Twist Teas

What Twist Teas does

Twist Teas is a UK-based specialty tea company (trading name of Pollards Farm Ltd, company number 10251363) that designs, hand-blends, and sells whole-leaf teas, herbal tisanes, and matcha products. Founded in October 2016 in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, by mother-and-daughter co-founders Nicky and Claire, the company operates with a 1-10 employee headcount and is bootstrapped, with no disclosed external funding. The product range spans 50+ blends across black, green, matcha, rooibos, fruit and herbal, chai, oolong, and functional 'Well Being' categories, plus seasonal limited editions and a 'Puds Without Sin' guilt-free dessert tea range. Core technical differentiators are hand blending in small batches (rather than machine blending), use of whole-leaf rather than dust/fanning grade tea, and plastic-free corn-silk pyramid tea bags sealed with ultrasound rather than glue.

The business sells through two channels: a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at twist-teas.co.uk offering individual SKUs, gift boxes, gift cards, and a £15.30/month Monthly Tea Subscription, and a dedicated B2B trade portal at trade.twist-teas.co.uk serving hotels, restaurants, cafes, and independent retailers with wholesale pricing, free caddies, menu design, co-branding, and next-day delivery. The company explicitly does not sell through supermarket chains, using that exclusivity as a brand and trade-margin differentiator. Consumer pricing ranges from £6 to £40 per product, with international shipping to Europe and the United States. Credentials include 21 Great Taste Awards, B Corp certification, SALSA food safety accreditation, FSC packaging certification, and Living Wage Employer status, used as primary marketing trust signals.

Revenue mechanics combine transactional e-commerce, a recurring subscription layer, and B2B trade/wholesale sales, with the trade channel positioned as a strategic growth pillar. The company has no mobile app, no disclosed API or platform integrations beyond mainstream payment processors, and no documented AI/ML capabilities; the underlying technology stack is craft-based rather than software-based.

Name

Twist Teas

Legal name

Pollards Farm Ltd

Website

https://twist-teas.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Twist Teas is a bootstrapped UK specialty tea company (Pollards Farm Ltd, founded 2016) that hand-blends 50+ whole-leaf teas, tisanes, and matcha, selling direct-to-consumer via its own e-commerce site and to hospitality and independent retail through a dedicated B2B trade portal, exclusively outside supermarkets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Tea and Herbal Tisanes

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)

akta.pro primary industry

Tea (Leaf, Bagged, Instant, Concentrates) (CRADAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tea Blending & Flavoring (AFAFADAG), Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ)

Keywords

• Specialty tea
• Herbal tisanes
• Whole leaf tea
• Tea subscription
• Hand blended tea

Headquarters

HQ city

Harpenden

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Twist Teas sells directly to consumers through its e-commerce storefront (twist-teas.co.uk). Customers can purchase individual tea products, gift boxes, gift cards, and monthly tea subscriptions. Products are available in multiple formats including pyramid tea bags and loose leaf, in various sizes from sample tins to bulk quantities.
2. Trade / Wholesale B2B Sales: Twist Teas operates a dedicated trade portal (trade.twist-teas.co.uk) targeting hospitality businesses (hotels, restaurants, cafes) and retail establishments. Trade customers receive wholesale pricing, free caddies and menu design materials, co-branding options, and next-day delivery. Exclusively trade — not sold in supermarkets.
3. Monthly Tea Subscription: The company offers a monthly tea subscription service (Monthly Tea Subscription) priced at £15.30/month (discounted from £17.00), providing recurring subscription revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Twist Teas is a UK-based specialty tea company that hand-blends whole-leaf teas, herbal tisanes, and matcha products in the UK. Products are sold direct-to-consumer through an e-commerce storefront and to hospitality and retail businesses through a dedicated trade/wholesale portal. The portfolio spans 50+ blends across black tea, green tea, matcha, rooibos, fruit/herbal, chai, and seasonal ranges, often combined with functional botanicals for health and wellbeing benefits.

