Few things are as comforting as a good cup of tea, and as the saying goes, sometimes it can feel like sitting down for one solves everything. From that first, warming sip in the morning to the last one at night, this beloved British drink has seen us through many different kinds of moments, and whether you’re putting the world to rights with company or simply putting your feet up after a long day for a few quiet minutes to yourself, putting the kettle on and getting out the china is a ritual that can instantly instil a sense of calm.
Of course, not all teas are created equal, and finding the perfect blend can prove a challenge. Today, it isn’t enough to look for the finest flavours alone, and we’re increasingly demanding that the brands we choose to shop with take their sustainability credentials seriously, too.
Fledgling premium tea brand Camellios, however, ticks all the right boxes, specialising in creating high quality tea blends from the finest whole leaves – with all teas carefully sourced from exceptional growers from around the world that prioritise ethical and sustainable growing practices.
Once harvested, the teas are then hand blended, tasted and packed exclusively in the UK, with only 100 per cent natural ingredients used in the production process – which means, as well as being able to sip a comforting cup guilt-free, there is no need to compromise on taste.
The brainchild of founder Timur Romanov, who launched the brand in the middle of 2020 and at the height of the pandemic, he isn’t one to be put off by challenges, and has successfully managed to bring to fruition a premium tea that is superior in both quality and flavour, now offering up a range of different blends to suit all tastes. From classics like English Breakfast and Earl Grey to inspired alternatives such as the warming Spiced Apple Chai – the perfect choice for autumn – it’s a decadent range for the serious tea-drinker, ensuring a luxurious experience in each and every cup.
Camellios’ pyramid tea bags are designed to offer a convenient way of drinking tea without sacrificing taste, and the additional spaciousness of the bags allows the loose leaves to move around freely, unpacking maximum flavour during brewing.
Importantly, the pyramid tea bags are filled with the same high grade loose leaf tea that’s used in the loose leaf range – so those looking for additional convenience when making up a brew can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Placing sustainability at the heart of the brand and its processes from the start, Timur says that it was important to him to create a product offering that didn’t harm the environment, and suffice it to say, he appears to have done just that. All elements of Camellios’ retail packaging are recyclable and plastic-free, while tea bags are biodegradable, made from an innovative material derived from corn starch. The Natureflex inner bags, meanwhile, are made from cellulose, which is both plastic free and compostable.
And going the extra mile to limit its environmental impact, Camellios is also offsetting its carbon footprint by supporting reforestation projects through its partnership with More Trees – who partner with regulated NGOs who work with local communities to restore healthy forests and reduce extreme poverty around the world.
This year, Camellios entered the prestigious Great Taste Awards – the largest and most respected awards for food and drink in the world, organised by the Guild of Fine Food. With over 14,000 entries from 108 countries, competition is always fierce, but nevertheless, Camellios reigned supreme, picking up two gold stars at the awards – including one each for its English Breakfast and Jasmine and Mint Green Teas.
According to the judges, the latter was a “thoughtfully crafted green tea blend”, with the cool notes of peppermint working perfectly with the floral jasmine flavour in “a clever blend that works well and makes for an enjoyable tea”.
Understandably, Timur was delighted to see Camellios highlighted at the awards, not just once, but twice.
“It’s fantastic to have our products recognised by the Guild of Fine Food, especially given that we’re in our first year of trading. I think this shows that we provide our customers and clients with a high quality tea offering,” he says.
Served at a number of prestigious London hotels including the historic Georgian House Hotel and the luxurious rooms of 3 Sloane Gardens, Camellios teas can also now be found in a number of farm shops, delis and independent retailers including the famous Garsons Garden Centre in Esher. And of course, they are also available to buy online for added convenience.
Camellios may be in its infancy, but it has already made some impressive strides in its very first year, paving the way for it to become the go-to premium tea we’ll all be adding to our shelves in the new year. Drinking up a cup of tea should be comforting, but utterly luxurious, too – and the Camellios blends offer just that.
So, what does 2022 have in store for Camellios?
“As a brand, Camellios is still really early in the journey,” says Timur. “We want to grow by bringing in more customers and partnering with more amazing businesses. To do that we have to keep our tea delicious and deliver first class customer service.”
It all sounds very promising, and we’re excited to watch this inspired tea brand make its mark on the world. To get yours, head to camellios.com.
