Tetley (UK) in NYC?
So I've done a bit of looking, and I'm having no luck finding English Tetley anywhere. I stopped by Tea and Sympathy's shop and they said they stopped carrying it altogether. Butcher's Block in Sunnyside only had US Tetley for some reason. I looked at Myers of Keswick and they said they wouldn't get any more until around Easter. None of the little Indian markets I've stopped into have it either.
What gives? Has anyone seen any around?
By dranore
on Jan 5, 2009 01:05 PM
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Try the Indian stores on Lex and in Jackson Hts. Tetley is now owned by Tata, the Indian conglomerate. Ive been buying their great Elaichi (cardamon) tea out at a Subzi Mandi in NJ recently..
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I knew they were part of Tata, but I don't see why that would affect their distribution here in the states?
Can you or anyone else verify presence in any of these establishments before I venture there?
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Well, if there is a change in ownership, chances are managment changes may also result in a change in the distribution network. What's the problem with US Tetley? does it differ?
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It does differ. US tetley is just a basic black tea blend, including the "British Blend" which appears to just be 25% more black tea in the English round style pouch. There may in fact be a difference in the blend, but the box doesn't differentiate different kinds of tea.
English Tetley is a blend of Assam, African, and Ceylon.
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Yesterday I noticed that Apna Bazaar, on 37th Ave in Jackson Hts carries tetley tea with a UK flag on it. They also carry the Elaichi mentioned above as well as masala and ginger tetleys. Subzi Mandi, right next door, doesnt have the UK Tetley.
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Thanks for the tip here. I may venture out there after work today.
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Alas, I have obtained the Tetley from Apna Bazaar last night, and sadly it is the American blend. It's packaged for the US company (despite the English flag), so that isn't surprising. My guess it's a cost cutting technique. Use a cheaper blend that is similar-ish, brand it British-ish and it will be good enough.
Thank you for the lead, but the search continues.
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drat. The flavored Tetley tea I buy is packed in India.
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It IS packed in india, but it's packed for the US distributor. ::shrug:: The quest continues.
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I dont get it - what is packed matters a lot more than who packs it or who it is packed FOR. For all I know its faster for the distribution to be through the US distributor than through the UK if the ultimate source of the tea is India. Id say try the tea and then decide if you have an issue.
If I were an Indian concern and Id just bought a brand and distribution network I might want to simplify that, too. the proof is in whether the tea blend tastes as good. I think my cardomon tea is just as good as the Tetley I had in India (the exact same stuff, likely) . I hope you wind up being equally pleased with yours - or maybe you need to switch to one of the other English teas.
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I have tried it. I've been drinking it regularly. It is different. The blends are different for different distributors as they likely have independent budgets for independent markets. English tea drinkers are more finicky than the likes of us.
I'll keep looking.
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I've not seen UK Tetley but as a stopgap you might want to try Bromley's Estate Tea. It's in a few supermarkets, certainly Stop n Shop, and can sometimes be on sale at $1.99 per box of 100 bags. It is far superior to other American brands, although not as good as loose tea of course.
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I just bought a box of 80 Tetley tea bags marked "British Blend" at Target, Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. They do not carry a British Flag as shown on the American version, but they are the round tea bags with no string. The price was $2.38.
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While I appreciate the info, this isn't actually the British tea. It merely uses the British style round bags.
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you could try meyers of keswick in the WV. not entirely sure if it's the real thing but they have just about every other british condiment, biscuit, candy bar, etc
http://www.myersofkeswick.com/Product...
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How funny! I went by there today, and I just came on here to let anyone else looking know that they ( Meyers ) does have it now! ( They didn't when I originally started this thread. No one did. ) And I'm sipping on the real deal right now! I am super stoked! Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. Hopefully there stock holds up. I bought 240 bags, so I should be set into winter.
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