Stephen Twining shares the art of making the perfect cup of tea

Associated British Foods Philippines (ABF), manufacturer of hot beverages like Ovaltine Choco Malt drink and Twinings speciality teas, recently welcomed to Manila, Stephen H.B. Twining, 10th generation member of the famed tea family. During his four-day visit, Twining educated various audiences like ABF employees, trade partners, members of the food service industry and local media about Twinings speciality teas and shared the art of making the perfect cup of English tea. A special dinner with select members of Manila’s social and business elite also gathered to welcome him during a special dinner hosted by His Excellency Mr. Peter Beckingham, British Ambassador to the Philippines. 

Twinings is the world-famous English tea brand with 21 speciality tea blends in the Philippines, including the popular English Breakfast and Earl Grey teas. With over 200 blends enjoyed in 115 countries, Twinings has a wide selection of classic and flavoured black teas, refreshing green teas and contemporary fruit and herbal infusions perfect for every palate, for every mood, and for every occasion.

“No one knows tea better than Twinings. We are tremendously delighted to have this rare chance to appreciate the fine art of making and enjoying tea from no less than a descendant of the Twining family, . Stephen Twining,” says Florence Henry, General Manager of ABF.

Stephen Twining’s love affair with tea began when he was only eight years old, when he gave his very first tea tasting to his peers. In 1985, only 22 years old, he started his career at Twinings, and held a variety of jobs in sales. Later, Stephen travelled the world to learn the tea industry, enabling him to experience first hand the ins and outs of one of the most fascinating products in the world. Eventually, as a tenth generation member of the tea family, Stephen transferred to head office in Andover where he is currently the director of corporate relations.

During his visit to Manila, Twining shared his passion for the brew and the fascinating story of the renowned Twinings tea business. As a tea expert and self-confessed tea lover who drinks at least nine cups a day, he also discussed lengthily how teas are made, from how the tenderest tea leaves are plucked, dried and blended; and how the finest blended teas could make sophisticated gatherings or relaxing personal moments extra special.

300 Years of Royal Tea Experience for All

Twinings was one of the very first companies to introduce tea drinking to the British when, in 1706, Thomas Twining broke with the ale-drinking British tradition, and started selling tea from his newly purchased premises in London.

Twinings soon became so popular among the elite tea drinkers including the royal family such that in 1837, Queen Victoria had appointed it as the official supplier of teas to her household; and it has had the honour of supplying every successive British Monarch ever since. (Today, Twinings hold Royal Warrants of Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen, Her Majesty The Queen Mother, and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.)

In 2006, when Twinings marked its 300th anniversary, it renewed its strong commitment to bring the best teas for everyone to enjoy. As Stephen Twining often says: “The Twinings philosophy is simple – to be totally committed to producing the highest quality teas and making them accessible to everyone.”

The Finest from Leaf to Cup

Twinings remains the pioneering standard in tea blending. At Twinings’ Head Office in England, expert blenders select teas from various tea estates to arrive at the exact flavor for a particular blend.

A tea blender’s skill is so unique; only nine people at Twinings are responsible for buying, blending and quality control of all the products. It takes a minimum of five years to train to become a master, going through the same old-fashioned process of 300 years ago. Many more years are dedicated for training on how tea is grown and marketed; the different types of tea, color, appearance and quality; and, countless tasting sessions to refine one’s sensory awareness. And finally, recipes are mastered, handed from one expert to the next generation, with some blends including as many as 40 different teas from different tea estates! So much depends on the skill of the tea blender to maximize the quality of each leaf and produce consistently superb tasting tea.

Each time consumers prepare their perfect cup of Twinings tea from any of the brand’s four categories – Black Tea, Flavoured Black Tea, Green Tea or Infusions – each tea bag has the approval of the master blender who guarantees that it has just the right the flavor, color, aroma and even “weight” of the tea in the mouth.

• Classic Black Teas are traditional style black teas blended for exceptional flavor, such as the world-famous Earl Grey and English Breakfast blends.

• Flavored Black Teas are a delicious range of black teas carefully blended with fruit flavours and spices for a rich aromatic tea. Twinings favorite blends include Four Red Fruits, Passion Fruit, Mango & Orange, Apple, Cinnamon & Raisin, Peach, and Lemon.

• Green Teas are a light, delicate way to refresh and hydrate the body giving the feeling of invigoration. Some of Twinings most popular Green Tea (GT) blends are GT and Lemon, GT and Mint, Jasmine GT, GT and Apple, Earl Grey GT, GT and Orange, and Pure Green Tea.

•Delicious alternatives to the regular tea are the Fruit and Herbal Infusions, as they are naturally caffeine-free and low in calories. The delicious range of traditional herbal infusions includes Peppermint, Raspberry & Echinacea, Strawberry & Mango, Lemon Twist, Lemon & Ginger, and Chamomile.  

“For over 300 years, Twinings has influenced social tea drinking as it continues to be the leader in the business,” says Stephen Twining. “Our promise to deliver premium quality tea and innovative products drive our leadership worldwide.”

Stephen Twining says that of all types of beverage, “tea is a drink of very personal choice.”

“Not only is there a full range of tea blends to give the customer a variety of options, how each one is prepared and taken differs from one person to another. Contemporary English in image and superior in flavours, aroma and colour, Twinings enhances those moments that matter to consumers every day. This is how the brand has been able to succeed in its first 300 years,” Twining explains.

First? “Yes, of course,” says Twining. “We intend to be around for 300 years more, at the very minimum.”