for clean, balanced flavor profiles that complement the grassy notes in Twinings' blend

This dual-region sourcing allows Twinings to create their signature complex flavor profile with fresh, grassy notes and a subtle savory finish, distinguishing their 30g ceremonial grade powder from single-origin alternatives.