Product overview

Twist Teas is a UK-based specialty tea company founded in October 2016 by mother-daughter team Nicky and Claire. The company offers a diverse portfolio of hand-blended whole-leaf teas and tisanes, primarily sold through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and a dedicated trade/wholesale channel. The product range includes core blends across multiple categories: Black Tea (English Breakfast, Chai blends, Earl Grey variants), Green Tea (Sencha-based blends, Matcha products), Rooibos and Fruit & Herbal tisanes, and seasonal limited editions. The company distinguishes itself through functional ingredients added to blends for wellness benefits, a commitment to whole-leaf quality, plastic-free packaging, and hand-blending processes. Key product lines include the Core Range of best-selling blends, the Pud Without Sin guilt-free dessert teas, Functional Blends targeting specific wellness outcomes, Tea Lattes and Matcha products, and seasonal Christmas and occasion-specific offerings. The company also offers subscription services, curated tasting menus, and gift packaging for both retail and trade customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monthly Tea Subscription Recurring subscription service delivering curated tea selections monthly to subscribers at £15.30/month (discounted from £17.00). Targets individual consumers seeking ongoing premium tea discovery and convenience.
• A5 Tasting Menus Curated tasting experience featuring a selection of Twist Teas blends presented in an A5-format gift box, priced at £14.00. Targets consumers seeking gifting or self-sampling options.
• Four Section Gift Box Gift box featuring four compartments for displaying and sampling multiple Twist Teas blends, priced at £39.00. Targets consumers and trade customers seeking premium gifting or sampling formats.
• Gift Card Digital gift cards available in denominations from £10 to £100 for recipient-selected tea purchases. Provides flexible gifting for both consumer and trade contexts.
• English Breakfast Tea (TwentyFourSeven) Signature malty, full-bodied English Breakfast Tea blend featuring organic Indian Assam and Kenyan black teas. Available in pyramid tea bags and loose-leaf formats from £6.00 to £40.00. Multiple Great Taste Award winner.
• Classic Earl Classic Earl Grey tea blend featuring black tea with bergamot flavouring. Available in pyramid tea bags and loose-leaf formats from £6.00 to £40.00. Great Taste Award-winning blend.
• All Day Decaf Premium organic Sri Lankan Black Tea decaffeinated using liquid carbon dioxide, suitable for any time of day. Available in pyramid tea bags and loose-leaf formats from £6.00 to £40.00.
• Sweet Chai Of Mine Black tea-based chai blend combining Indian Assam with aromatic spices including ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, aniseed, cloves, black peppercorns and chilli. Designed to be served with milk and sweetener.
• Vanilla Chai Mellow chai combining Indian Assam and Sri Lankan black teas with spices and vanilla pieces; the sweeter variant of the Sweet Chai of Mine blend.
• Breakfast Boost Full-bodied breakfast blend combining Indian Assam and Ceylon black teas with added yerba mate and Siberian ginseng for morning energy. Part of the Functional Blends range.
• Earl Great Ceylon Black Tea blend with bergamot oil, orange blossom, and lemon peel, elevated with functional herbs including Siberian ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and gotu kola.
• Refresher Green Revitalising green tea blend with Sencha as the main ingredient, combined with ginkgo biloba, gotu kola, and Siberian ginseng for a natural energy lift without bitter aftertaste.
• Cocoa-Nut Green Green tea blend combining Japanese Sencha with toasted rice, coconut, and cocoa for a smooth, nutty taste with subtle chocolate notes.
• Peppermint Matcha Matcha blend combining premium powdered Japanese Sencha Green Tea with peppermint and maca, designed to provide a refreshing lift with energy boost.
• Cocoa Matcha Matcha blend combining premium powdered Japanese Sencha Green Tea with raw cocoa and cocoa powder for a chocolatey taste without added sugars.
• Pure Matcha Tea Premium Japanese matcha powder made from Tencha Green Tea leaves grown in shade to boost chlorophyll content for enhanced nutritional benefits.
• Matcha Tea Sticks Convenient matcha stick format for easy preparation of single servings, available in flavours including Cocoa Matcha and Turmeric Cocoa Matcha.
• Turmeric Cocoa Matcha Tea Sticks Matcha blend combining premium Tencha Green Tea with turmeric, raw cacao, ginger, and black peppercorns for a spicy chocolate taste with wellness benefits; 20 servings per pack.
• Chamomile Yawn Caffeine-free tisane blend marketed as a sleep aid, featuring chamomile as the primary ingredient. Available from £6.00 to £40.00. Great Taste Award winner.
• Lemon & Ginger Caffeine-free fruit and herbal tisane blend combining lemon and ginger; classified as a best seller.
• Propermint Caffeine-free peppermint tisane blend, classified as a best seller and marketed for its refreshing qualities.
• Super Berries Fruit and herbal blend featuring summer berries; Great Taste Award winner and part of the fruit and herbal category.
• After Eat Peppermint-based tisane with cocoa shells and nibs, marketed for digestive benefits after meals; Great Taste Award winner.
• Detox Rooibos-based functional blend with cleansing turmeric, ginger, and coconut; part of the Functional Blends range designed for everyday wellness.
• Banana Shake Caffeine-free rooibos blend featuring banana flavouring with no added sugar; part of the Pud Without Sin guilt-free dessert tea range and Great Taste Award winner.
• Lemon Drizzle Lemon-scented rooibos infusion with lemon peel, lemon verbena, and chamomile; part of the Pud Without Sin guilt-free range, reminiscent of lemon drizzle cake.
• Ginger Snap Caffeine-free fruit and herbal tisane blend with ginger notes, part of the fruit and herbal range.
• Pure Rooibos Pure rooibos tisane made from the red bush plant grown only in South Africa's Cederberg region; naturally caffeine-free with antioxidant properties.
• Mulled Wine Limited edition festive tisane blend featuring hibiscus combined with apple pieces, citrus, and festive spices; described as Christmas in a cup with no alcohol.
• Yule Log Festive rooibos-based chocolate-flavoured dessert tea designed as a guilt-free chocolate alternative for Christmas.
• Royal Tea Fruity and floral blend commissioned by HRH Princess Michael of Kent, featuring rose, cinnamon, pear, apple, orange peel, and hibiscus.
• Chocolate Cake Festive rooibos-based dessert tea designed to replicate chocolate cake flavour for guilt-free indulgence.
• Cream Tea Sri Lankan Black Tea blend with fruity notes of strawberries and cream, designed to complement traditional cream teas.
• Brewdolph Festive black tea blend marketed as a Christmas-themed alternative to mulled wine or beer.
• Red Velvet Oolong Oolong tea blend from the company's specialty tea range.
• Wholly Smoke Black tea and oolong blend featuring smoky flavour notes.
• Trade / Wholesale Programme Dedicated B2B trade programme targeting hotels, restaurants, cafés, and independent retail businesses via trade.twist-teas.co.uk. Includes wholesale pricing, free caddies, menu design materials, co-branding options, exclusive seasonal blends, and next-day delivery before 12pm. No minimum order requirement. Exclusively trade — not sold in supermarkets.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21 Great Taste Awards (industry recognition for flavour quality)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Teapigs: UK-based premium whole-leaf tea brand with a focus on quality ingredients, distinctive packaging, and both D2C and hospitality distribution. Directly comparable as a UK specialty tea company with similar premium positioning, pyramid tea bags, and a comparable product breadth.
• Pukka Herbs: UK-based herbal and functional tea brand with a strong focus on organic, ayurvedic-inspired blends and sustainability credentials. Comparable to Twist Teas in the functional/wellness tea category, B Corp positioning, and broad multi-SKU portfolio.
• Jing Tea: UK-based premium loose-leaf tea company with strong presence in high-end hospitality and restaurants. Directly comparable as a premium UK tea brand with whole-leaf quality, hospitality channel focus, and similar price-point positioning.
• Bird & Blend Tea Co. UK-based specialty tea company selling creative, often dessert-inspired blends via D2C e-commerce and own retail stores. Closely comparable as a UK premium D2C-first tea brand with playful branding, gift-box focus, and a similar broad SKU portfolio.
• The Rare Tea Company: UK-based premium specialty tea company sourcing single-estate and rare teas. Comparable as a UK-based premium tea brand with direct relationships to tea estates, focus on whole-leaf quality, and similar target market of quality-conscious consumers.

