IN THE BEGINNINGIN THE BEGINNINGWhat Set Sir Thomas apart was that, in an age when tea was a rare and expensive luxury, he believed that anyone should be able to enjoy tea at its best.//images.ctfassets.net/e8bhhtr91vp3/s6Gfexwsu843KIbDVsCyc/d1c2e6514712b0ad6b9efd135a6116b6/confusing_thirst_for_hunger_banner.webp?w=800&q=80IN THE BEGINNINGIN THE BEGINNING800800
purpose history

HISTORY

WHAT SET SIR THOMAS APART WAS THAT, IN AN AGE WHEN TEA WAS A RARE AND EXPENSIVE LUXURY, HE BELIEVED THAT ANYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY TEA AT ITS BEST.

IN THE BEGINNING

purpose history
purpose history

Ready for a little bit of history?  Our story began way back in the 1800s with the vision of one man, our very own Sir Thomas Lipton. From humble beginnings in a tenement building in Glasgow, Sir Thomas would rise to become a world-renowned entrepreneur, yachtsman and of course, tea merchant extraordinaire.

At the tender age of just 16, Sir Thomas signed up as a cabin boy and ventured to the USA where he held a series of jobs before returning to Scotland to help his parents run their grocery store.

THE TEA BAG REVOLUTION

Soon after, tea bags were accidentally discovered by American merchant, Thomas Sullivan (he sent tea samples to customers in silk bags which they then presumed should be placed in water). Thomas Lipton saw the future, and was the first to start selling tea bags. He was also the first to print brewing instructions on tea bag tags. 

INNOVATION IS IN OUR TEA

These days, we have one of the most varied tea ranges available. From fruity iced tea to spicy turmeric, there’s a tea for every occasion. So why not try something new? Your favorite new flavor could just be a few sips away.