Twinings vs Bigelow: Which Tea Reigns Supreme?
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.
As a huge tea lover with roots in East London, I've cherished the comforting ritual of a robust builder's brew ever since I was little. This early exposure ignited my passion for exploring diverse teas, from traditional British blends to global varieties.
Tea holds a significant place in both British and American cultures, each boasting distinct traditions and preferences. In Britain, tea symbolizes elegance and social connection, while in America, tea culture reflects a blend of historical influences and regional tastes.
In this article, I will be analysing two renowned tea brands: England's Twinings and America's Bigelow. We'll examine their unique blends, flavor profiles, and packaging, shedding light on how each brand embodies the tea traditions of its homeland.
Read related post👉 Do Brits really drink a lot of tea?
Twinings Tea: A Legacy of British Excellence
History of Twinings Tea
Twinings Tea, a renowned British tea company, was founded by Thomas Twining in 1706. Originating as a coffee shop in London, England, Twinings quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality tea blends. By 1720, it had become a leading tea merchant, importing teas from China and other parts of the world.
Key milestones in Twinings' history include:
☕ 1706: Founded by Thomas Twining in London.
☕ 1720: Established as a leading tea merchant.
☕ Earl Grey Tea: Introduced the famous Earl Grey blend, flavored with bergamot oil.
Twinings Tea Blends and Global Reach
Today, Twinings offers an extensive selection of teas, sold in over 100 countries:
🖤 Black Teas (e.g., English Breakfast, Earl grey tea)
💚 Green Teas
🤍 White Teas (read more about white tea)
💛 Herbal and Specialty Blends
The Royal Warrant: A Mark of Prestige
Twinings Tea holds the esteemed Royal Warrant, awarded by Queen Victoria in 1837. This honor signifies over five generations of supplying tea to the British Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II.
Why the Royal Warrant matters for Twinings:
👑 Recognition for exceptional quality and service
👑 A symbol of trust and prestige in the United Kingdom
Bigelow Tea: American Innovation and Tradition
The Story of Bigelow Tea
Founded in 1945 by Ruth Campbell Bigelow in Fairfield, Connecticut, Bigelow Tea started with a single blend: “Constant Comment.” Inspired by a colonial cookbook recipe, this tea became a nationwide sensation, laying the foundation for the family-owned Bigelow brand.
Key facts about Bigelow Tea:
☕ 75+ years of tea-making excellence in the United States
☕ Committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing
☕ Still family-owned, now run by Ruth's descendants
Bigelow’s Signature Blend: Constant Comment
Constant Comment is Bigelow’s most famous blend, featuring:
🍊 Black tea flavored with orange rind, sweet spices, and natural flavorings
🌟 A spicy and citrusy flavor that’s both warming and refreshing
🔐 A secret recipe, making it a cornerstone of the Bigelow Tea brand
Bigelow Tea Varieties
Bigelow offers a wide selection of teas, including:
🖤 Traditional Black Teas
💚 Green Teas
💛 Herbal Blends
🎃 Seasonal and Specialty Flavors
A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Twinings (UK) 🫖 | Bigelow (US) ☕ |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1706 – over 300 years of history | 1945 – family-owned since day one |
| Signature Blends | Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling | Constant Comment, Vanilla Chai, Green Tea |
| Flavour Style | Classic, refined, elegant | Bold, aromatic, adventurous |
| Packaging | Traditional, timeless | Bright, modern, eye-catching |
| Availability | Widely global | Mostly US + online retailers |
Quick Takeaways
Best for tradition: Twinings 🫖
Best for bold experiments: Bigelow ☕
Best for iced tea: Bigelow holds up stronger when chilled ☕
Everyday favourite: Twinings for a consistent daily cup 🫖
Twinings vs Bigelow: Which Tea Brand Suits Your Taste?
Looking for the perfect cup of tea? Let’s compare Twinings, the iconic British tea brand, with Bigelow, a beloved American tea company. From history and flavours to packaging and availability, here’s everything you need to know to choose the right brew for you.
