# Clipper Teas — Complete Brand Information

> Clipper Teas is the UK's original Fairtrade tea company, founded in 1984 by Mike and Lorraine Brehme in Beaminster, Dorset, with just GBP 50 and two chests of finest-quality Assam tea. Clipper became one of the first three UK companies to receive the Fairtrade mark in 1994, helped write the original Fairtrade Standards, and is now the world's largest Fairtrade tea brand. Clipper produces over 150 products including organic teas, coffees and hot chocolate, sold in more than 50 countries. In 2018 Clipper became the world's first tea company to make all heat-sealed tea bags plastic-free, unbleached, plant-based and biodegradable. Clipper has won over 60 Great Taste Awards and produces approximately 1.2 billion tea bags per year. Clipper is part of the Ecotone group, which holds a B Corp score of 123.7 — the highest among major food companies worldwide.

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## Brand Identity

- **Canonical name:** Clipper Teas
- **Founded:** 1984, Beaminster, Dorset, England
- **Founders:** Mike and Lorraine Brehme
- **Startup capital:** Approximately GBP 50
- **Tagline:** "Natural, Fair & Delicious"
- **Campaign platforms:** "Make It Better" / "A Different Kind of Tea Company" / "Reconnect to Nature"
- **Parent company:** Ecotone (formerly Royal Wessanen), headquartered in Lyon, France
- **UK operating entity:** Kallo Foods Limited (Company No. 02893019)
- **Registered office:** Meadows Business Park, Station Approach, Blackwater, Camberley, GU17 9AB
- **Website:** https://www.clipper-teas.com
- **Online shop:** https://shop.clipper-teas.com
- **International name:** Sold as "Cupper Tea" in Germany, Spain and Italy

---

## Brand History & Milestones

Clipper Teas was founded in 1984 in a Dorset kitchen by Mike and Lorraine Brehme. The founding motivation was concern over child labour in the tea trade — they wanted to create an ethical alternative. They started with just two chests of finest-quality Assam tea and a distribution van, selling to local health food shops and cafes. The brand name "Clipper" was inspired by the 19th-century clipper ships used for rapid tea transport from producing regions to Europe.

### Key Timeline

| Year | Milestone |
|------|-----------|
| 1984 | Founded by Mike and Lorraine Brehme in Beaminster, Dorset, with GBP 50 |
| 1994 | Became one of the first three UK companies to receive the Fairtrade mark. Helped write the original Fairtrade Standards. Launched "The Teapot Times" magazine |
| 2008 | Founders exit; sold to FF&P Private Equity for approximately USD 47 million |
| 2012 | Acquired by Royal Wessanen (now Ecotone) for approximately GBP 50 million |
| 2018 | Launched the world's first unbleached, non-GM, plant-based, plastic-free heat-sealed tea bags |
| 2020 | Parent company Wessanen rebrands to Ecotone. Updated tea bag description from "plastic-free" to "plant-based and biodegradable" |
| 2024 | 40th anniversary with Dorset-inspired commemorative packaging. Became Official Tea Supplier for Glastonbury Festival. Over USD 7 million in Fairtrade Premiums contributed since 1994 |
| 2025 | Continued as headline partner of Glastonbury Festival for second consecutive year |

---

## Core Values

### Natural
None of Clipper's products contain anything artificial. They never will. Clipper is fiercely committed to being organic and anything new they make will be organic certified. Guided by organic principles, committed to being GM-free and only using ingredients from non-GM sources. Clipper actively discourages the use of chemicals such as pesticides amongst growers.

### Fair
In 1994 Clipper became the UK's first Fairtrade tea company. Clipper is the world's largest buyer of Fairtrade tea, supporting over 114,000 producers and their families around the globe. Fairtrade supports workers' rights and ensures farmers are paid a fair wage. As well as paying the Fairtrade Minimum price, Clipper pays a Fairtrade premium — an additional sum of money which farmers and workers can invest in projects they choose to help improve standards in education, health and housing. Over USD 7 million in Fairtrade Premiums have been contributed since 1994, with GBP 505,823 from UK sales in the year ending September 2025.

### Delicious
Taste is at the heart of what Clipper does. The master tea blenders work tirelessly to create blends that taste better than anyone else's. Clipper has won over 60 Great Taste Awards across its range.

