the 1872 clipper tea

What the 1872 clipper tea does

The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. is a Singapore-based specialty tea company that sources, blends, and distributes premium teas through retail, e-commerce, and B2B channels. Founded in 1872 by Balage Porolis De Silva as part of the B.P. De Silva Group (a 5th-generation diversified holdings company that also operates B.P. De Silva Jewellers and RISIS), the tea business is now led by fifth-generation CEO Rehan Amarasuriya and operated through the legal entity NAVA 1872 Pte. Ltd. headquartered at 14 Kung Chong Road, Singapore. The company sells a portfolio spanning single-origin teas (Nuwara Eliya from Sri Lanka, Milk Oolong and Alishan Oolong from Taiwan), signature blends (Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Longan Paradise, Teh Tarik, Kaya Toast), caffeine-free tisanes, curated gift collections, and seasonal collaborations. Technology deployments include Modbar Tea extraction systems in Tea Bar locations for precision brewing and proprietary tea grading and origin-traceability technology across the supply chain. The Sri Lankan factory holds FSSC 22000, Halal, and Fairtrade certifications.

Revenue is generated across four streams: (1) direct-to-consumer retail tea sales via clippertea.com.sg and three Tea Bar & Boutique locations, (2) wholesale and B2B supply to 500+ cafés, restaurants, and hotels across Singapore, (3) corporate gifting and private label solutions with dedicated account management, and (4) Tea Bar dine-in experiences and catering. Unit pricing ranges from approximately $19-$57 SGD for individual teas to $30-$128 SGD for premium accessories and kits; a $80 SGD free-shipping threshold applies to Singapore online orders. Distribution extends to 40+ countries through trade partnerships spanning Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar), East Asia (Hong Kong, Japan), and the Middle East (Qatar). Customer segmentation spans tea enthusiasts and specialty consumers (primary), B2B hospitality operators (primary), corporate and MICE gifting clients (primary), and tourists and travel-retail buyers (secondary). The company runs a Tea Club membership for email-driven retention and has earned Great Taste Award stars on multiple products between 2015 and 2019.

Name

the 1872 clipper tea

Legal name

NAVA 1872 Pte. Ltd.

Website

https://clippertea.com.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. is a Singapore-based specialty tea company that sources, blends, and distributes premium Ceylon and Asian teas through retail Tea Bars, e-commerce, and wholesale supply to 500+ hospitality venues across 40+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Tea

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Tea Blending & Flavoring (AFAFADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tea (Leaf, Bagged, Instant, Concentrates) (CRADAHAE), Specialty Coffee & Tea (Single-Origin, Micro-lot, Premium) Processing (AFAFADAJ), Tea Rooms & Tea Cafes (THAFADAF)

Keywords

• Specialty tea retail
• Wholesale tea supply
• Corporate tea gifting
• Private label tea
• Tea bar services

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Tea Sales: Direct-to-consumer sale of specialty teas through e-commerce website and physical Tea Bar & Boutique locations. Products include single origin teas, signature blends, caffeine-free tisanes, limited releases, and tea accessories. Both pyramid tea bags and loose leaf formats are offered.
2. Wholesale & B2B Tea Supply: Supply of teas to cafés, restaurants, hotels, and retailers across Singapore (500+ venues) and internationally in 40+ countries. Products include pyramid tea bags, envelope tea bags, and loose leaf teas in formats suited for dining and retail.
3. Corporate Gifting & Private Label: Bespoke tea gift sets, customized packaging, and branded private label solutions for corporate clients. End-to-end services from sourcing and blending to packaging, with dedicated account management.
4. Tea Bar Dine-in & Catering: In-store tea service at Tea Bar & Boutique locations using Modbar Tea technology. Events and catering services with bespoke tea menus for corporate and private gatherings. Mooncake and tea pairing experiences offered seasonally.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. sources, blends, and sells premium specialty teas — including single-origin teas (Ceylon, Taiwanese Oolong), signature blends, caffeine-free tisanes, and curated gift sets — through its own e-commerce storefront, Tea Bar & Boutique retail locations, and wholesale/B2B channels. The company also operates Tea Bar dine-in experiences using Modbar extraction technology, provides corporate gifting and bespoke private label solutions, and distributes internationally through trade partners in 40-plus countries.