Heritage and Origins
🫖 Twinings Tea: Established in 1706 in London, England, Twinings boasts over 300 years of tea-making history. Known for introducing Earl Grey to the world, it remains a symbol of British tea culture and refinement.
☕ Bigelow Tea: Founded in 1945 in Fairfield, Connecticut, Bigelow is a family-owned American tea brand. Its first blend, “Constant Comment”, quickly became a household favourite, known for its unique spice and citrus flavour.
Signature Tea Blends
Both brands offer an extensive variety of teas, but each has its specialties:
Twinings’ Signature Teas:
🖤 Black Teas: English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling
💚 Green Teas: Classic and flavored options
🤍 Herbal and White Teas: Soothing and aromatic blends
Bigelow’s Signature Teas:
🍊 Constant Comment®: Bigelow’s iconic blend with citrus and spices
🍂 Vanilla Chai: A bold, aromatic tea perfect for a comforting brew
🎃 Seasonal and Flavoured Teas: From Pumpkin Spice to Lemon Ginger
Flavour Profiles
🫖 Twinings: Offers refined, traditional flavors, ideal for those who prefer subtle, classic blends like Earl Grey and Darjeeling tea.
☕ Bigelow: Known for vibrant, bold flavors, including spicy chai and zesty citrus blends, perfect for tea lovers seeking something unique and exciting.
Packaging
🫖 Twinings Packaging: Elegant tins and classic boxes, reflecting its heritage and sophistication—perfect for gifting or displaying in a tea collection.
☕ Bigelow Packaging: Bright, colorful boxes with bold designs, appealing to modern consumers and perfect for everyday convenience.
Availability
🫖 Twinings: Available in over 100 countries, including the UK, Europe, and international markets.
☕ Bigelow: Primarily found in the United States, with growing international availability through online retailers.
Which Tea Brand Is Right for You?
🫖 Choose Twinings if you prefer classic, traditional flavours with a touch of British elegance.
☕ Choose Bigelow if you’re looking for bold, unique flavours and an American twist on your daily cup.
Why not try both and discover your favourite tea experience?
UK vs USA Tea Culture: Rituals, Serving Styles & Flavour Trends
British tea culture and American tea culture both celebrate tea, but they differ significantly in traditions, preparation methods, and popular tea varieties. This article explores these differences, helping you understand how tea plays a unique role in each culture.
History and Origins of Tea in Britain and America
🫖 British Tea Culture: Tea has been a cornerstone of British society for centuries, with traditions like afternoon tea, high tea, and the establishment of iconic tea houses. Tea became popular in Britain in the 17th century, symbolizing sophistication and social status.
☕ American Tea Culture: In contrast, American tea culture has a shorter history, gaining popularity after the Boston Tea Party in the 18th century. While tea isn’t as culturally ingrained in the U.S., it has evolved with diverse flavors and innovative brewing methods.
Tea Preparation: Hot vs Iced, Loose Leaf vs Tea Bags
🫖 British Tea Preparation:
Brewed using loose leaf tea in a teapot
Served in china cups with milk and sugar
Emphasis on proper steeping time for full flavor
☕ American Tea Preparation:
Commonly served as iced tea with lemon and sugar
Tea bags are more popular for convenience
Flavored teas like peach, mint, and chai are widely consumed
When Tea Is Enjoyed: Afternoon Tradition vs Anytime Refreshment
🫖 Britain: Tea is synonymous with afternoon tea, traditionally served with scones, sandwiches, and pastries. The ritual of afternoon tea is both social and ceremonial.
☕ United States: Tea is typically enjoyed throughout the day, particularly as a morning beverage or mid-day refreshment, often replacing coffee.
Social Customs: A Shared Experience vs Personal Enjoyment
🫖 British Social Tea Customs:
Tea is central to social gatherings, family conversations, and formal events.
Hosting a tea party remains a symbol of hospitality.
☕ American Social Tea Customs:
Tea is often consumed individually, either at home or on the go.
While tea parties exist, they’re less common and often reserved for special occasions.