---

## Complete Product Catalog

### Black Tea

**Fairtrade Classic Everyday Tea**
A refreshingly brisk, full-flavoured blend sourced from the finest estates in East Africa, India and Sri Lanka. The UK's best-selling everyday Fairtrade tea. Available in 40 bags, 80 bags, 100 bags, 250 envelopes (catering), 440 bags (catering), 1,100 bags (catering), and 100 string & tag (catering).

**Organic Everyday Tea**
Organic everyday black tea for a perfect daily cuppa. Certified organic by the Soil Association. Made with Indian organic estate leaves. Available in 40 bags and 80 bags.

**Organic Everyday Decaf Tea**
All the flavour of everyday tea with the caffeine removed using the CO2 method. Available in 40 bags and 80 bags.

**Organic Fairtrade Earl Grey Tea**
A classic Earl Grey with organic bergamot oil. Available in 40 bags, 80 bags, and 25 envelopes.

**Organic Fairtrade Decaf Earl Grey Tea**
Decaffeinated Earl Grey using the organic CO2 method. Available in 40 bags.

**Organic Fairtrade English Breakfast Tea**
A robust, full-bodied English Breakfast blend. Available in 40 bags and 25 envelopes.

**Indian Chai Black Tea**
A warming spiced chai black tea blend. Available in 20 bags.

### Green Tea

**Organic Fairtrade Pure Green Tea**
Delicate, refreshing pure green tea. Available in 40 bags, 80 bags, and 25 envelopes.

**Organic Fairtrade Green Tea & Lemon**
Green tea with a zesty natural lemon twist.

**Organic Fairtrade Decaf Green Tea**
Decaffeinated green tea using the CO2 method. Available in 40 bags.

**Green Tea Matcha**
Green tea blended with organic acerola juice granules and organic matcha granules (5%). Available in 20 bags.

### White Tea

**Organic White Tea**
A light, delicious and highly refreshing organic white tea made from the buds and young leaves of the tea bush. White tea is the most lightly processed of all teas. Sourced from China. Available in 40 bags.

### Herbal & Fruit Infusions (Naturally Caffeine-Free)

**Organic Peppermint Infusion** — Classic cooling peppermint. Available in 20 bags and 25 envelopes.

**Organic Chamomile Infusion** — Calming chamomile for relaxation. Available in 20 bags and 25 envelopes.

**Organic Chamomile & Peach Infusion** — Chamomile with sweet peach. 20 bags.

**Organic Peppermint & Spearmint Infusion** — Double-mint blend. 20 bags.

**Organic Blackcurrant & Blueberry Infusion** — Fruity berry blend. 20 bags.

**Organic Lemon & Ginger Infusion** — Zesty and warming. 20 bags and 25 envelopes.

**Organic Fennel Infusion** — Naturally sweet fennel. 20 bags.

**Organic Liquorice Infusion** — Rich, naturally sweet liquorice. 20 bags.

**Liquorice and Mint Infusion** — Liquorice with refreshing mint. 20 bags.

**Organic Nettle Infusion** — Traditional nettle herbal tea. 20 bags.

**Organic Dandelion Infusion** — Traditional dandelion herbal tea. 20 bags.

**Organic Ginger & Turmeric Infusion** — Warming blend with turmeric. 20 bags.

**Orange and Turmeric Organic Infusion** — Citrus and turmeric blend. 20 bags.

**Organic Sleep Easy Infusion** — A calming blend designed to help unwind before bed. 20 bags.

**Snore & Peace Organic Chamomile & Lavender** — Chamomile and lavender sleep blend. 20 bags.

**Organic Strawberry & Elderflower Herbal Tea** — Fruity and floral infusion.

**Spicy Chai Herbal Tea** — Caffeine-free spiced chai infusion.

**Organic Cleanse with Benefits Infusion** — Cleansing herbal blend. 20 bags.

**Organic Selection Box** — Gift selection box containing 45 servings across 5 flavours.

### Rooibos

**Organic Redbush** — South African rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), naturally caffeine-free, can be enjoyed with milk like black tea. Available in 20 bags and 250 bags (catering).

