Twinings vs Bigelow Tea: Which Brand Offers the Best Taste and Flavor?
I love all types of tea not just loose leaf, tea bag tea also has its rightful place in our cupboards. Growing up in East London, builders brew was a staple for me and it holds a special place in my heart. This is where my love of tea started.
Tea is a popular beverage in both British and American cultures, each with its own unique traditions and customs. British tea culture has been around for centuries, with tea being a symbol of elegance, refinement, and social interaction. On the other hand, American tea culture has evolved over time, reflecting the diverse influences of the country's history and regional preferences. In this article, we will compare two of the most popular tea brands in these two countries - Twinings from England and Bigelow from America. We will explore the differences in their blends, taste, and packaging, and analyze how they embody their respective cultural traditions.
Read more: Do Brits really drink a lot of tea?
Twinings or Bigelow
Overall, while both British and American tea cultures share a love of tea, there are some distinct differences in how tea is prepared, consumed, and celebrated.
Twinings
Twinings Tea is a British tea company founded by Thomas Twining in 1706. The company is based in London, England and has a long and rich history of producing some of the finest teas in the world. Originally, Twinings was a small coffee shop, but it soon gained a reputation for its high-quality tea blends. By 1720, the company had established itself as a leading tea merchant, importing and selling tea from China and other parts of the world. Throughout its history, Twinings has continued to innovate and experiment with new blends, including its famous Earl Grey tea, which is flavored with bergamot oil. Today, Twinings is known for its wide range of teas, including black, green, white tea, herbal, and specialty blends, which are sold in over 100 countries around the world.
Twinings Tea is a proud holder of the Royal Warrant, which means it has the official seal of approval from the British Royal Family. This prestigious designation is awarded to companies that have supplied goods or services to the Royal Family for at least five years and have demonstrated exceptional quality and service. Twinings has held the Royal Warrant since 1837, when it was granted by Queen Victoria. Since then, the company has continued to supply tea to several generations of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II. This endorsement from the Royal Family is a testament to the quality and craftsmanship of Twinings Tea, and it remains a highly respected and sought-after honor in the United Kingdom.
Bigelow
Bigelow Tea is an American tea company founded by Ruth Campbell Bigelow in 1945. The company is based in Fairfield, Connecticut and has been producing high-quality teas for over 75 years. Ruth Bigelow, who was inspired by a recipe she discovered in a colonial cookbook, created her first tea blend, "Constant Comment," which quickly became a sensation. The tea was so popular that she started selling it to stores in New York City, and eventually began to build her own tea company. Today, Bigelow Tea is a family-owned business, run by Ruth's son David and his daughters Eunice and Cindi. The company is known for its wide range of teas, including traditional black, green, and herbal blends, as well as specialty and seasonal flavors. Bigelow Tea is also committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, ensuring that its teas are both delicious and environmentally responsible.
The “Constant Comment” blend is made from high-quality black tea, which is then flavored with a blend of spices and citrus oils. The exact recipe for the blend is a closely guarded secret, but it is known to contain a mix of orange rind, sweet spice, and natural flavorings. The blend has a distinct aroma and taste, with a spicy and citrusy flavor profile that is both warming and refreshing. Constant Comment is one of the most popular and enduring tea blends in the United States, and it remains a cornerstone of the Bigelow Tea brand.
Twinings vs Bigelow
Here are some of the key differences between British Twinings tea and American Bigelow tea:
Heritage and Origins: Twinings Tea has a long history dating back to 1706 and is based in London, England. Bigelow Tea, on the other hand, was founded in 1945 and is based in Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
Tea Blends: While both companies offer a wide range of tea blends, there are some differences in their product lines. Twinings is known for its traditional black, green tea, and herbal teas, as well as specialty blends like Earl Grey and Darjeeling tea. Bigelow is known for its signature blends like Constant Comment and Vanilla Chai tea, as well as seasonal and flavored teas.
Flavor Profiles: Twinings teas tend to have a more classic and traditional flavor profile, while Bigelow teas often have more unique and bold flavors.
Packaging: Twinings teas are typically packaged in elegant, classic tins and boxes, while Bigelow teas are packaged in bright, colorful boxes with eye-catching designs.
Availability: Twinings teas are widely available in the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world, while Bigelow teas are more commonly found in the United States.
Overall, both Twinings and Bigelow are respected and popular tea brands with their own unique strengths and flavors.
British Tea Culture vs American Tea Culture
British tea culture and American tea culture have some distinct differences, including:
History and Origins: Tea has been an integral part of British culture for centuries, with tea houses and afternoon tea being popular traditions. In the United States, tea has a shorter history and is not as deeply ingrained in the culture.
