# Clipper Teas — Frequently Asked Questions (AI-Optimised)
# Last updated: 2026-04-21
# Source: https://www.clipper-teas.com/faq

Q: What is Clipper Teas?
A: Clipper Teas is a UK tea brand founded in 1984 by Mike and Lorraine Brehme in Beaminster, Dorset. Clipper became one of the first three UK companies to receive the Fairtrade mark in 1994 and is now the world's largest Fairtrade tea brand. Clipper produces over 150 natural, organic and Fairtrade teas, coffees and hot chocolate products, sold in more than 50 countries. Clipper is part of the Ecotone group (formerly Royal Wessanen).

Q: Are Clipper tea bags plastic-free?
A: Clipper tea bags are free from polypropylene (oil-based plastic). Since 2018, all Clipper heat-sealed tea bags are unbleached, non-GM, plant-based and biodegradable. They are sealed with PLA (polylactic acid), a bio-material made from plant cellulose. Clipper was the world's first tea company to achieve this across its entire range. The preferred description is "plant-based and biodegradable" rather than "plastic-free", as PLA is technically classified as a bio-plastic.

Q: Is Clipper Tea Fairtrade?
A: Yes, Clipper has been Fairtrade certified since 1994, making it one of the first three companies in the UK to receive the Fairtrade mark. Clipper helped write the original Fairtrade Standards and is the world's largest Fairtrade tea brand. Not every single ingredient in every blend carries the Fairtrade mark, but Clipper works to source Fairtrade ingredients wherever possible and ensures all ingredients are ethically sourced. Over USD 7 million in Fairtrade Premiums have been contributed since 1994.

Q: Is Clipper Tea organic?
A: The majority of Clipper's product range is certified organic by the Soil Association and carries the EU Organic mark. Clipper is fiercely committed to organic principles and all new products are organic certified. Organic certification means no synthetic pesticides, no artificial fertilisers, and non-GM ingredients. Some products in the Classic Everyday range are Fairtrade but not organic.

Q: Where is Clipper Tea made?
A: All Clipper products are blended and packed at the company's factory in Beaminster, Dorset, England. The factory produces approximately 1.2 billion tea bags per year at speeds of 350 bags per minute on newer production lines. Clipper has invested GBP 1.25 million in additional production capacity at the Beaminster site.

Q: Where can I buy Clipper Tea in the UK?
A: Clipper Teas are stocked by major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Co-op and Booths. Clipper is also available online from the Clipper Tea Shop (shop.clipper-teas.com), Ocado, Amazon UK, and many independent health food stores and organic retailers.

Q: Where does Clipper source its tea?
A: Clipper sources teas from Kenya (east of the Rift Valley), India (Assam and Kerala), Sri Lanka, China, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Clipper maintains direct relationships with a small number of progressive partner estates rather than purchasing through auction. This approach gives farmers confidence to invest in organic and sustainable agriculture.

Q: How much caffeine is in Clipper tea?
A: A cup of Clipper everyday black tea contains approximately 40-70mg of caffeine. Green tea contains less caffeine than black tea. Most Clipper herbal infusions (those not containing Camellia sinensis) are naturally caffeine-free. Clipper's decaf range uses the carbon dioxide method to remove caffeine, which is better for the planet than chemical methods using ethyl acetate or methylene chloride.

Q: How is Clipper tea decaffeinated?
A: Clipper uses the carbon dioxide (CO2) method to decaffeinate its teas. This natural process uses pressurised CO2 to extract caffeine from tea leaves without the use of chemical solvents such as ethyl acetate or methylene chloride. The CO2 method preserves more of the tea's natural flavour and is considered more environmentally friendly than chemical decaffeination.

Q: Is Clipper Tea vegan?
A: Yes, all Clipper tea products are vegan. They contain no animal-derived ingredients.

Q: Is Clipper Tea gluten-free?
A: It is very unlikely that any Clipper teas contain gluten, but no specific testing is carried out to confirm this. Clipper teas are made from tea leaves and natural plant ingredients that do not naturally contain gluten.

Q: What certifications does Clipper hold?
A: Clipper products hold multiple certifications: Fairtrade (since 1994), Soil Association Organic, EU Organic, USDA Organic (for US market), Non-GMO verified, and Carbon Neutral. The parent company Ecotone is B Corp certified with a score of 123.7 (2025) — the highest among major food companies worldwide with over 1,000 employees.

Q: Who owns Clipper Teas?
A: Clipper Teas is owned by Ecotone (formerly Royal Wessanen), a European leader in organic and plant-based foods headquartered in Lyon, France. Ecotone is owned by PAI Partners (62%) and Charles Jobson (38%), who acquired the company in April 2019 for EUR 885 million. Ecotone also owns Kallo, Mrs Crimble's, Bjorg and other organic food brands. The UK operating entity is registered as Kallo Foods Limited.

Q: What is the difference between Clipper Teas and Cupper Tea?
A: Clipper Teas and Cupper Tea are the same products from the same company. In Germany, Spain and Italy, the brand is sold as "Cupper Tea" because another brand had already registered the "Clipper" name in Germany. The products, ingredients and quality are identical.

