The whimsical, sustainable brand and world’s largest buyer of Fairtrade tea introduces fresh new look, three new flavors and two seasonal varieties
PITTSBURGH (June 10, 2022) - Clipper Tea, the British-based Certified B-Corp tea brand committed to making a better cuppa, is giving the next generation of tea drinkers trendy flavors and coveted experiences by combining the highest quality, delicious ingredients sourced ethically and sustainably. The brand, renowned for boldly-colored packaging and scrummy flavors with a sense of fun, has ambitious plans for growth in the U.S., including the rollout of new packaging, innovative flavors and seasonal varieties for the holiday season to bring joy to mugs across the country.
Next to water, tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world and can be found in nearly 80% of U.S. households[1]. Last year the tea market grew, with black tea exceeding the previous year by more than 9% and premium tea bag sales growing 18%1. Data has shown that premium teas, like Clipper Tea, are driving the majority of category growth as consumers seek out benefits of high-quality tea. During times of stress, “tea ceremonies” defined by habits of brewing tea in your favorite mug, using your hand-me-down kettle or adding in milk and sugar, help boost serenity and internal quiet, according to the Tea Association of the USA Inc. More and more, consumers are also seeking out brands like Clipper Tea that provide details on where their tea is coming from, how the product supports the livelihoods of those who make it and that it is environmentally friendly.
“Clipper Tea was the first Fairtrade certified tea company in the U.K., and for more than 27 years we have been proud to produce a tea made with respect to people, product and planet,” said Chris Tandy, U.S. Regional Sales Manager. “We are excited to expand this same passion in the U.S. with optimized, vibrant packaging and on-trend flavor varieties, including new seasonal offerings. We hope to make it even easier for consumers to see all the ways we’re doing things right, as well as capture the fun and whimsy that is at the core of Clipper Tea.”
Packaging that Pops on the Shelf
Unlike typical tea with bleached bags, conventional sourcing that doesn’t put farmers first and limited flavor combinations, Clipper Tea is bringing a fresh, fun and ethical perspective to the tea aisle. Via consumer insights work, Clipper Tea learned American consumers were seeking consciously-sourced products that didn’t feel stuffy and old-fashioned.
The new packages feature striking black cups in place of the original white on the colorful boxes Clipper Tea is known for, with updated, playful ingredient illustrations above each, and more prominent displays of Organic, Non-GMO, Certified B-Corp and Fairtrade certifications. Additionally, the flavor names of each variety now more clearly celebrate what’s inside each box, for example “Big Ben'' is now Organic English Breakfast Black Tea. Each box now also has prep directions for optimal enjoyment.
“We wanted to meet U.S. consumers where they are, recovering from a global pandemic and with little time to research every product in their grocery carts. By making Clipper Tea differentiators more distinguished on each box, and celebrating the ingredients in each variety, consumers will be able to easily see that Clipper is truly making better cuppas,“ said Tandy.
New Flavors for Year-Round Enjoyment
Clipper Tea has long been celebrated as one of the best-tasting teas on the market, winning Great Taste Awards in the UK every year since 2009. As the brand expands in the U.S., it has optimized its SKU range to better meet the desires of the next generation of U.S. tea drinkers.
Each flavor is blended in Dorset, England, by Clipper Tea’s expert team to create unique, bright and bold flavor profiles. The new, on-trend flavors include:
Organic Earl Grey Black Tea: Light and refreshing with the delicious and distinctive citrus zing of Bergamot
Organic Orange & Turmeric Herbal Tea: Filled with bursts of delicious fruity orange and invigorating turmeric
Organic Green Tea & Lemon: Light, crisp and highly refreshing green tea with a delicious lemony citrus zing
The winter range includes:
Organic Winter Apple & Cinnamon Herbal Tea: Gently spiced with apple, cinnamon and hints of lemongrass
Organic Winter Berries Herbal Tea: Fruity and warming with clover, star anise and cinnamon
Existing flavors Big Ben, Strawberry Fields and Main Squeeze will also be getting new looks and names, as well as a more prominent display of organic certification. Clipper Tea fans can now find these favorites as Organic English Breakfast Black Tea, Organic Strawberry & Elderflower Herbal Tea and Organic Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea.
Members of the Clipper Tea team travel the world looking for the best tea gardens in Africa, India and Sri Lanka to source, select and blend every cup of tea. Each blend is made with great care and attention to detail. By combining the right sourcing and high-quality ingredients, Clipper Tea delivers delightful sipping experiences.
A Better Cuppa
The rebranded and new varieties will continue to uphold Clipper Tea’s commitment to sustainability, using plant-based, biodegradable, unbleached and Non-GMO tea bags - the company was the world’s first tea brand to develop them - recyclable boxes and recyclable and biodegradable individual tea bag envelopes. In addition to the earth-friendly packaging, the U.K.-based factory where the tea is blended is carbon neutral and 98% of factory waste is recycled, with tea waste used to generate green energy. Clipper Tea is also the world’s biggest buyer of Fairtrade certified tea, supporting more than 114,000 farmers, workers and their families across the globe.
All of the continuing and new flavors are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and Certified B-Corp, with all black and green teas Fairtrade certified ($5.99 MSRP per box). They are available for purchase in select retailers across the country and on Amazon, with distribution increasing through 2022.
The new packaging and flavors will be featured at booth #7504 on Level 1.
About Clipper Tea
Clipper Tea is a different kind of tea company and a pioneer in ethical, sustainable tea production. The Clipper Tea story started with just two chests of finest-quality Assam tea, sold to local Dorset health food shops and cafes. Today, there are over 150 different Clipper Tea products sold in over 50 countries but all still blended in their factory in Beaminster, Dorset in England. Its products never contain anything artificial and never will. In 1994, Clipper Tea became the U.K.'s first Fairtrade tea company and even helped to write the Fairtrade Standards. More than 25 years later, Clipper Tea is the world's largest buyer of Fairtrade tea, supporting more than 114,000 producers and their families across the world. Clipper Tea is part of Ecotone, the first multinational company to achieve B Corp Corporation status globally. To learn more, visit clipper-teas.us. and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
[1] Tea Association of the USA Inc. 2022 Tea Market Review & Forecast