About us

Born in New Zealand and brought up on a farm on the west coast of the North Island near a small town called Dargaville, my early life didn’t cross paths with tea at all. Perhaps once when I ordered a McDonalds breakfast and a tea came with it which was quickly dispatched into one of their plants.

My parents drank tea but never really tempted me to try it, probably thinking that if they didn’t, then they wouldn’t have to make me one when they wanted one.

I came to the UK in September of 1999 looking to make money and enjoy my big OE (overseas experience in New Zealand language).

I found myself working on an estate working in the gardens. On finding out that I was an accountant in NZ, the owner brought me into the office to help out with his small tea company.

This was the beginning of my passion with tea. I guess that going straight to trying high quality leaf teas every day made it all the more difficult not to enjoy tea. I guess I haven’t really had the nasty bitter experiences from trying green tea from teabags that most people have had.

Working in the tea company for 7 or more years opened my eyes to the wonderful plant that is tea and I count myself as being fortunate enough to have bosses who taught me a lot, not only about tea but business as well. I remember my boss telling me that one day you will be able to run your own business from working here because you will learn every aspect of it.

And so begins my entry into the world of tea business with this tea site. I want to be able to bring to you as a customer, the types of teas that I have been lucky to enjoy. I want to share with you my knowledge and hopefully learn at the same time from your experiences with tea. I know there is still a lot that I have to learn about tea, but it will make it easier if I have someone to share it with along the way.

– Elton