Product overview

The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. is a Singapore-based specialty tea company offering a portfolio of single-origin teas, signature blends, caffeine-free tisanes, and curated gift sets. The core product lines include: Single Origin teas (Nuwara Eliya from Sri Lanka, Milk Oolong and Alishan Oolong from Taiwan); Signature Blends (Timeless Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Longan Paradise, Summer Passion Fruit, Kaya Toast, Teh Tarik, Lychee Fiesta); Caffeine-Free Tisanes (Anti-Stress, Blissful Berries, Healing Garden, Peppermint, Chamomile, Creature Comforts); and Gift Collections (Singapore Orchid Tea Collection, Essentials Tea Collection, Herbals & Blossoms Tea Collection, Travel Journal, Travel Luggage). The company also offers seasonal food products (Made To Gather Snowskin Mooncake Collection with Tong Heng), tea accessories (Matcha In Ceremony Kit, HARIO products), and operates Tea Bar & Boutique locations. Business services include wholesale partnerships, corporate gifting, private label solutions, and global trade/export. Products are distributed through retail stores, online e-commerce, and wholesale to cafes, restaurants, and hotels across 40+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nuwara Eliya Single origin Ceylon black tea from Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka — dubbed the 'champagne of Ceylon' — with bright sparkling aromas, delicate floral and grassy notes, medium body, and deep gold brew color. For specialty tea purists.
• Milk Oolong Single origin Oolong tea from Nantou County, Taiwan, with distinct buttery smooth texture and delicate floral notes. Great Taste Awards 2019 winner.
• Alishan Oolong Single origin Oolong from Taiwan's Alishan mountains, celebrated for enchanting flowery and fruity fragrances with a sweet, smooth flavor profile.
• Somerset Tea Limited-season high-grown Ceylon tea from Somerset Estate in Sri Lanka's Dimbula region, crafted during peak Dimbula Quality Season with light, bright liquor and exceptional clarity.
• Timeless Earl Grey Modern interpretation of classic Earl Grey combining robust Ceylon black tea with bright bergamot, cornflower petals, and a hint of cream. Great Taste Award 2015 winner.
• Earl Grey Classic Earl Grey with finest Ceylon black teas and distinctive bergamot fragrance with gentle citrus undertones. Great Taste Award 2018 winner.
• English Breakfast Strong, brisk Ceylon black tea from the Dimbula region of Sri Lanka with a bold character suited for morning rituals; available in 24 envelope sachet boxes.
• Classic English Breakfast Bold, robust Ceylon black tea enjoyable pure or with milk for morning awakening.
• Longan Paradise Award-winning blend of Ceylon black and green tea combined with apple, lychee, mangosteen, and guava. Great Taste Awards 2019 winner.
• Summer Passion Fruit Tropical blend of Ceylon black tea with passion fruit flavoring and marigold flowers; tangy tropical fruit notes ideal for summer iced tea.
• Kaya Toast Singapore-inspired tea blend capturing the essence of creamy kaya on toast with Ceylon Black Tea, Pandan, Sencha, Coconut Cuts, and Caramel Flavouring. Part of the Curiosities of Clipper collection.
• Teh Tarik Singapore-inspired Ceylon black tea with creamy milk and caramel, evoking the iconic frothy tea from local markets; available in a mini collectible tin with 8 pyramid sachets.
• Lychee Fiesta Chinese Jasmine green tea blended with lychee, mangosteen, and rose petals; tropical refreshing experience and Great Taste Awards 2019 winner.
• Lychee By The Bay Tropical blend with lychee and mango combined with Nuwara Eliya Ceylon black tea; inspired by Singapore's vibrant colors and stories. Part of Curiosities of Clipper collection.
• Gem of 1872 Premium Nuwara Eliya tea with minty green notes, soft florals, and smooth finish; honors the founding legacy of B.P. de Silva. Part of Curiosities of Clipper collection.
• Anti-Stress Calming caffeine-free herbal blend with chamomile, lemongrass, ginseng, and honey, sourced from Germany, designed to soothe the mind and restore tranquility.
• Blissful Berries Caffeine-free infusion of hibiscus and sweet berries; Great Taste Awards 2016 winner.
• Healing Garden Balanced caffeine-free blend of nature's healing herbs supporting immunity and easing minor ailments.
• Peppermint Refreshing caffeine-free peppermint tea naturally soothing for digestion.
• Chamomile Whole chamomile flowers sourced from Egypt's Nile River fields; best enjoyed with honey for enhanced soothing sweetness.
