Our History
We proudly present every significant pioneering move of Twinings from then till now.
We proudly present every significant pioneering
move of Twinings from then till now.
move of Twinings from then till now.
Year 2737 BC.
2737 years before the Christian era, the first cup of tea was discovered.
According to the ancient Chinese history, tea was discovered for the first time by Shen "Nung" Emperor of the Chinese Dynasty. He was rather surprised than angry when knowing that the drink given to him by his subjects was having brown color and gave out a sweet smell as some leaves accidentally fell into the boiling pot. After drinking that water, he found that the boiling water had remarkable taste and yet made him feel glowing with health and radiating vitality. From that time on, tea has become familiar and very popular among the Chinese in China.
However, there was another story said that Bodhitham, who at that time was so drowsy and hardly able to keep his eyes open, sliced off his eyelids and threw away. Later, his sliced eyelids thrown away by him became a bush of grown plant and that was the origin of the first tea plant. According to the ancient Chinese history, tea was discovered for the first time by Shen "Nung" Emperor of the Chinese Dynasty. He was rather surprised than angry when knowing that the drink given to him by his subjects was having brown color and gave out a sweet smell as some leaves accidentally fell into the boiling pot. After drinking that water, he found that the boiling water had remarkable taste and yet made him feel glowing with health and radiating vitality. From that time on, tea has become familiar and very popular among the Chinese in China.
However, there was another story said that Bodhitham, who at that time was so drowsy and hardly able to keep his eyes open, sliced off his eyelids and threw away. Later, his sliced eyelids thrown away by him became a bush of grown plant and that was the origin of the first tea plant.
However, there was another story said that Bodhitham, who at that time was so drowsy and hardly able to keep his eyes open, sliced off his eyelids and threw away. Later, his sliced eyelids thrown away by him became a bush of grown plant and that was the origin of the first tea plant. According to the ancient Chinese history, tea was discovered for the first time by Shen "Nung" Emperor of the Chinese Dynasty. He was rather surprised than angry when knowing that the drink given to him by his subjects was having brown color and gave out a sweet smell as some leaves accidentally fell into the boiling pot. After drinking that water, he found that the boiling water had remarkable taste and yet made him feel glowing with health and radiating vitality. From that time on, tea has become familiar and very popular among the Chinese in China.
However, there was another story said that Bodhitham, who at that time was so drowsy and hardly able to keep his eyes open, sliced off his eyelids and threw away. Later, his sliced eyelids thrown away by him became a bush of grown plant and that was the origin of the first tea plant.
1615
In 1615, tea arrived in England for the first time.
The first lot of tea was imported to England by the introduction of Dutch East India Co., Ltd. under the royal approval of Queen Elizabeth the First. However, it was Catherine of Braganza, Queen of English King Charles II, who made tea-drinking a fashionable activity for the affluent at that time. In 1662, she brought in the tea from her home country of Portugal to England. She invited friends to join her for tea parties and had social gatherings in private at the Royal Court.
Not long after that, tea-drinking culture became widespread and popular in England. The first lot of tea was imported to England by the introduction of Dutch East India Co., Ltd. under the royal approval of Queen Elizabeth the First. However, it was Catherine of Braganza, Queen of English King Charles II, who made tea-drinking a fashionable activity for the affluent at that time. In 1662, she brought in the tea from her home country of Portugal to England. She invited friends to join her for tea parties and had social gatherings in private at the Royal Court.
Not long after that, tea-drinking culture became widespread and popular in England.
Not long after that, tea-drinking culture became widespread and popular in England. The first lot of tea was imported to England by the introduction of Dutch East India Co., Ltd. under the royal approval of Queen Elizabeth the First. However, it was Catherine of Braganza, Queen of English King Charles II, who made tea-drinking a fashionable activity for the affluent at that time. In 1662, she brought in the tea from her home country of Portugal to England. She invited friends to join her for tea parties and had social gatherings in private at the Royal Court.
Not long after that, tea-drinking culture became widespread and popular in England.
Year 1701
Thomas Twining plans to start his own tea import business
After successfully working with an East Indian Company merchant Thomas D'Aeth and gaining expertise in importing teas from all over the world, Thomas Twining, only 26 years of age, plans to start his own tea import business
Year 1706
Thomas Twining opens the first Twinings shop at
The Strand, London
The Strand, London
In 1706, Thomas Twining acquires Tom's Coffee House business at
The Strand, London, which is the origin of Twinings, world-acclaimed
tea with more than 300 years of history. One of the key reasons why
the Twinings shop became successful was its location. The shop was
situated between London and Westminster- a favorite area for the elites
to have their leisure or business activities.It is also a place for a variety
of assemblies: those who share something in common e.g. poets, soldiers and other groups.