Popular Tea Brands in Britain and America
🫖 British Favorites:
Twinings: Known for classic blends like Earl Grey and English Breakfast
PG Tips: Famous for strong black teas, perfect for a robust brew
☕ American Favorites:
Bigelow: Creator of the iconic “Constant Comment” blend
Celestial Seasonings: Popular for herbal teas and wellness blends
Tea Varieties: Bold Black Teas vs Flavourful Herbal Blends
🫖 Britain:
Black tea dominates, with blends like Assam, Darjeeling, and Ceylon being staples.
Green teas and herbal infusions are less common but are gaining popularity.
☕ United States:
Herbal teas, such as chamomile, peppermint, and fruit blends, are more popular.
Iced teas flavored with lemon, peach, and raspberry are American favorites, especially in the South.
You may also like to read 👉 How to make iced tea
Cultural Impact: Tea as Tradition vs Tea as Innovation
🫖 British Tea Culture: Deeply rooted in history, elegance, and tradition, tea in Britain is seen as a cultural institution that reflects refinement and grace.
☕ American Tea Culture: Defined by innovation, convenience, and diversity, American tea culture embraces creative flavours, functional teas, and on-the-go consumption.
You may also like to read 👉 The history of afternoon tea
Twinings vs Bigelow: The Ultimate Tea Taste Test
Are you curious about how Twinings compares to Bigelow when it comes to popular tea blends? In this taste test, I compared five best-selling teas from these two beloved brands:
Jasmine Green Tea
Green Tea & Mint
Lemon & Ginger Herbal Infusion
Earl Grey Tea
Green Tea with Lemon
Read on for detailed flavour comparisons, ingredient breakdown, and my honest verdict on which brand brews the better cup!
1. Jasmine Green Tea: Twinings vs Bigelow
Flavour Comparison:
Confession: Jasmine tea isn’t my favourite, its floral aroma reminds me of jasmine flowers in bloom, which doesn’t quite appeal to my senses. However, I gave both teas a fair shot!
My Tasting Notes:
🫖 Twinings Jasmine Green Tea: Strong and pungent aroma, a bit overpowering for my taste.
☕ Bigelow Jasmine Green Tea: Surprisingly light and delicate; I would definitely drink this again.
🏆 Winner: Bigelow Jasmine Green Tea ☕ Its balanced flavour and subtle aroma made it the clear winner.
2. Green Tea with Mint: Twinings vs Bigelow
What Sets Them Apart?
While both brands label this as Green Tea with Mint (instead of Moroccan mint tea), the flavour differences are striking.
Flavour Review:
🫖 Twinings Green Tea with Mint: Light, sweet, and refreshingly mint, perfect for a mid-day break.
☕ Bigelow Green Tea with Mint: Bolder with a bitter edge; a spoonful of sugar could balance it out.
🏆 Winner: Twinings Green Tea with Mint 🫖 Its lighter flavour and sweet mint fragrance stole the show.
🔗 Related Recipe: Check out my Watermelon & Moroccan Mint Tea Agua Fresca, a perfect summer refresher!
3. Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea: Twinings vs Bigelow
A Battle of Bold Flavours
I’ve grown to love ginger teas, and this comparison was full of surprises!
Taste Comparison:
🫖 Twinings Lemon & Ginger: The ginger flavour was a bit overpowering, overshadowing the citrus notes.
☕ Bigelow Lemon & Ginger (with Probiotics): Sweet, creamy, and perfectly balanced, a lovely surprise!
🏆 Winner: Bigelow Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea 🫖 The addition of probiotics and a smooth finish made this an easy win.
4. Earl Grey Tea: Twinings vs Bigelow
Classic British Flavour Face-Off
Earl Grey is a timeless blend flavoured with bergamot oil, and I wasn’t sure which would win, but the results are in!
Flavour Notes:
🫖 Twinings Earl Grey: Delicate and smooth, with the perfect hint of citrus bergamot.
☕ Bigelow Earl Grey: Slightly astringent and too strong for my liking.
🏆 Winner: Twinings Earl Grey 🫖 A true British classic that’s hard to beat!
