Twinings
Twinings presentation
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.
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Matcha produced by Twinings
Twinings offers Organic Matcha Powder in a convenient 30g package, positioning itself as a ceremonial grade organic green tea powder that bridges traditional Japanese tea culture with contemporary British tea heritage. This fine ground tea displays a vibrant lime green color that immediately signals its quality and freshness.
The flavor profile of Twinings matcha reveals complex tasting notes characterized by fresh, grassy elements complemented by a subtle savory finish. This sophisticated taste profile makes it versatile for both traditional preparation and modern applications. Twinings suggests enjoying their matcha in lattes, smoothies, or shakes, catering to contemporary consumer preferences while maintaining the integrity of this ancient Japanese beverage.
For traditional preparation, Twinings recommends placing 1g of matcha powder in a bowl, adding 70ml of boiled water cooled to between 70°C-80°C, and mixing in a W motion with a bamboo whisk. This method honors the traditional chanoyu (tea ceremony) preparation while making it accessible to home practitioners.
The matcha contains higher caffeine content compared to regular green tea, though the presence of L-theanine helps mitigate stimulating effects, promoting a calm, focused state. This unique amino acid profile distinguishes quality matcha from other caffeinated beverages, offering sustained energy without the typical crash associated with coffee.
History of Twinings
Twinings stands as Britain’s most enduring tea institution, with roots that stretch back over three centuries. The story begins not with tea, but with the Twining family of Gloucestershire, where they worked as weavers and fulling millers before destiny called them to London.
In 1706, Thomas Twining made a bold decision that would reshape British tea culture forever. He transformed a humble coffee shop into what would become a tea empire, establishing Britain’s first known tea room at No. 216 Strand, London – a historic location that remarkably still operates today as the brand’s flagship store.
The company’s visual identity became legendary when the iconic Twinings logo was created in 1787, earning the distinction of being the world’s oldest corporate logo in continuous use. This remarkable achievement speaks to the brand’s unwavering commitment to tradition and consistency across generations.
Twinings’ innovation in tea blending reached new heights in 1831 when they claimed to have invented Earl Grey tea, a blend that would become synonymous with British tea culture. The brand’s prestige was further cemented through their Royal Warrant, establishing them as purveyors to the British monarchy.
Today, Twinings operates under Associated British Foods, a global food and beverage conglomerate, while maintaining their commitment to quality sourcing. Their matcha journey represents a modern chapter in this historic tale, with ceremonial grade organic matcha powder sourced directly from family farms in Kagoshima and Shizuoka, Japan.
The brand’s matcha offerings feature a vibrant lime green color with complex flavor notes characterized by fresh, grassy notes and a subtle savory finish. This represents Twinings’ adaptation to contemporary tastes while honoring traditional Japanese matcha (抹茶) production methods.
4 events from Twinings's history
January 1706
Foundation of Britain's First Tea Room
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 1787
Creation of the World's Oldest Corporate Logo
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 1831
Invention of Earl Grey Tea
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 2020
Launch of Japanese Matcha Collection
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.
Gallery and medias
Find below images and videos uploaded by Twinings as of November 2025.
Frequent questions
Find below some answers to the most common questions about Twinings.
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.
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