• Creature Comforts (Passionflower Chamomile) Caffeine-free chamomile base with gentle honey-like floral notes and light earthy finish; infused with passionflower and subtle passionfruit for spa-like relaxation.
• Rainbow Rooibos Premium caffeine-free rooibos from Western Cape province of South Africa, naturally sweet. Available in 30 pyramid sachet tin and 100g pouch.
• Singapore Orchid Tea Collection Trio of signature Ceylon blends with local flavors and orchid-infused teas — Orchid Bloom (cranberry and cream), Halia Blossom (ginger and cream), Dragon Eye Bouquet (tropical fruits).
• Essentials Tea Collection Curated collection of three signature blends — Timeless Earl Grey, Classic English Breakfast, and Japanese Sencha — each with 8 pyramid sachets.
• Herbals & Blossoms Tea Collection Caffeine-free collection of herbs and blossoms featuring Peace of Mind, Anti-Stress, and Healing Garden blends.
• Travel Journal Tea gift set styled as a travel journal with 16 sachets from Essentials and Tropics ranges including English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green Tea, Garden Tea, Passion Fruit, Mango, Peach, and Lychee.
• Travel Luggage Tea gift set packaged as travel luggage with 16 pyramid sachets featuring 8 different teas including Chamomile, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Classic English Breakfast, Evergreen, Jasmine Blossom, Longan Paradise, and Timeless Earl Grey.
• Made To Gather Snowskin Mooncake Collection Limited Mid-Autumn collaboration with Tong Heng featuring four tea-inspired snowskin mooncakes: Black Tea Lotus, Matcha Red Bean, Berry Peach Oolong, and Earl Grey Pistachio. Available for pre-order with fixed seasonal collection windows.
• Matcha In Ceremony Kit Matcha preparation kit created with HARIO featuring heatproof glass Double-Walled Matcha Chawan (300ml), Chasen Stand, Chasen Whisk, Chashaku Scooper, and Tea Sifter, paired with Ito En Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder.
• Ito En Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder Premium matcha powder traditionally reserved for Japanese tea ceremonies (Chanoyu); single-sourced from Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, from first flush tea leaves with deep emerald hue, silky texture, and complex umami sweetness.
• HARIO Double-walled Matcha Cup 370mL Heatproof borosilicate glass matcha cup with double-walled design to display vibrant green hues and smooth froth; 370ml capacity.
• HARIO Tea Dripper LARGO 35 Server Set Tea dripper set with press-to-extract mechanism; dripper 350mL, server 450mL, made from heatproof glass with silicone rubber holder and stainless steel filter.
• HARIO Filter-in Bottle 750mL Cold-brew tea bottle with built-in filter in wine bottle-inspired shape; heatproof glass body with silicone spout and cap; 750mL.
• HARIO Filter-in Tea Bottle 300mL Compact cold-brew tea bottle with built-in filter; perfect for single servings; 300mL capacity.
• Tea Bar & Boutiques Physical retail locations offering immersive tea experiences — including ION Orchard Flagship Store, Jewel Changi Airport, IOI Central Boulevard Towers, and Singapore Botanic Gardens shops — using Modbar Tea extraction technology for precision brewing, plus seasonal mooncake and tea pairing experiences from $14.90+.
• Wholesale & Retail Partnership Wholesale and retail tea range designed for cafes, restaurants, hotels, and retailers — including Pyramid Tea Bags (whole tea leaves), Envelope Tea Bags, and Loose Leaf Tea options. Served at 500+ venues across Singapore.
• Corporate Gifting Bespoke tea selections with customized packaging designed for corporate clients, partners, and employees; includes branded packaging solutions and dedicated account management.
• Private Label Solutions End-to-end private label solutions from sourcing and blending to packaging, delivering premium teas that reflect a client's brand identity.
• Trade & Export Global trade partnerships with presence in over 40 countries; includes bespoke menu design, distinctive service styles, and structured tea training programs for international partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Great Taste Award-winning teas recognized for exceptional flavor quality
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Tong HengflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2026Mid-Autumn 2026 collaboration bringing together two heritage brands united by quality and craftsmanship. The Made To Gather collection features four tea-inspired snowskin mooncakes (Black Tea Lotus, Matcha Red Bean, Berry Peach Oolong, Earl Grey Pistachio) available for pre-order and dine-in pairing experiences at all Tea Bar locations from August to September 2026.
• HARIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive distribution partnership featuring HARIO's premium tea brewing accessories including Double-walled Matcha Cups (370mL), Tea Dripper LARGO 35 Server Set, and Filter-in Tea Bottles (750mL and 300mL). Products are sold at Tea Bar locations and through the online store, and used in the Matcha In Ceremony Kit.
• Ito EncoreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive distribution partnership for Ito En Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder in Singapore. The matcha is carefully selected from first flush tea leaves in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, and is included in the Matcha In Ceremony Kit sold by The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.
• Mr. Bucket ChocolaterieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with homegrown F&B brand sharing similar bean-to-bar and farm-to-cup sourcing philosophies. The Tea Meets Chocolate collaboration was featured on the company's blog as a brand partnership highlight.
• B.P. De Silva GroupflagshipOthersThe 1872 Clipper Tea Co. is part of the B.P. De Silva Group, a 5th-generation diversified holdings company managing premium brands across luxury and commodities, including B.P. De Silva Jewellers and RISIS. This parentage provides brand heritage, operational infrastructure, and cross-brand synergies.
• FairtradecoreOthersPartnership with Fairtrade-certified tea plantations supporting sustainable production and initiatives that enhance the livelihoods of tea-growing communities in Sri Lanka. Forms part of the company's commitment to ethical sourcing and fair wages.
• Rainforest AlliancecoreOthersPartnership with Rainforest Alliance-certified tea producers embracing sustainable farming practices that protect forests, wildlife, and natural resources while promoting climate-friendly cultivation methods. Supports the company's eco-friendly cultivation commitments.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TWG Tea: Singapore-headquartered luxury tea brand with global retail stores, tea salons, and wholesale hospitality supply. Directly comparable as a premium Singapore tea brand combining retail, foodservice, and gifting across multiple geographies.
• Dilmah: Sri Lankan single-origin Ceylon tea brand with vertically integrated supply, retail tea bars, and global distribution in 100+ countries. Closest comparable on heritage, Sri Lanka origin, and premium single-origin positioning.
• T2 Tea: Australian specialty tea retailer with owned retail stores, e-commerce, and signature blends. Comparable as a premium specialty tea brand that scaled through owned retail experiences and design-led packaging.
• Tea Forte: US premium tea brand with pyramid tea bags, gift sets, hospitality wholesale, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Directly comparable on premium pyramid sachet format, gifting focus, and B2B hospitality supply.
• Harney & Sons: US premium specialty tea company offering loose leaf, sachets, and iced teas through retail, wholesale, and online. Comparable on premium specialty positioning, hospitality wholesale, and direct-to-consumer gifting.

Broad incumbents

• Mariage Frères: French heritage luxury tea brand with iconic tea salons and global retail. Comparable on heritage positioning, premium single-origin teas, and tea bar / salon retail format.
• Twinings: Established UK heritage tea brand with global retail and foodservice presence. Comparable on multi-country distribution, classic blends (Earl Grey, English Breakfast), and foodservice supply at scale.

Others

• Ito En: Japanese tea company and existing partner/supplier to 1872 Clipper Tea. Relevant as both an existing commercial partner (matcha supply) and adjacent premium Asian tea brand with RTD and loose-leaf offerings.

Emerging players

• Teapigs: UK premium tea brand focused on whole-leaf pyramid tea bags, sustainability, and direct-to-consumer. Comparable on premium pyramid sachet format, sustainability messaging, and DTC e-commerce growth model.

Regional players

• Lupicia: Japanese specialty tea retailer with owned boutiques across Japan and APAC. Comparable on curated loose-leaf and flavoured blends sold through premium retail experiences, though primarily Japan-domestic.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/1872ClipperTea
• Instagraminstagram.com/1872clippertea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1872clippertea

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 the 1872 clipper tea