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First, it is important to know that two different kinds of English tea are available. The authentic type are made in England and have large international followings. Everything else is just labeled as such but produced elsewhere. Today, almost every tea company produces such a variety.
If you are looking for an authentic English tea experience, start with the variety that is the nation's number 1: PG Tips Tea. It is perhaps the best known brand in the world.
PG Tips Tea began in 1869 in Manchester, England, when Arthur Brooke opened a shop called Brooke Bond & Company. He used this name because it was on the building where the shop was located. Even though there was no such Mr Bond, Brooke liked the name and used it for his business. Even today, some people still refer to it as Brooke Bond PG Tips.
The company's early slogan was “Good tea unites good company, exhilarates the spirits, opens the heart, banishes restraint from conversation and promote happiest purposes of social intercourse.”
Brooke Bond & Company sold tea to grocery stores. Then, realizing a bigger opportunity, in 1930 Brooke began to market and sell a brand of tea called Pre-Gest Tee. The brand soon became one of the country's most popular teas. The name Pre-Gest Tee was used since, if taken before eating, tea was thought to aid digestion. Soon after, the name was changed to PG and Tips because the best tea is made with the top two leaves and bud.
In 1960, PG Tips was offered in tea bags. Prior to this, it was sold as only as loose tea. The humble tea bag remained the same until 1996. Then, PG Tips was offered in pyramid tea bags. The new shape produces a better cup of tea since the tea leaves have more space to infuse. The new shape came from several years of research.
Today, PG Tips is offered in many varieties, such as loose tea, decaffeinated and a special blend.
A version of tea was even developed specifically for the soft waters of Scotland. The new tea called Scottish Blend was introduced in 2005.
PG Tips drinkers in England are familiar with the brand's television commercials. Starting in 1956, the brand used chimps, known as the Tipps Family, in advertising. The chimps lasted almost 50 years and are in the Guinness Book of World Records as the United Kingdom's longest, consistent television ad campaign. Even today, these old commercials remain popular and can be seen on sites like You Tube.
In 2002, chimps were replaced with claymation birds. The characters Wallace & Grommit even appeared in some ads. Now, monkey and Al are the advertising face of PG Tips.
Today, most English Teas are consumed with milk and sugar. But, drink it and way you like, just try PG Tips.
Today, the brand is is still made in Manchester, England.