### Coffee (All Fairtrade & Organic)

**House Blend Organic Coffee** — Toasty, intense blend with smooth finish and rich aroma. Available in 100g and 200g instant.

**Rich Roast Organic Coffee** — Bold, rich roast organic coffee. Instant.

**Organic Latin American Instant Coffee** — Single-origin Latin American coffee. Instant.

**Organic Decaf Coffee** — Smooth decaf using CO2 method. Instant.

**Organic Decaf Latin American Instant Coffee** — Decaf single-origin Latin American. Instant.

**Organic NoCaf** — Decaf coffee, 100g.

**Wake Up Coffee** — 125g ground coffee.

**Decaffeinated Roast & Ground Coffee** — Smooth and flavoursome arabica decaf. Roast and ground.

**Italian Style Roast & Ground Coffee** — Rich and strong, full-flavoured arabica. Roast and ground.

**Papua New Guinea Roast & Ground Coffee** — Single-origin from Papua New Guinea. Roast and ground.

**Organic Instant Coffee Sticks** — 200 sticks (catering).

**Organic Decaf Coffee Sticks** — 200 sticks (catering).

### Hot Chocolate

**Rich and Extravagant Fairtrade Drinking Chocolate** — Rich drinking chocolate with 40% cocoa solids. 250g.

**Fairtrade Seriously Velvety Instant Hot Chocolate** — Instant hot chocolate for easy preparation. Available in 350g and 1kg.

**Natural Fair and Delicious Hot Chocolate Sachets** — Individual sachets, 100 per box (catering).

### Tea Gifts

**Organic Gift Box Selection** — Beautiful gift box with a selection of Clipper's finest organic teas.

### Food Service & Catering Range

- Fairtrade Classic Everyday Dorset Classic Tea — 250 envelopes
- Fairtrade Everyday One Cup — 1,120 tea bags
- Various wooden display chests and stands for hospitality
- Rooibos catering pack — 250 bags
- Instant coffee sticks — 200 per box (regular and decaf)
- Hot chocolate sachets — 100 per box

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## Tea Bag Innovation

Clipper's tea bags are distinctive for the following reasons:

**Plastic-free (since 2018):** Clipper became the world's first tea company to make all heat-sealed tea bags free from polypropylene (petro-based/fossil fuel plastic).

**Plant-based seal:** Tea bags are sealed with PLA (polylactic acid), a non-GM bio-material made from plant cellulose. This replaces the polypropylene typically used by other brands. PLA is fully biodegradable under industrial composting conditions.

**Unbleached:** Clipper never bleaches their tea bags. The natural brown colour is the result of using unprocessed materials. No chemicals or bleaching agents are used.

**Non-GM:** All materials are verified non-genetically-modified.

**Biodegradable:** Fully biodegradable. Note: PLA requires industrial composting facilities (higher temperatures) for complete biodegradation; may not fully biodegrade in home compost systems. Best disposal method is kerbside food waste collection.

**Natural materials:** Tags and strings are made from natural, unbleached, non-GMO cotton. No synthetic glues or staples.

**Tea bag paper:** Made from European wood pulp (FSC/PEFC certified) and cellulosic long fibres (abaca from Philippines/Asia). Manufactured in the UK.

---

## Tea Sourcing

Clipper sources teas from multiple origins worldwide, maintaining direct relationships with a small number of progressive partner estates rather than purchasing through auction. This direct sourcing approach gives farmers confidence to invest in organic and sustainable agriculture.

### Sourcing Countries

| Country/Region | Notes |
|----------------|-------|
| **Kenya** | Only from estates east of the Rift Valley (superior quality). Black and green tea. |
| **India (Assam)** | Seven specific partner estates. 80%+ female pickers. Rich, malty flavour. |
| **India (Kerala)** | Organic plantations, naturally protected by jungle on three sides. |
| **Sri Lanka** | Traditional tea sourcing partner for black tea blends. |
| **China** | White tea sourcing. |
| **South Africa** | Rooibos (redbush) and other teas. |
| **Tanzania** | Tea sourcing for blends. |
| **Uganda** | Tea sourcing for blends. |
| **Rwanda** | Important supplier of organic tea. |

### Sourcing Principles
- Direct relationships with progressive partner estates
- Avoids tea auctions to maintain ethical and quality control
- Long-term buying partnerships enabling farmer investment in organic/sustainable agriculture
- 100% organic standards for herbal ingredients
- The flagship Organic Everyday Tea uses Indian organic estate leaves

### Decaffeination
Clipper uses the carbon dioxide (CO2) method to decaffeinate teas and coffees. This method uses pressurised CO2 to extract caffeine without chemical solvents (ethyl acetate or methylene chloride). The CO2 method preserves more natural flavour and is more environmentally friendly.

