help & faqs

We’ve put together a list of your most frequently asked questions, have a read through them, you might find the answer you need really quickly! If you need any help, or we weren’t able to answer your question below, head over to our contact form.

CONTACT US

where’s my order?

We always dispatch within 2 workings days, usually we'll get your order out much sooner though. Have a nose below to see when you can expect your order to arrive by, if your order hasn't arrived within the guidelines below then head over to our contact form and get in touch straight away!

royal mailcollect plusinterlink express
(order before 2pm)		International services
3 - 6 working days 3 - 6 working days

next working day to mainland UK

when ordered before 2pm

on a working day

 up to 15 working days

If your order is over 2kg and is heading overseas, we’ll be in touch with a quote, unfortunately our standard postal charges just won’t cover it!

about teapigs

Why the name "teapigs"?

Ha! We get asked this so many times. Well, we wanted a memorable name, and this really summed us up. We're just greedy for great tea and will do anything to get more. Fancy being a teapig like us?

Where does tea come from?

All tea comes from the same bush - the camellia sinensis bush. And no, we don’t mean one single huge bush, but millions of camellia sinensis bushes cultivated in many different countries. Teas from camelia sinensis are processed in different ways at the tea estate to produce black, green, white and oolong teas. Learn more here.

And herbal teas - where do they come from?

Any tea that doesn’t come from the camellia sinensis bush is not a “traditional” tea, and they would normally be referred to as herbal teas or infusions. There are literally hundreds of different herbal teas. 

And what about red tea?

Rooibos tea, often known as either redbush tea or just plain red tea, is not from the camellia sinensis bush, therefore is technically a herbal tea.


Why does tea vary so much in taste?

Growing conditions, soil, climate and altitude all make a big difference to the quality of a tea. In addition the process that the leaves go through, and the skill of the people involved, will ultimately decide a tea's taste.

Where do teapigs teas come from?

We buy our tea and herbal infusions from all around the world, including countries as diverse as Rwanda, Taiwan, China and India.

Are teapig teas organic?

We select our teas based on taste and quality. If we can find an organic tea that matches our quality standards, then we will use that tea. To maintain these standards, we have to source teas from various growers. Sometimes the teas may be organic, sometimes not.

Are teapigs teas Fairtrade?

The best quality teas aren't necessarily Fairtrade. We pay a premium price for our teas, sourced from quality estates which have a sustainable business model. In addition we are working towards achieving 100% Rainforest Alliance accreditation for english breakfast (everyday brew), and we have our own ethical scheme of which we are very proud.

Are your tea temples biodegradeable?

Yes, our tea temples are made from a by-product of corn-starch which is biodegradeable. In the best possible conditions (that's in a big industrial composter) it will break down within 6-8 weeks, but at home it can take around 2-3 years. Therefore we do recommend recycling the temples with your local food waste just to avoid finding lots of tea temples around your garden!

Why don't you have a huge range, like some other tea companies do?


We like to keep things simple. Yes, we could offer you 150 or more teas, but where would you start? With our tea knowledge we have carefully selected what we believe is a cross-section of the finest teas to make your selection that much easier. It's a start, and we will add to the list from time to time, especially with limited edition specials. Let us know of any special tea that you may have come across; maybe we can include it.


Why do your teas cost so much?

It's fair to say that our teas are more expensive than traditional "supermarket" teas. But it simply comes down to quality; the finest quality whole leaf teas cost more. We would actually like to pose the question the other way around: How can we deliver the exquisite taste of the finest teas from around the world for only pennies a cup? 


What is the caffeine content of teas?

All teas from camellia sinensis naturally contain caffeine in varying amounts, depending upon a number of factors - in particular, where it is grown and how it is brewed. Typically the caffeine content of an average cup of tea will vary from between 30 – 75mg. Most, but not all, herbal teas are naturally caffeine free.

Why don’t teapigs have a decaffeinated tea?

We will only sell teas of the highest quality. The rather nasty processes used to decaffeinate teas will also reduce the quality - not a compromise we are happy to make. If you are looking for a regular style of tea without caffeine, then try our rooibos tea. It’s very close in flavour and appearance to regular tea, can be drunk with milk or sugar and is naturally caffeine free.

Do you use artificial flavours in any of your teas?

We only ever use natural flavours. Never any nasties.

Can you reassure me about the safety of your matcha?

We are aware that some of you may be concerned about the sourcing of our matcha since the tragic earthquake disaster in March 2011. The Nishio region is over 600km South of Fukushima and, as well as strict testing by the Japanese Authorities before it leaves the country, our matcha is tested twice more for radiation levels before it reaches our shelves.

Is tea safe to drink during pregnancy and breast feeding?

We would suggest consulting your GP if you have any concerns about drinking teas or infusions during pregnancy or whilst breast feeding

order and delivery

Why does your packaging state, "Made in a factory that produces nuts"?

We have our tea produced in a factory which also produces teas for other brands. Some of the other blends they produce contain nuts. Whilst every precaution is taken to ensure there is no cross-contamination, we believe that we should make you aware of this. The nuts used are almonds and hazelnuts, so we can assure you the factory is a peanut-free zone.

How long will I have to wait for my order?

Once you have placed your order, we'll process it within 2 working days. If you choose next day courier service, your teas will be delivered the next working day after packing. If you choose Royal Mail First Class then the vast majority of deliveries are made the next day, but on the odd occasion they may take up to 10 days. We can make good tea but unfortunately we can’t solve all the problems of the postal service.