BEHIND THE CRAFT
image

The Right Type of Bag

It was a happy accident when the customers of American Thomas Sullivan, mistakenly started to brew the tea they received still in the sample bags. The tea bag was born and it was Liptons who took the teabag to the masses in the 1950s.

As tea connoisseurs, we love quality loose leaf tea - but for convenience, speed and consistency, there is much to be said for a quality teabag, which requires both a high-quality blend of tea and use of the right type of bag.

Our teabags are doubled-chambered affording more space for the tea to brew than the regular teabag. Because each double-chamber teabag is created by folding rather than ‘gluing’, the paper is 100% biodegradable and contains no plastic. Automatically tied shut with cotton, faster than the eye can see, it is finished by wrapping in an individual sachet sleeve for protection.

FSTE12302

The East India House Director’s Blend Black Tea Sachet 1x2g

Net Weight: 2g

A lively and fresh house blend to indulge in. Ceylon lends its aroma, Kenya the colour and the Assam a rich body. Indulge in this opulent blend any time of the day.

The East India Company - Lifestyle

Tea

-
+
£0.40
This is our Signature black tea blend of teas from the big three black tea origins: India, Sri Lanka and Kenya.

Named after the Director's of the East India Company who set up the famous 'By the Candle' auctions in commodities including tea, held at East India House, which is shown on the front of pack.

They would keep some of the best tea for themselves to drink in their Board meetings. This fine blend is a nod to their expertise and foresight.
The Kenyan tea bring a lovely brightness of colour to the cup.

The Ceylon tea brings a fragrant aroma.

And the Assam tea's job is to bring structure and body to the blend.

Overall, an opulent by well-balanced blend thanks to the 30 years of blending experience of Lalith Lenadora, Tea Master at The East India Company.
Drink with breakfast, when a satisfying cup is needed to set up the day.

A good elevenses cup too, with a Sea Salt and Caramel Biscuit.
Quantity

1 SACHET PER CUP

Temperature

200ML OF WATER AT 100ºC

Brewing Time

3-4 MINS BREWING TIME

Ingredients

Black Tea

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place avoiding direct sunlight and strong odours.

Stories

Tea sold "By the Candle"

The Romans and Chinese were making candles more than two millennia ago – candles have come a long way from being just sources of light made from animal fat or beeswax, to the scented and decorative items that bring comfort and ambience to a room today.

Would you guess that there is a surprising connection to share between candles, tea and The East India Company?

The very first tea auction was held in 1679, at the headquarters of The East India Company on Leadenhall Street, London. At the time, the Company held the monopoly of tea and other imported goods from China and India and when their ships returned heavily laded to London, there was an an auction every quarter.
Tea was sold 'by the candle'.

The auction was a riotous, noisy affair. One tea dealer said “a Tea sale appears to be a mere arena in which the comparative strength of the lungs of a portion of His Majesty´s subjects are to be tried”.

To bring some order to the chaos, a candle was lit at the beginning of the sale of each tea lot, and when one inch of the candle had disappeared the auctioneer dropped the hammer and the sale was complete.

Incredibly, this London Tea Auction as it became in the 18th century, lasted 300 years until last sale in 1998.

Candles are now often scented with tea. But once upon a time, they were used to sell tea.

Our spirit delivers no ordinary products

  • FAQ

    Does this tea contain caffeine and is there more or less than in coffee?
    Yes, all tea like coffee, contains caffeine. The amount in both teas and coffees does vary, depending on the type, but typically Sri Lankan black tea is lighter than other teas in caffeine content, usually between 50 and 90mg for a normally brewed 230ml serving. This compares to about 95mg for a normal cup of coffee. The best advice is to treat tea and coffee similarly if you need to manage your caffeine intake.

    I’ve heard that tea contains theanine. What is it and what does it do?
    Tea does indeed contain theanine, which is an amino acid [the building blocks of proteins]. Tea is one of only a few sources of theanine. It represents about 1% of dry weight and is at its highest concentrate in shade-grown teas like matcha and gyokuro. Whilst not yet proven in scientific studies that would permit specific health claims to be made, it is believed by many to be able to reduce mental and physical stress, promote relaxation and a sense of well-being. But not only that, it is more recently being thought to aid cognitive function. It’s one explanation for tea’s famous ability to create calm in a crisis [the Great British solution to all problems – ‘putting the kettle on’] and to stimulate when a little boost is required.

  • Delivery & Returns

    UK Standard Delivery: £3.95
    UK Next Day Delivery (mainland UK only): £9.95 (Order before 12pm)
    International Delivery is available, please see our delivery page for details. For more information and Terms & Conditions, please see our Delivery page.

  • Reviews

The East India House Director’s Blend Black Tea Sachet 1x2g

£0.40 Sold out
£49.40 £49.40