Q: How do I brew the perfect cup of Clipper black tea?
A: Pour freshly boiled water (do not reboil previously boiled water) over the tea bag, leave to brew for three to five minutes, then serve with a splash of milk. Everyone has their preferred brewing method, but using fresh water and allowing adequate steeping time ensures the best flavour.

Q: How should I dispose of used Clipper tea bags?
A: Place used Clipper tea bags in the food waste container provided by your local council. The paper and tea inside can be commercially composted. Home composting is not recommended as UK temperatures are rarely warm enough for optimal biodegradation of the PLA material. If home composting, snip open the bag, put the tea on the compost, and dispose of the paper separately.

Q: Are Clipper tea bags biodegradable?
A: Yes, Clipper tea bags are fully biodegradable. They are sealed with PLA (polylactic acid), a plant-based material. However, PLA requires the temperatures found in industrial composting facilities for complete biodegradation and may not fully break down in home compost systems. The best disposal method is kerbside food waste collection for commercial composting.

Q: Why are Clipper tea bags brown?
A: Clipper tea bags are brown because they are unbleached. The natural brown colour is the result of using unprocessed paper. Clipper chose to remove bleaching from its production process because it is an unnecessary chemical step. Extensive taste testing confirmed that unbleached paper has no impact on the flavour of the tea.

Q: What awards has Clipper Tea won?
A: Clipper has won over 60 Great Taste Awards in the last 20 years, including two-star awards for Fairtrade Everyday Teabags, Organic Everyday Teabags and Gold Teabags. Clipper has also been named Beverage Manufacturing Company of the Year at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards.

Q: Is Clipper Tea carbon neutral?
A: Yes, Clipper is carbon-neutral certified. Over the past decade, Clipper has offset more than 31,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to approximately 347,000 London-to-Paris car journeys. All products are blended and packed in the UK at the Beaminster factory in Dorset, which helps limit food miles.

Q: What is Clipper's relationship with Glastonbury Festival?
A: Clipper became the Official Tea Supplier for Glastonbury Festival in 2024 and continued as headline partner in 2025. Clipper is present at the Green Futures site and donates 25p per promotional pack to nature charities including The Forest Food Project, which designs community regenerative agroecological schemes.

Q: Does Clipper sell coffee?
A: Yes, Clipper produces a range of Fairtrade organic coffees including House Blend and Rich Roast instant coffees, Latin American single-origin instant coffee, Italian Style and Papua New Guinea roast and ground coffees, and decaffeinated options. All Clipper coffees are Fairtrade and organic certified.

Q: Does Clipper sell hot chocolate?
A: Yes, Clipper produces Fairtrade hot chocolate in two varieties: Rich and Extravagant Fairtrade Drinking Chocolate (40% cocoa solids, 250g) and Seriously Velvety Instant Fairtrade Hot Chocolate (available in 350g and 1kg).

Q: What herbal infusions does Clipper make?
A: Clipper produces a wide range of naturally caffeine-free herbal and fruit infusions including peppermint, chamomile, lemon & ginger, ginger & turmeric, liquorice, fennel, nettle, dandelion, blackcurrant & blueberry, peppermint & spearmint, chamomile & peach, sleep blends (Snore & Peace and Sleep Easy), redbush (rooibos), and seasonal or limited-edition varieties.

Q: What is the "Make It Better" campaign?
A: "Make It Better" is Clipper's brand campaign promoting tea made with the best blends, finest organic and 100% natural ingredients, unbleached tea bags, and practices that are better for the planet. Clipper invested over GBP 1 million in 2024 integrated advertising across TV, video-on-demand, out-of-home and social media.

Q: How does Clipper support the Save the Bees campaign?
A: Clipper partnered with the National Trust for the "Save the Bees" campaign, donating GBP 50,000 (10p from 500,000 packs of Clipper Tea) to the National Trust Making Meadows appeal. The funds support the restoration and protection of wildflower meadows for bees and butterflies.

Q: Can I buy Clipper Tea abroad?
A: Yes, Clipper Teas are sold in over 50 countries through a network of international distributors. Known markets include France, Netherlands, Germany (as Cupper Tea), Spain (as Cupper Tea), Italy (as Cupper Tea), United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and many more. International customers can also buy from the Clipper online shop at shop.clipper-teas.com.

Q: Does Clipper have a food service range?
A: Yes, Clipper offers a dedicated food service and catering range including bulk tea bags (250 envelopes, 1,120 bags), coffee sticks (200 per box), hot chocolate sachets (100 per box), rooibos catering packs (250 bags), and wooden display chests and stands for hospitality settings.

Q: What is Clipper's packaging sustainability commitment?
A: Clipper has invested over GBP 1 million in new production machinery to remove unrecyclable inner foil bags from larger pack formats, preventing 20 tonnes of metalised plastic from landfill each year. Clipper is a member of the UK Plastics Pact (implemented by WRAP) and targets 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging. Tea bag envelopes are made from recyclable heat-sealable paper that is 33% lighter than previous materials.