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## Certifications

| Certification | Details |
|---------------|---------|
| **Fairtrade** | One of the first three UK companies to receive the Fairtrade mark (1994). World's largest Fairtrade tea brand. Helped write original Fairtrade Standards. Fairtrade's first and longest-standing tea partner. |
| **Organic — Soil Association** | Certified by the Soil Association. EU Organic certified. Synthetic pesticides prohibited. |
| **Organic — USDA** | USDA Organic certified for US market products. |
| **B Corporation** | Certified through parent company Ecotone. B Corp score: 123.7 (2025). Highest B Corp score among major food companies worldwide (>1,000 employees). 80 points required for certification; median score for assessed businesses is 50.9. |
| **Non-GMO** | Non-GM verified across product range. |
| **Carbon Neutral** | Carbon-neutral certified. Offset 31,000+ tonnes of emissions over the past decade. |
| **Kosher** | Select products carry Kosher certification. |

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## Sustainability

### Packaging Commitments
- Invested over GBP 1 million in new production lines to remove unrecyclable inner foil bags from larger packs, making packaging 100% recyclable and suitable for kerbside collection
- Saves a minimum of 20 tonnes of metalised plastic from landfill or incineration each year
- Member of the UK Plastics Pact (implemented by WRAP, the climate action NGO)
- Target: all packaging to be 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable
- Recyclable envelopes made from heat-sealable paper, 33% lighter than previous material

### Carbon & Environmental
- Carbon-neutral certified
- 31,000+ tonnes of carbon emissions offset over the past decade (equivalent to approximately 347,000 London-to-Paris car journeys)
- All teas blended and packed in the UK (Beaminster, Dorset), limiting food miles
- Organic farming practices protect soil health, encourage wildlife diversity, protect insects, and prevent harmful pesticides entering water systems
- Committed to slave-free supply chain (since 2018)

### Sourcing Practices
- Direct relationships with progressive partner estates (not purchased through auction)
- Long-term buying partnerships give farmers confidence to invest in organic and sustainable agriculture
- Over USD 7 million in Fairtrade Premiums contributed since 1994
- GBP 505,823 in Fairtrade Premiums from UK sales (year ending September 2025)

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## Environmental Campaigns & Initiatives

### Save the Bees (with National Trust)
Donated GBP 50,000 to the National Trust Making Meadows appeal — 10p from 500,000 packs of Clipper Tea. Funds restore and protect wildflower meadows for bees and butterflies.

### Plastic-Free Tea Bags (2018)
World's first tea company to make all heat-sealed tea bags free from polypropylene. Prevented tonnes of oil-based plastic from entering the waste stream.

### Fully Recyclable Packaging
GBP 1 million+ invested in new machinery. Removed unrecyclable inner foil bags from larger pack formats. Saves 20+ tonnes of metalised plastic from landfill/incineration per year.

### UK Plastics Pact Membership
Member of WRAP's UK Plastics Pact, focused on eliminating problematic single-use packaging.

### Carbon Neutrality
Carbon-neutral certified. Offset 31,000+ tonnes of emissions over the past decade.

### Sounds of Nature (Reconnect to Nature Campaign)
Created with agency Defiant. Turned nature sounds into a dance track with proceeds going to the Sounds Right Conservation Fund, channelling music royalties into environmental protection. The campaign reached 13 million people.

### Glastonbury Festival Partnership
Official Tea Supplier for Glastonbury Festival (2024-2025 and ongoing). Present at the Green Futures site. Donates 25p per promotional pack to nature charities including The Forest Food Project.