At Tom’s Coffee House, tea was the competitive edge compared to other coffee houses. Because of high import taxes, tea became the drink of the aristocracy.
Word spread around that Tom’s Coffee House had the best tea. High society women all wanted to serve his tea in their drawing rooms. Since coffee shops were for men only, the society women will wait outside their carriages and have their footmen buy the tea. In 1706. Thomas Twining acquires Tom's Coffee House business at The Strand, London, which is the origin of Twinings, world-acclaimed tea with more than 300 years of history. One of the key reasons why the Twinings shop became successful was its location. The shop wassituated between London and Westminster- a favorite area for the elites to have their leisure or business activities. It is also a place for a variety of assemblies: those who share something in common e.g. poets, soldiers and other groups.
At Tom’s Coffee House, tea was the competitive edge compared to other coffee houses. Because of high import taxes, tea became the drink of the aristocracy.
Word spread around that Tom’s Coffee House had the best tea. High society women all wanted to serve his tea in their drawing rooms. Since coffee shops were for men only, the society women will wait outside their carriages and have their footmen buy the tea.
The Strand, London, which is the origin of Twinings, world-acclaimed
tea with more than 300 years of history. One of the key reasons why
the Twinings shop became successful was its location. The shop was
situated between London and Westminster- a favorite area for the elites
to have their leisure or business activities.It is also a place for a variety
of assemblies: those who share something in common e.g. poets, soldiers and other groups.
At Tom’s Coffee House, tea was the competitive edge compared to other coffee houses. Because of high import taxes, tea became the drink of the aristocracy.
Word spread around that Tom’s Coffee House had the best tea. High society women all wanted to serve his tea in their drawing rooms. Since coffee shops were for men only, the society women will wait outside their carriages and have their footmen buy the tea. In 1706. Thomas Twining acquires Tom's Coffee House business at The Strand, London, which is the origin of Twinings, world-acclaimed tea with more than 300 years of history. One of the key reasons why the Twinings shop became successful was its location. The shop wassituated between London and Westminster- a favorite area for the elites to have their leisure or business activities. It is also a place for a variety of assemblies: those who share something in common e.g. poets, soldiers and other groups.
At Tom’s Coffee House, tea was the competitive edge compared to other coffee houses. Because of high import taxes, tea became the drink of the aristocracy.
Word spread around that Tom’s Coffee House had the best tea. High society women all wanted to serve his tea in their drawing rooms. Since coffee shops were for men only, the society women will wait outside their carriages and have their footmen buy the tea.
Year 1749
Twinings to export for the first time
In 1749, Daniel, son of Thomas, exports for the first time to America. The Boston Governor was a customer.
Year 1784
Successful reduction of tea taxes
Richard Twining successfully encourages reduction of tea taxes, ingraining tea drinking culture in British society from then on.
Year 1787
Twinings designs the first logo
Twinings chooses its logo. Today, it is the oldest commercial logo that has been in continuous use since it was made.
Year 1837
An official Royal Warrant holder
Twinings is selected as the tea to the British Monarchy when it was granted the Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria In 1837. From that time until the present day, Twinings has supplied every British Monarch.
Year 1904
Twinings starts business in France
Twinings starts business in France with the first shop in Paris in 1910
Year 1933
Twinings blends the first English Breakfast recipe
Twinings first blends its famous English Breakfast and also blends Irish Breakfast and Ceylon recipes.
Year 1940
Twinings in the Wartime
Twinings, during the World War II, supplies tea to British army as well as the Red Cross, Women's Voluntary Service and YMCA
Year 1956
In 1956, Twinings produces teabags for
the first time
the first time
After tea has become very popular in England and the rest of
the world, tea in new forms and designs began to be made.
The tea bag was a new format produced by Twinings in 1956.
the world, tea in new forms and designs began to be made.
The tea bag was a new format produced by Twinings in 1956.
Year 1964
Associated British Food & Beverages runs Twinings
Twinings, under the management of AB Food & Beverages, becomes the world-famous, premium brand that is globally well-received in over 115 countries.
Year 1972
An Award for Twinings
Twinings is the first tea company to win the coveted Queen's Award For Export.
1980s
Twinings meets demand for decaffeinated tea and iced teas
Twinings continues to innovate and explore other forms & formats in the form of decaffeinated variants and iced teas
Year 1996
Twinings First Organic Tea is Released
Twinings comes up with its first organic tea
Year 2006
Twinings 300 years of Tea Expertise and Tea Blending
Twinings celebrates 300 years of blending fine-quality teas
Year 2011
2011 The Royal Wedding Commemorative Blend
Twinings prepared a special tea to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Princess Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
The Future
Twinings Commitment
Just as Thomas Twining in 1706 was one of the first to recognize the potential of tea – Twinings remains at the forefront of the tea industry, driving innovation & leading quality around the world.