Preparation: In Britain, tea is typically served with milk and sugar, and the tea is brewed in a pot and served in a china cup. In the United States, tea is often served as iced tea with lemon and sugar, and tea bags are more commonly used than loose tea leaves.
Time of Day: In Britain, tea is often consumed in the late afternoon as part of the tradition of afternoon tea. In the United States, tea is more commonly consumed in the morning or as a mid-day pick-me-up.
Social Customs: In Britain, tea is often consumed as a social activity, with friends and family gathering for tea and conversation. In the United States, tea is often consumed as a personal beverage, and is not always associated with socializing.
Tea Brands: In Britain, traditional tea brands like Twinings and PG Tips are popular, while in the United States, brands like Bigelow and Celestial Seasonings are more commonly consumed.
Tea Varieties: In Britain, black tea is the most popular variety, while in the United States, herbal and flavored teas are more popular.
Overall, while both British and American tea cultures share a love of tea, there are some distinct differences in how tea is prepared, consumed, and celebrated.
The Taste Test
On my search for similar teas, I found 5 boxes of tea that looked almost identical, 1. Jasmine Green Tea, 2. Green Tea & Mint, 3. Lemon & Ginger Herbal Infusion, 4. Earl Grey Tea and 5. Green Tea with Lemon.
Whilst the ingredients may differ slightly in each, the product title was the same (or very close!)
Jasmine Green Tea vs Jasmine Green Tea
Here’s a confession, I’m not too keen of the taste or aroma of Jasmine! I probably shouldn’t say this but it kind of reminds me of cat’s pee (sorry!). Jasmine is a super popular tea so I’m probably slightly alone in my opinion here. If I get a waft of the smell of jasmine flowers while out walking, my nose doesn’t react too well! Being blindfolded may confuse my senses, let’s hope it’s a winning taste!
Jasmine tea is a Chinese scented tea that has been scented (rather than flavoured or blended) with jasmine flowers.
Well… I still wasn’t overly keen on the taste. Twining’s Jasmine Tea was quite strong and pungent and really not for my tastes. But I was pleasantly surprised with the light and delicate taste of Bigelow’s Jasmine Green Tea. I would probably indulge in this one again. So, I’m sorry Twinings, I feel as though I’ve let the British side down but Bigelow definitely won this round.
TWININGS: Jasmine Green Tea
Ingredients: Jasmine Scented Green Tea
Box Description: Delicate jasmine flowers balanced with green tea, intertwining beautiful aromas and flavours. Deliciously fresh tasting on it’s own or after a meal.
BIGELOW: Jasmine Green Tea
Ingredients: Jasmine Green Tea
Box Description: A light aromatic experience with the gently hint of fresh-picked jasmine flowers.
WINNER: BIGELOW
Green Tea With Mint vs Green Tea With Mint
Rather than call these Moroccan mint, both Twinings and Bigelow have opted to call theirs Green Tea with Mint instead. Probably because of the type of green tea used. Traditional Moroccan mint tea is made with gunpowder green tea, spearmint and white sugar. Making fresh Moroccan mint tea is just the best! I much prefer to make my own with fresh spearmint rather than in tea bag or loose leaf form.
Both teas had very different tastes. I much preferred the taste of the Twinings Green Tea with Mint over the Bigelow Green Tea with Mint. I found the Bigelow tea rather bitter and far too bold for my tastes. I think that a spoonful of white sugar would balance the taste of this one out. The Twinings tea was lighter, sweeter and had a more minty fragrance.
This round definitely goes to Twinings. I really enjoyed drinking this one. I would definitely have this one again.
If you like green tea with mint, you may also like this Watermelon and Moroccan Mint Tea Agua Fresca recipe.
TWININGS: Green Tea with Mint
Ingredients: Green Tea, Natural Mint Flavouring, Mint Leaves
Box Description: Life doesn’t have a pause button, but this blend is the next best thing. Lively peppermint, delicate green tea and cool refreshment. Just what your day needs.
BIGELOW: Green Tea with Mint
Ingredients: Green Tea, Mint Leaves
Box Description: Our signature green blend gently kissed with mint.
WINNER: TWININGS
Lemon & Ginger Herbal Blend vs Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea With Probiotics
Of course I had to include a herbal infusion in the game. Both Twinings and Bigelow make a Lemon and Ginger blend. I never used to like the taste of ginger (only in ginger nut biscuits!) but the older I get the more I enjoy the taste. So this could be an interesting comparison.