### Brew It Fair
Brought a petition to Downing Street advocating for Fairtrade practices in the tea industry.

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## Awards

### Great Taste Awards
Over 60 Great Taste Awards in the last 20+ years:
- Two-star Great Taste Awards for: Fairtrade Everyday Teabags, Organic Everyday Teabags, Gold Teabags
- One-star Great Taste Awards for: Organic Infusion Wild Berry, English Breakfast, Organic Decaf Everyday

### Industry Awards
- Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEAs): Beverage Manufacturing Company of the Year
- FMEAs: Me and My Factory — Editor's Choice Award
- South West exporting honours

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## Manufacturing & Supply Chain

- **Blending & packing location:** Beaminster, Dorset, England
- **Production volume:** Approximately 1.2 billion tea bags per year
- **Production speed:** 350 tea bags per minute on newer production lines
- **Process:** In-house tea specialists blend leaves using rotating drums for balanced flavour profiles
- **Key investment:** GBP 1.25 million investment enabled production of additional 100 million tea bags at the Beaminster site
- **All products:** Blended and packed in the UK

### Tea Bag Materials Sourcing
- Tea bag paper: European wood pulp (FSC/PEFC certified)
- Cellulosic long fibres: Abaca from Philippines/Asia
- PLA seal: Plant cellulose-based bio-material (non-GM)
- Tags and strings: Natural, unbleached, non-GMO cotton

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## Dietary Information

| Attribute | Status |
|-----------|--------|
| **Vegan** | Yes — all tea products are vegan |
| **Gluten-Free** | Very unlikely to contain gluten, but no specific testing is conducted |
| **Organic** | Majority of range is certified organic (Soil Association / EU Organic / USDA Organic) |
| **Non-GMO** | Yes — verified non-GM across range |
| **Kosher** | Select products |
| **Caffeine-free options** | Herbal infusions are naturally caffeine-free; decaf range available for black and green teas |
| **Allergens** | Clipper works to minimise allergen cross-contamination risk. No nuts used in products or factory. |

### Caffeine Content Guide
- Everyday black tea: approximately 40-70mg per cup
- Green tea: less caffeine than black tea (varies by preparation)
- Decaf teas: trace amounts only (CO2 method)
- Herbal infusions (without Camellia sinensis): naturally caffeine-free
- White tea: lower caffeine than black or green tea

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Where does tea come from?
Tea is commercially grown in many countries including China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Turkey, Vietnam and even a tiny amount in Cornwall. Not all origins are capable of producing the same quality or varieties.

### What are the different types of tea?
There are estimated to be around 1,500 varieties, but most fall under: Black Tea, Green Tea, White Tea, Oolong, Pu-erh, and Yellow Tea. All true teas come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis — the difference is in how the leaves are processed.

### How do I brew the perfect cup of black tea?
Pour freshly boiled water (not water that has been sitting in your kettle) over the tea bag, leave for three to five minutes, and serve with a splash of milk. Using fresh water ensures the best oxygen content and flavour extraction.

### How do I brew green tea?
Green tea should be brewed with water that has cooled slightly after boiling (approximately 70-80 degrees Celsius). Steep for 1-3 minutes. Overheating or oversteeping can make green tea bitter.

### Do Clipper tea bags contain plastic?
Clipper tea bags are free from polypropylene (oil-based plastic). They are sealed with PLA (polylactic acid), a plant-based, biodegradable material. Clipper was the world's first tea company to achieve this across its entire range in 2018.

### How should I dispose of used tea bags?
Into 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 PLA biodegradation.

### Why are Clipper tea bags brown?
Because they are unbleached. The natural brown colour is the result of using unprocessed paper without any bleaching agents.

### Are Clipper products gluten-free?
It is very unlikely that any Clipper teas contain gluten, but no specific testing is carried out to confirm this.

### Are Clipper products vegan?
Yes, all Clipper tea products are vegan.

### What caffeine levels are in Clipper teas?
Approximately 40-70mg per cup of everyday black tea. Most infusions (without Camellia sinensis) are naturally caffeine-free. Decaf teas contain only trace amounts.

### How is Clipper tea decaffeinated?
Using the carbon dioxide method, which is better for the planet than chemical methods using ethyl acetate or methylene chloride.

### Why don't all blends have the Fairtrade mark?
Clipper tries very hard to source 100% Fairtrade ingredients, but it is not always possible for every ingredient. However, Clipper works closely with suppliers to ensure all ingredients are ethically sourced.

