TWG Tea

Overview

TWG Tea is a Singaporean luxury teahouse chain and artisanal tea brand operating boutiques, salons, and distribution in multiple regions including Asia, Europe, Middle East, and North America. It offers over 1,000 tea blends sourced from global gardens, along with tea-infused products and accessories, positioning itself in the premium tea market through innovation in blends and tea education via sommelier training¹²³.

History

TWG Tea was founded in 2008 in Singapore by Manoj M. Murjani, Taha Bouqdib, and Maranda Barnes Bouqdib as a subsidiary of The Wellness Group, later transitioning to The Wellbeing Group amid ownership disputes in 2014¹⁵. In 2014, Osim International (V3 Group subsidiary) acquired a majority stake, and the company established a tea sommelier training facility in Singapore¹. It expanded to over 70 outlets in 19 cities by 2019 and launched the TWG Tea Institute in 2017 for employee training on brewing and blends¹.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

TWG Tea sources teas directly from gardens across 47 tea-producing regions, including a strategic alliance with Okayti plantation in Darjeeling, India, for organic high-elevation production as TWG Chiya Bari⁷. Blending and creation of exclusive varieties occur through collaborations with renowned estates, with no specific details on in-house versus outsourced final packaging¹⁵.

Notable Products

• TWG Chiya Bari - Organic high-elevation Darjeeling tea from exclusive estate alliance⁷
• 1837 White - Signature luxury white tea blend referencing Singapore's trading history¹
• Sakura - Seasonal cherry blossom infused green tea⁵
• English Breakfast Grand Cru - Premium black tea grand cru blend¹

Reputation

TWG Tea is recognized among enthusiasts for its extensive collection of over 1,000 blends, innovation in seasonal varieties, and educational efforts like the Tea Institute¹³⁵. Professionals note its role in elevating Singapore as a tea export hub and its global expansion to 70+ outlets¹³. Criticisms stem from a 2014 ownership dispute between founders, though the brand has stabilized under V3 Group¹.