Lancashire Tea was founded in 2005 with one clear purpose: to give the historic county of Lancashire a tea identity of its own. Produced in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, by Keith Spicer Ltd., the blend draws on teas from Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, and Sumatra, carefully combined to produce a consistent, robust everyday cup. The brand made headlines in 2008 when it broke two Guinness World Records, using a 60kg teabag to brew 400 litres of tea outside a Preston supermarket. In 2009, the packaging was redesigned following a public vote among the brand's community, with the winning design featuring a hand-drawn map of the historic county. A social media mention from a well-known author in 2015 sent sales surging and introduced Lancashire Tea to a far wider audience. The distinctive red box is now a familiar sight across the north of England. Lancashire Tea is a bold, no-nonsense everyday black tea with a strong amber colour and a satisfying, brisk finish. It works well with milk and is very much a builder-strength brew for those who like their tea to mean something. If you prefer a lighter cup, a slightly shorter steep is the way to go. Sold in the classic 80-teabag box format. If you enjoy Lancashire Tea, our Scotch and Abram's English Breakfast Tea is our take on the bold, full-bodied British everyday blend. How to brew the perfect cup Boil fresh water and allow it to reach a full rolling boil (100°C / 212°F). Place one teabag in your mug and pour the boiling water directly over it. Steep for 3 to 4 minutes depending on your preferred strength. Remove the teabag without squeezing, then add a splash of milk to taste. How does it compare? Milder & Lighter: Typhoo Tea Similar Strength: Builders Tea Classic Rival: PG Tips Tea Lancashire Tea sits in the same bold, everyday category as Builders Tea and PG Tips, all delivering a strong amber brew that takes milk well. Typhoo is a gentler option with a lighter body, better suited to those who prefer a less assertive cup. Of the three, Lancashire Tea has the most distinctly northern English character, brisk and direct with good depth of colour.