### Where can I buy Clipper in the UK?
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Co-op, Booths, the Clipper online shop (shop.clipper-teas.com), Ocado, Amazon, and independent health food stores.

### Where can I buy Clipper abroad?
Clipper Teas are sold in over 50 countries through international distributors. In Germany, Spain and Italy the brand is sold as "Cupper Tea". Visit the international distributors page or buy from the Clipper online shop.

### What is Redbush?
Also known as Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), it is a South African plant. While most consider it a tea, it is actually a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion. It can be enjoyed with milk like black tea.

### What is the significance of the elevation at which tea is grown?
The elevation at which tea is grown affects the flavour in a number of ways. Temperatures are cooler at higher elevations, meaning the leaves grow more slowly, giving them more time to develop greater depth of flavour. Darjeeling, situated on the foothills of the Himalayas at up to 7,000 feet above sea level, is said to be the champagne of teas, with its delicious unique muscatel character.

### Why is my teabag a darker colour?
It is a different colour because it has not been bleached. The natural brown colour comes from using unprocessed paper. Clipper chose to remove bleaching entirely from its production process because it is an unnecessary chemical step. Extensive blind taste testing confirmed unbleached paper has zero impact on the flavour of the tea.

### What is used to bleach tea bag paper?
Clipper does not bleach its tea bag paper. In the industry, the two processes used for bleaching are TCF (total chlorine free), which uses oxygen and hydrogen peroxide or ozone, and ECF (elemental chlorine free), which uses chlorine dioxide. Clipper has eliminated bleaching entirely, using unbleached paper throughout all production.

### What about the foil wrapping on larger tea boxes?
Clipper rolled out a trailblazing packaging change by removing the commonly used unrecyclable foil from larger boxes of teas. This prevents 20 tonnes of plastic packaging from landfill or incineration each year. Clipper's goal is to make all packaging completely recyclable, reusable, or compostable through its commitment to The UK Plastics Pact implemented by WRAP UK.

### Why are some teabags in individual envelopes?
Some Clipper teabags are sold in envelopes to help them stay fresh, protect them from external factors like sunlight and moisture, and preserve the flavour of the ingredients. Envelopes also make it convenient for people who want to take their favourite tea to work, keep it in their handbag, or pack it in an overnight bag. The new recyclable envelope material is made from paper with a thin heat seal coating, making it 33% lighter and widely recyclable in paper recycling bins.

### Are the elements that create the paper certified?
Yes, the wood pulps used in Clipper's tea bag paper production are either FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified. All tea bag paper is manufactured in the UK using wood pulp sourced mainly from Europe and cellulosic long fibres (abaca) sourced from the Philippines and Asia.

### Does Clipper have nut-free products?
Clipper does not use any nuts within its products or factory and works very hard to keep nut contamination risk as low as possible. However, no specific nut-free certification is carried.

### What is PLA and is it safe?
PLA (polylactic acid) is a bio-material made from plant cellulose. It is a non-GM material that is fully biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. PLA is completely different from polypropylene (oil-based plastic) and is considered safe for food contact use. PLA is used to seal Clipper's tea bags as a replacement for the polypropylene used by most other tea companies.

### How does Fairtrade benefit tea workers?
Fairtrade ensures farmers are paid a fair minimum price for their tea, providing economic stability. In addition, Clipper pays a Fairtrade premium — an additional sum of money that farmers and workers invest in community projects they choose themselves. These projects improve standards in education, health, housing, and agricultural development. Since 1994, Clipper has contributed over USD 7 million in Fairtrade Premiums, directly benefiting tea-growing communities across East Africa, India, and Sri Lanka.

### What is the difference between organic and Fairtrade tea?
Organic certification (such as Soil Association Organic) refers to how the tea is grown — without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, or genetically modified organisms. Fairtrade certification refers to the social and economic conditions under which the tea is traded — ensuring fair wages, workers' rights, and community investment. Many Clipper products carry both certifications, meaning the tea is grown organically AND traded fairly. Some products may carry one certification but not the other.

### How should I brew green tea?
Green tea should be brewed with water that has cooled slightly after boiling — approximately 70-80 degrees Celsius is ideal. Steep for 1-3 minutes depending on your taste preference. Using water that is too hot or steeping for too long can make green tea taste bitter. Green tea can be enjoyed without milk.

