History of tea in derbyshire

By Richard Felix – Derbyshire Historian

Tea has been blended in Derby and Derbyshire since the late 1870s. First of all by the Star Tea Company and then in 1890 Derby Tea was created on Derby Market Place.
Joseph Cadman and James Fish set up the headquarters of the Star Tea Company in the late 1870s. Cadman was a successful grocer and tea merchant and Fish was a commercial traveler in the tea trade. It is easy to understand how these two imaginative men brought their skills together to create The Star Tea Company.

Traffic Jam in St Peter’s Street, Derby. caused by huge delivery of Tea to Star Tea Co. premises which later became The Midland Drapery.

By 1888 the company had established over 40 shops not only in Derbyshire but around the country in many English towns. Indeed the company was one of the first national multiples to be established in England and was the cutting edge of a retail revolution.

Giles Austin Tea Blending.

In 1890 Giles Austin set up shop at No 3 Market Place and started the G Austin and Co Tea Blenders Derby, where he created the special blend, Derby Tea.

Giles Austin’s Model T Ford Van.

A few doors away was his rival grocer Arthur Hodgkinson, incidentally where Mathew Walker first started selling Christmas Puddings. The two grocers amalgamated to create Austin Hodgkinson’s.

Giles Austin’s shop Market Place, Derby.

Famous grocers and tea and coffee merchants, famous throughout Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Tea is a gourmet blend of the finest Camellia leaves from Kenya, Sri Lanka and Assam, where there is even a tea plantation named “Derby Tea Gardens”

Derby Tea Plantation, Assam.

In 2022 Derbyshire Tea was granted the Trade Marks for the logotype and wording “Derbyshire Tea” by The Intellectual Property Office.
130 years after tea was first blended in Derbyshire, it is available again. A superior blend, chosen by, and packaged by Derbyshire folk who are proud of the rich heritage of their county.

Early example of
Tea Advertising and Merchandise
Derby Tea Tape Measure

The History of Tea in Derbyshire

Tea has been part of everyday life in Derbyshire for a very long time.

While tea has never been grown in this county, it quickly became a staple in Derbyshire homes, workplaces and communities. From early mornings to late afternoons, the kettle has always played its part.

Tea as an Everyday Essential

As Derbyshire grew through industry, farming and skilled trades, tea became a dependable part of daily routine. It was not about ceremony or fine cups. It was about warmth, comfort and getting on with the day.

Tea breaks were practical moments. A chance to pause, share a mug and carry on. Strength mattered. Consistency mattered. If the tea was weak, people noticed.

Over time, tea settled into Derbyshire life as something familiar and relied upon. It was made at home, at work, in clubs, village halls and kitchens across the county.

Taste Matters More Than Origin

Although tea came to Britain from overseas, what mattered in Derbyshire was how it tasted in the cup.

People developed clear preferences. A brew needed body, balance and reliability. It had to work with milk, hold its flavour, and taste right whether it was the first cup of the day or the last.

That focus on taste has never really changed.

Where Derbyshire Tea Fits In

Derbyshire Tea was created to reflect that tradition.

Tea does not grow in Derbyshire, and we are open about that. Our teas use quality leaves sourced from established tea growing regions around the world. What makes them Derbyshire Tea is the flavour.

All our teas are chosen and blended to Derbyshire tastes, shaped by real local opinions through the Derbyshire Tea Taste Test.

A Modern Tea With Local Roots

Today, Derbyshire Tea continues the county’s straightforward approach to tea.

All tea is packed in Derbyshire. Packaging is printed and produced in Derbyshire. Derbyshire Tea Limited is wholly owned by Derbyshire born and bred people and is totally independent.

It is tea made to be enjoyed day in, day out, without fuss or exaggeration.

Because in Derbyshire, a good cup of tea has never needed a big story behind it.
It just needs to taste right.