Mackwoods Ceylon Tea, Since 1841 | Sri Lanka

Mackwoods

Mackwoods is one of the oldest names in Ceylon tea. Captain William Mackwood, a British ship's captain, founded the firm in 1841, and it has been a member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce since 1847. In 1956 N.S.O. Mendis bought it, one of the first British houses to pass to a Ceylonese owner, and his family runs it still. Its teas are single estate and unblended: each pack comes from one estate rather than a blend of many. Here is the range we ship worldwide from Sri Lanka.

Loose leaf black tea. Three classic grades: Orange Pekoe, a long wiry leaf for a bright, smooth cup (carton, cylinder and OP1); Broken Orange Pekoe, a stronger, full-bodied brew (carton, cylinder); and the fine fannings grades for a fast, brisk cup (BOPF, FFsp).

Tea bags. Each bag sits in its own envelope. English Breakfast and Classic Fine Black Tea come in packs of 25 to 100 bags, alongside green tea and jasmine green tea. Loose leaf green tea comes in 100 g and 200 g packs.

Herbal infusions. Caffeine-free tisanes in 25 enveloped bags: camomile, peppermint, hibiscus, rosehip, ginger and cinnamon.

Connoisseurs' blends and gifts. Mackwoods makes commemorative blends with Silver Tips and Golden Tips, the hand-rolled buds of the tea bush. Its Queen's Golden Jubilee Blend was presented at Buckingham Palace in 2002. There are also the Diamond Jubilee Blend, the 160th Anniversary Blend (also in a half caddy) and the 165th Anniversary Blend, each in a caddy in a wooden gift box. For the table: wooden tea trays with three, four or twelve compartments of tea bags, and a porcelain tea set for two.