### How should I brew herbal infusions?
Pour freshly boiled water over the infusion bag and steep for 4-6 minutes to allow the full flavour of the herbs and fruits to develop. Herbal infusions can be enjoyed hot or cold. For iced infusions, brew as normal, allow to cool, and serve over ice.

---

## Tea Knowledge

### Types of Tea
All true teas — black, green, white, oolong, and pu-erh — come from the same plant: Camellia sinensis. The differences between tea types are determined by how the leaves are processed after harvesting.

**Black Tea** is fully oxidised, giving it a robust flavour and dark colour. It is the most popular type of tea globally and is the basis for Clipper's everyday blends. Black tea pairs well with milk and sugar.

**Green Tea** is minimally oxidised, preserving more of the natural plant compounds (polyphenols and catechins). It has a lighter, more delicate flavour than black tea and is known for its antioxidant properties. Green tea contains less caffeine than black tea.

**White Tea** is the least processed of all teas. Made from young buds and leaves that are simply dried, white tea has a subtle, delicate flavour. It is sourced primarily from China and is prized for its lightness and natural sweetness.

**Herbal Infusions** (also called tisanes) are not technically teas, as they do not contain leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, they are made from dried herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices. Common examples include peppermint, chamomile, lemon and ginger, and rooibos. Herbal infusions are naturally caffeine-free.

**Rooibos (Redbush)** is made from the leaves of Aspalathus linearis, a plant native to South Africa. It is naturally caffeine-free and can be enjoyed with milk, making it the closest herbal infusion to black tea in terms of drinking experience.

### Health Benefits of Tea
Tea contains polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants. Green tea is particularly rich in catechins, including EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). Tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that may promote relaxation without drowsiness. Different herbal infusions offer their own traditional health benefits — for example, chamomile is widely associated with relaxation and sleep, peppermint with digestive comfort, and ginger with warming and invigorating properties.

### The Importance of Water Quality
The quality of water used to brew tea significantly affects the taste. Fresh, cold water is recommended because it contains more dissolved oxygen, which helps extract flavour. Water that has been boiled multiple times or left standing loses oxygen and can produce a flat-tasting cup. For the best results, fill the kettle with fresh cold water each time.

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## Parent Company — Ecotone Group

**Current name:** Ecotone (formerly Royal Wessanen)
**Headquarters:** Lyon, France
**Ownership:** PAI Partners (62%) and Charles Jobson (38%), acquired April 2019 for EUR 885 million
**Legal status:** Mission-driven company under French law ("entreprise a mission")
**B Corp score:** 123.7 (2025)

### Ecotone Brand Portfolio
| Brand | Category |
|-------|----------|
| **Clipper** | Organic & Fairtrade teas, coffees, hot chocolate |
| **Kallo** | Organic rice cakes, veggie cakes, stocks, gravies |
| **Mrs Crimble's** | Gluten-free baked goods |
| **Bjorg** | Organic food (France) |
| **Bonneterre** | Organic food (France) |
| **Allos** | Organic food (Germany) |
| **Alter Eco** | Fair trade food |
| **Abbot Kinney's** | Plant-based dairy alternatives |
| **Destination** | Organic coffee/tea (France) |
| **El Granero** | Organic food (Spain) |
| **Isola Bio** | Organic plant-based drinks (Italy) |
| **Zonnatura** | Organic food (Netherlands) |

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## Key Partnerships

| Partner | Nature of Partnership |
|---------|----------------------|
| **Fairtrade Foundation** | Founding partner (1994). Fairtrade's first and longest-standing tea partner. |
| **Soil Association** | Organic certification body for Clipper products. |
| **National Trust** | "Save the Bees" campaign — GBP 50,000 donated for Making Meadows appeal. |
| **WRAP / UK Plastics Pact** | Member, committed to eliminating problematic single-use packaging. |
| **Glastonbury Festival** | Official Tea Supplier (2024-2025 and ongoing). |
| **The Forest Food Project** | Beneficiary of Glastonbury partnership donations. |
| **Sounds Right Conservation Fund** | Beneficiary of "Sounds of Nature" music campaign royalties. |
| **B Lab** | B Corporation certification (through Ecotone). |

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## Export Markets

Sold in over 50 countries. Export sales represent approximately 20% of group turnover. Known markets include: France, Netherlands, Germany (as Cupper Tea), Spain (as Cupper Tea), Italy (as Cupper Tea), United States, Japan, South Korea, Chile, Estonia, Latvia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Philippines. US market achieved 273% year-over-year value growth in 2024.