Broad incumbents

• Clipper Tea: UK-based ethical tea brand (owned by Wessanen) focused on fair-trade, organic teas across mainstream retail. Comparable in the UK tea category with sustainability credentials, though distributed primarily through supermarkets rather than exclusively direct.
• Fortnum & Mason: Iconic UK heritage retailer with a significant premium tea range including own-blend teas and gift assortments. Comparable in premium/gift positioning and UK hospitality/hotel partnerships, though operates as a much broader luxury retailer.
• Twinings: Iconic UK heritage tea brand with deep roots in the UK market, broad mass-market and premium ranges, and significant hospitality distribution. Comparable as a UK tea company with strong hospitality presence, though at vastly larger scale and with supermarket distribution.
• Whittard of Chelsea: Long-established UK tea and hot beverages brand with a wide range of loose-leaf teas, gifts, and own retail stores. Comparable as a UK premium tea brand selling to consumers and hospitality, but at much larger scale and with broader product breadth.

Emerging players

• Tregothnan Tea: UK-grown tea company from Cornwall producing premium English-grown teas. Comparable as a UK specialty tea brand with strong provenance story and gift/occasion positioning, though smaller scale and geographically distinct.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://twist-teas.co.uk
• Xx.com/TwistTeas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://twist-teas.co.uk

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Twist Teas