Trader of the week: Cheshire Tea
It all began as a humble school project on tea in the little market town of Macclesfield… Back then, little did Phil Paton know that his idea would blossom into the incredibly popular Cheshire Tea Company. Phil works with his best friend Paul Whelan to create this unique company dedicated to bringing the perfect brew to the people of Britain. If the first thing you reach for in the morning is your kettle and some teabags, then it’s about time you join the Cheshire Tea Company’s ranks of fervent fans – if it’s good enough to make The Hairy Bikers swap their PG tips, it’s good enough for you.
The effort that Phil and Paul put into sourcing their ingredients means that their product range is full of flavours and wonderful colours. Their rustic stand is beautiful and really stands out – the teas are on offer in a collection of intriguing little vials. It’s no wonder that tea lovers often feel like a child in a sweet shop when faced with the choice.
Phil and Paul’s unwavering passion for finding the perfect tea has inspired them to source some exotic ingredients. They spent a rather enviable few months tasting and testing an array of different teas, and they fully understand the importance of sourcing produce in its prime. Their lemon and ginger blend is made with premium Ceylon grown in the upper regions of Sri Lanka, while the Jasmine Blossom Green Tea is picked in China during the peak season of May, when the aroma is most intense.
Sourcing the finest teas isn’t all just about taste for Phil and Paul, though. They also put a lot of emphasis on fair trade, so their suppliers are all members of the Ethical Tea Partnership.
All of their hard work has certainly paid off – as of last summer, the Cheshire Tea Company is no longer a new trader on the block. They’ve now been awarded three stars at the Great Taste Awards in 2015 for their Mint Chocolate Rooibos; it’s the highest accolade possible so proves that they know their stuff. Their ultimate mission is ‘to bring exceptional tea to every palate in Great Britain’ – we Brits are seriously lucky. Over 165 million cups of tea are drunk every day in Britain; if you’re contributing to those numbers, it’s time to switch to the Cheshire Tea Company. You’ll be able to find them next at the Derbyshire Food & Drink Festival, Sandbach Christmas Market and Harrogate Foodies Festival. In the meantime, head to their online shop and prepare to sit back with the finest cuppa in Britain.