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## Financial Context

- UK's 6th biggest tea brand
- Approximately 20% share of UK ethical tea segment
- Infusion range: 31% value sales growth by October 2025
- Parent entity Kallo Foods 2024 turnover: GBP 124.5 million
- 2021: Achieved 10.3% value/volume growth while overall UK tea sector declined 3.8%

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## Social Media

| Platform | Handle | Notes |
|----------|--------|-------|
| **Instagram** | @clipperteas | Main UK/global account |
| **Instagram** | @clipperteasus | US account |
| **Facebook** | @ClipperTeas | Main page (196,000+ likes) |
| **Facebook** | @ClipperTeasUS | US page |
| **X (Twitter)** | @clipperteas | |
| **TikTok** | @clipperteas | Active brand content |
| **YouTube** | /clipperteas | |
| **Pinterest** | /clipperteas | |

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## Where to Buy

### UK Supermarkets
- Tesco
- Sainsbury's
- Asda
- Morrisons
- Waitrose
- Co-op
- Booths

### Online Retailers
- Clipper Tea Shop: https://shop.clipper-teas.com
- Ocado
- Amazon UK
- Ethical Superstore
- Natural Collection
- Planet Organic

### Independent Stores
Stocked by independent health food shops and organic stores across the UK.

### Food Service / Out of Home
Available through wholesale partners for hotels, offices and food service operators.

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## Contact Information

- **Customer care form:** https://www.clipper-teas.com/get-in-touch
- **Media/PR enquiries:** press@clipper-teas.com
- **Online order queries:** clipper@clfdistribution.com
- **International distribution:** international@clipper-teas.com
- **Careers:** https://jobs.ecotone.bio

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## Site Map

- Home: https://www.clipper-teas.com/
- Our Story: https://www.clipper-teas.com/about/our-story
- Our Expertise: https://www.clipper-teas.com/about/our-expertise
- Our Sustainability: https://www.clipper-teas.com/about/our-sustainability
- Our Ethics: https://www.clipper-teas.com/about/our-ethics
- Our Drinks: https://www.clipper-teas.com/our-drinks
- Black Tea: https://www.clipper-teas.com/our-drinks/black-tea
- Green Tea: https://www.clipper-teas.com/our-drinks/green-tea
- Infusions: https://www.clipper-teas.com/our-drinks/infusions
- White Tea: https://www.clipper-teas.com/our-drinks/white-tea
- Coffee: https://www.clipper-teas.com/our-drinks/fairtrade-coffee
- Hot Chocolate: https://www.clipper-teas.com/our-drinks/hot-chocolate
- Tea Gifts: https://www.clipper-teas.com/our-drinks/tea-gifts
- Tea Talk: https://www.clipper-teas.com/tea-talk
- Make it Better: https://www.clipper-teas.com/make-it-better
- Save the Bees: https://www.clipper-teas.com/save-the-bees
- AcTEAvism: https://www.clipper-teas.com/ac-tea-vism
- FAQ: https://www.clipper-teas.com/faq
- Where to Buy: https://www.clipper-teas.com/where-to-buy
- Get in Touch: https://www.clipper-teas.com/get-in-touch
- Trade: https://www.clipper-teas.com/trade
- Food Service Range: https://www.clipper-teas.com/food-service-range
- UK Distributors: https://www.clipper-teas.com/uk-distributors
- International Distributors: https://www.clipper-teas.com/international-distributors

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## Related Discovery Files

- llms.txt (summary): https://www.clipper-teas.com/llms.txt
- ai.txt (AI permissions): https://www.clipper-teas.com/ai.txt
- brand.txt (brand guidelines): https://www.clipper-teas.com/brand.txt
- faq-ai.txt (FAQ for AI): https://www.clipper-teas.com/faq-ai.txt