The Twinings tea had a very strong gingery taste and I found it quite overpowering. It was so overpowering, in fact, that I couldn’t really taste the citrus notes. Which was such a shame because I love lemon tea. The Bigelow tea was super sweet and had a unique creaminess to it. It went down so well. Out of all the teas that I tried, this was the most surprising because I really loved the taste. I actually thought it would be on the strong side due to some of the ingredients such as liquorice and cinnamon but the blend was well balanced and just super.
This round goes to Bigelow, hands down!
TWININGS: Lemon & Ginger
Ingredients: Ginger Root, Natural Lemon and Ginger Flavourings with Other Natural Flavourings, Orange Leaves, Apple, Lemon Peel, Lemon Grass
Box Description: This spicy infusion will warm you up from the inside. Its lemony freshness is blended expertly with ginger root for an uplifting taste. Perfect whenever you need a little burst of sunshine.
BIGELOW: Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea plus Probiotics
Ingredients: Lemongrass, Lemon Peel, Natural Ginger and Lemon Flavours with Other Natural Flavouring, Lemon Verbena, Rose Hips, Ginger, Licorice Root, Ganeden BC (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) Citric Acid
Box Description: This recipe not only tastes delicious, it’s good for your digestion too. Our zesty blend of lemon and ginger has been combined with the probiotic BC 30.
WINNER: BIGELOW
Earl Grey Tea vs Earl Grey Tea
Ok, confession time, I much prefer other types of tea to black teas (with the exception of masala chai) So I wasn’t too sure if I was going to get this one right.
Earl Grey is a classic blended black tea flavoured with fragrant bergamot oil.
However, it was easier than I first thought to tell the difference and I did actually get this one correct. I found the Bigelow Earl Gray a little astringent and strong, I much preferred the taste of the Twinings Earl Grey. The Twinings Earl Grey was so deliciously delicate and easy to sip on.
I wondered if adding a dash of milk would sway my mind, but I still did prefer the Twinings over the Bigelow. So sorry Bigelow, this round went to Twinings.
If you love Earl Grey, you may also like this Earl grey & loquat whisky sour cocktail. (Psst you don’t need loquats to make it, I have other fruit alternatives too!!)
Did you know that Earl grey tea intoxication actually exists? Read the blog article and find out how much tea is too much tea.
TWININGS: Earl Grey
Ingredients: Black Tea, Bergamot Flavouring
Box Description: Aromatic black tea blend, scented with a citrus bergamot flavour.
BIGELOW: Earl Grey
Ingredients: Black Tea, Natural Oil of Bergamot
Box Description: Hand-picked black tea delicately blended with real oil of bergamot from Calabria, Italy.
WINNER: TWININGS
Green Tea & Lemon vs Green Tea With Lemon
Quite possibly my favourite supermarket tea… Twinings Green Tea with Lemon. Surely I could tell the difference here. Although I thought this was going to be difficult as the pressure was on to guess the correct tea, especially as this was my favourite supermarket tea bag tea.
I liked both Bigelow and Twinings offerings here, both tasted great. Surprisingly they did taste quite different. Bigelow tea had a slight creaminess and natural sweetness to it, so I would totally drink this one again. But I just love the simple citrusy-ness of the Twinings Green Tea and Lemon.
Overall, I gave this round to Twinings but it was a really close call in the taste department!
TWININGS: Green Tea & Lemon
Ingredients: Green Tea, Natural Lemon Flavouring with Other Natural Flvourings, Lemon Peel
Box Description: Need a lift? We’ve blended the fresh delicate character of green tea with just the right amount of juicy, zesty lemon - the perfect balance to brighten any day.
BIGELOW: Green Tea with Lemon
Ingredients: Green Tea, Lemon Peel, Natural Flavour
Box Description: Just a dash of lemon, that is all we needed to add to our gentle green tea to make your green tea experience complete. You get a cup of our healthy, smooth Bigelow green tea rounded out with a lovely lemon finish…oh yeah.
WINNER: TWININGS
The Verdict
Overall, Twinings won 3-2. But it was a really really close competition. First up was Jasmine Green Tea, this round went to Bigelow’s light and delicate tea. Next up was Green Tea with Mint, this went to Twinings, I really enjoyed this tea. The third offering was herbally tasting Lemon & Ginger. This one went straight to Bigelow. I was most surprised by this tea and thought that the flavours were just perfect, must be all those tasty probiotics! After this was the Earl Grey round. It’s no surprise that Twinings won this round being that Earl Grey is so classically British. Lastly, was my favourite supermarket tea bag tea, Green Tea with Lemon, of course this one just had to go to Twinings.
So, it turns out the Bigelow create some amazing teas just as Twinings do too. :)
Do you have a favorite type of tea?
Read More Articles About Tea
It is important to note that any health advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or overall health. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice.