Origins of Our Tea are a sourcing single origin Indian Darjeeling or a Chinese Lapsang Souchong, right through to our signature classics such as Scottish Breakfast tea - or our unique and famous Heather or Whisky flavored teas - our master tea blenders sample and blend to perfection all of our teas, in small batches, here in our modern facilities. While doing so we ensure we extend the same care and passion our founder, Andrew Melrose, did when he first started importing fresh tea into Edinburgh over 200 years ago. Hand Crafted Teas Tea is an evergreen tropical plant from the Camellia Sinensis family and is produced from the green tender shoots which are picked by hand. The leaves are then withered by exposure to warm, dry air, then rolled - breaking up the cells and releasing the natural juices and enzymes which give the tea its characteristic flavor. We select teas with varying characteristics, that when combined create a pleasing, well-balanced flavor to our special blends. The next stage is fermentation when the leaves are spread out and cooled in a humid atmosphere. Finally the leaves are dried in a hot air chamber and graded by their size. Assam gives a strong malty taste, traditionally associated with a breakfast tea, while teas from Kenya and Rwanda produce the light, bright, refreshing flavor of afternoon tea. Artisan Coffee Roaster Our dedicated team of buyers work year round to source the highest quality green coffee beans from plantations around the world. Our master roaster then roasts these by hand and by eye in small batches most days in our 50 year old Probat roaster. (No matter how modern the company, Probat machines remain favored the world over by artisan coffee roasters.) Our vintage roaster is located in our modern, purpose built premises, allowing us - almost uniquely - to blend and pack our coffees within an hour of roasting them. By carrying out each and every stage of production in house we can ensure the freshness of all our coffees, ensuring you experience the subtle characteristics and delicate notes our master roasters draw out of the green, unroasted beans. Our Certifications Fairtrade Is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. Organic Food Federation Is at the forefront of promoting organic methods and maintaining high standards and best practice within the sector. New exciting opportunities for the UK’s organic producers, processors, traders and importers have been created due to the rising demand for organic products. Rainforest Alliance Is an international non-profit organization working at the intersection of business, agriculture, and forests to make responsible business the new normal. They are an alliance of companies, farmers, foresters, communities, and consumers committed to creating a world where people and nature thrive in harmony.