🔗 Love Earl Grey tea? Try this Earl Grey Whisky Sour Cocktail
5. Green Tea with Lemon: Twinings vs Bigelow
My Favourite Supermarket Tea Showdown
This was a tough one because Twinings Green Tea with Lemon is one of my all-time favorites!
Flavor Test:
🫖 Twinings Green Tea with Lemon: Bright, zesty, and citrusy, exactly what I love.
☕ Bigelow Green Tea with Lemon: Slightly creamy and sweet, surprisingly pleasant.
🏆 Winner: Twinings Green Tea with Lemon 🫖 A simple yet perfect citrus blend that remains my go-to.
🎉 Final Verdict: Twinings vs Bigelow
| Tea Blend | Twinings | Bigelow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasmine Green Tea | Strong and pungent aroma, a bit overpowering | Light, delicate, balanced, easy to drink | ☕ Bigelow Jasmine Green Tea |
| Green Tea with Mint | Light, sweet, and refreshingly minty | Bolder with a bitter edge, sugar could balance | 🫖 Twinings Green Tea with Mint |
| Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea | Ginger overpowering, citrus notes muted | Sweet, creamy, perfectly balanced with probiotics | ☕ Bigelow Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea |
| Earl Grey Tea | Delicate, smooth, citrus bergamot balanced | Slightly astringent, too strong | 🫖 Twinings Earl Grey |
| Green Tea with Lemon | Bright, zesty, citrusy, a classic favorite | Slightly creamy and sweet, pleasant | 🫖 Twinings Green Tea with Lemon |
| Final Score | 3 Wins | 2 Wins | Twinings takes the crown 🏆 |
Twinings vs Bigelow FAQs
1. What are the main differences between Twinings and Bigelow tea?
Twinings, a British brand, offers a wide range of traditional blends with a focus on classic flavors such Earl Grey and English Breakfast. Bigelow, an American brand, is known for its innovative flavors, including herbal and flavored teas, with a strong emphasis on freshness and family recipes.
2. Which tea brand is better for iced tea: Twinings or Bigelow?
Bigelow teas are often preferred for iced tea in the U.S. due to their robust and flavorful blends that hold up well when chilled. However, Twinings also offers select blends, such as English Breakfast, that make refreshing iced tea with a more traditional flavor profile.
3. How do Twinings and Bigelow source their tea leaves?
Twinings sources its tea leaves from trusted growers worldwide, focusing on sustainability and ethical sourcing. Bigelow also prioritizes responsible sourcing, with many of its teas certified as non-GMO and organic, reflecting its commitment to quality and environmental responsibility.
4. Are Twinings and Bigelow teas available in loose leaf and tea bags
Twinings offers both loose leaf teas and tea bags, catering to those who prefer a traditional brewing method or convenience. Bigelow primarily focuses on individually wrapped tea bags, which help preserve freshness and flavor but also offers some loose-leaf options.
5. Which tea brand is more suitable for afternoon tea?
Twinings is often the go-to choice for a classic British afternoon tea experience, offering refined blends like Darjeeling, Earl Grey, and Assam. Bigelow's variety of flavored and herbal teas can also complement afternoon tea, especially for those seeking caffeine-free or unique flavor options.
6. What makes Twinings tea unique?
Twinings stands out for its centuries-old heritage, refined flavors such as Earl Grey, and a global reputation for quality.
7. Why is Bigelow’s “Constant Comment” so popular?
It features a secret recipe combining black tea, orange rind, and spices, offering a warm, citrusy flavor much loved across America.
8. Which tea is better for making iced tea?
Bigelow’s bold flavors make it ideal for iced tea, while Twinings’ green and herbal blends offer refreshing iced tea options with a traditional touch.
9. Are Twinings and Bigelow teas ethically sourced?
Yes. Both brands emphasize ethical sourcing and sustainability, ensuring high-quality teas that are environmentally responsible.
10. Can I buy Bigelow teas internationally?
While Bigelow is a U.S. based brand, its teas are available internationally through online retailers and select specialty stores.
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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.