International Tea Day
At H.R.Higgins, tea holds a special place in our story. Our journey began in Mayfair in 1942 with a passion for sourcing and roasting exceptional coffee, but it was in 1986 that tea became an integral part of the Higgins legacy.
David Higgins, the third generation to lead the business, brought the same passion for quality and integrity that defined the family’s coffee legacy to the world of tea. With a refined palate honed over years of coffee expertise, David began sourcing the finest leaves from around the world, guided by the principles of quality, tradition and sustainability.
Today, tea continues to be at the heart of what we do. As we celebrate International Tea Day, we invite you to discover the rich history and exceptional quality behind the teas we offer.
Loose Leaf vs. Pyramid Tea Bags
For us, loose leaf tea represents the ultimate tea-drinking experience. There’s a beauty to the ritual: the careful selection of tea leaves, the measuring, the brewing, the patience. It’s a moment to pause and enjoy the simple act of making tea.
However, we understand that modern life often calls for a little more convenience. That’s why we’ve introduced our biodegradable pyramid bags, designed with the same commitment to quality. The spacious design of our pyramid bags allows whole tea leaves to unfurl fully, ensuring you still experience the depth, character and complexity you’d expect from our loose leaf teas.
Unlike traditional flat tea bags, where the leaves are often crushed and unable to brew properly, our pyramid bags give you the best of both worlds – convenience without compromise.
At H.R.Higgins, we proudly offer both options. Whether you seek the slow, mindful ritual of loose leaf or the quick comfort of a pyramid brew, we believe everyone deserves a cup of tea crafted with care.
Staff Picks: Tea Lovers Share Their Favourite Brews
In celebration of International Tea Day, we asked our H.R.Higgins team to share their thoughts on tea. Here’s what they had to say:
Mr Tony
“Though tea bags were introduced into the UK in 1939, it wasn’t until the early 1950s that what we would recognise as the tea bag began to make a significant impact on our tea-drinking habits, and not until the late 1960’s did it begin to dominate over loose leaf tea.
Convenience was key: being able to dispose of used tea leaves efficiently and easily, without blocking up the sink. There was also the belief that, to enjoy maximum flavour, the infused tea leaves should be removed from the prepared tea.
In addition, the very small, dust-like leaves which, up until that time, had held little value for growers, took on a new and important role. They came into their own, as they were ideal for tea bags, and a method of manufacture called CTC, (Crush, Tear, Curl) was invented.
I see the merit in using both tea bags and loose tea. I love the diversity of flavour I find in loose leaf teas. The large leaf is not suitable for commercial production of tea bags; however, when I want to enjoy the complex flavours of large leaf teas, I use the Teefilter teeli flip. I make my own tea bag using the loose tea of my choice.
I admit that it takes a bit of practice to spoon the large leaves into the bag, but one soon becomes proficient. This way, I combine the best of both flavour and convenience.”
David Higgins
“I always try to drink loose leaf tea wherever there is a choice. For a start there is much more variety of loose-leaf teas plus the flavour of bagged tea is never quite as good. This is only something you realise if you have the comparison though. Some bagged teas are better than others of course. In order to release the flavour, the leaves need room to unwind and expand therefore bags tend to contain small leaves or broken leaves and will not usually have such complex or refined flavours.
We chose to use the pyramid shaped bags in order to afford the leaves as much room as possible to infuse and could use larger leaves than are found in paper tea bags so we have really pushed the quality as high as possible. We all know that they are convenient, easily disposed of etc. But you can infuse loose tea in a special tea bag you fill yourself which can then be thrown away like any normal bag of course.
Personally, I use a teapot with a metal basket or a smaller metal basket inside a mug. Sure, it’s a bit messier than a tea bag but I’m just willing to spend a minute banging out the leaves into the bin and reusing the basket rather than creating more waste than necessary. For me loose leaf tea will always win out due to the superior taste. It’s a personal choice really.”
Jemma
“Vanilla Rooibos is one of my favourites as it satisfies that sweet-tooth craving, but without the guilt. I’m also a big fan of Matcha (try it with tonic and lime, it’s delicious). Even my 8-year-old daughter has gotten into it. She loves our loose-leaf peppermint. I sometimes take her to the shop in Mayfair, where she proudly orders her favourite and we sit together with our tea and chat and enjoy. Those moments feel really special.”
Ann Louise
“I only use loose leaf tea because for me it’s about the ritual. I have spent time in Japan and fell in love with the process. I love my Hario glass teapot. It makes it super simple to brew easily. As for teabags, I am delighted Higgins has started making them. It means when I am travelling I can take my beloved Rest & Restore tea with me.”
Martin
“I joined the H.R.Higgins business nearly a year ago now as a self-confessed coffee fanatic but always start the day with a strong tea (milk in last). We’ve got some amazing loose teas but our new range of Pyramid Tea Bags are the ultimate shortcut (Don’t tell David Higgins). Currently English Breakfast is the first thing, and the best kept secret in tea, our Rest & Restore in the evening.”
Brooke
“Peppermint tea is my evening ritual—nothing else quite settles me in the same way. I’ve tried so many over the years, but I haven’t found a fresher, cleaner peppermint than the one from H.R.Higgins. Now that we’ve released it in teabags, it’s even easier to enjoy—no fuss, just pure, vibrant flavour in every cup.”
Gemma
“I love our Higgins loose tea range. We have such a varied choice to choose from, my personal favourite is the Japanese Cherry. Not only does it smell and taste amazing, it is beautiful to see through the Hario glass tea pot. After I have finished brewing, I am then able to use the tea in my garden towards my compost. Something I love about our products is how good they are for the environment. The packaging for the teabags can be recycled, which is something that I really like. Plus, it's great to be able to take my tea with me for travelling.”
Sarah
“I have a love of loose-leaf tea, for measuring the leaves, heating the water, and watching the tea steep, I find it creates a moment of pause at the end of my busy day. My go to is the Japanese Cherry Blossom loose leaf tea, with its deliciously fruity & fragrant floral notes, the aroma that hits you when brewing the leaves is something I look forward to each & every time & knowing it is high in antioxidants makes it all the more enjoyable. For ease and convenience though, especially when travelling, nothing beats being able to create a perfectly balanced cup of tea and with our new range of pyramid tea bags, I can do just that.”
Natalie
“I recently purchased one of the 300ml Hario Glass Teapots following one of our tea tasting sessions downstairs. I am at the funny stage in a woman’s life where my hormones are all over the place and I wanted to try and look after myself a bit better and knew that herbal teas have some great health benefits. I have been trying a handful selected by Chloe and have really been enjoying a cup through the day but mainly in the evening. I like the Health and Harmony and Rest and Restore as I feel they help me unwind a bit. I am keen to try some of the others too and I am so glad I splashed out and purchased the teapot.”
This International Tea Day, we invite you to treat yourself to a new tea experience. Whether you prefer the mindful ritual of loose-leaf or the convenience of pyramid tea bags, at H.R.Higgins, we believe every cup of tea should be crafted with care.
How do you take your tea? Whether it’s loose leaf or pyramid, we’d love to hear about your favourite brews! Share your tea moments with us on social media or drop by our Mayfair shop for a cup of tea made with love.
Happy International Tea Day from all of us at H.R.Higgins!