Festive flavours from Northern Irish tea blender

Suki Tea, the Northern Ireland boutique blender, has launched a new premium product for the festive season. The company, based in Belfast, has introduced a Mint Choc Chai for Christmas. The new blend retails at £3.30 for an 80g pack.

The new blend, according to Oscar Woolley, managing director of the multi-award winning Suki Tea, features "rich, dark cocoa beans, fresh peppermint and citrusy goodness".

Mr Woolley, joint founder of the business with Anne Irwin, adds: "The new Mint Choc Chai has a smooth creaminess which makes it a delicious cuppa on its own or as an ingredient."

Formed in 2005, Suki Tea has won a string of UK Great Taste Awards and is developing international business in [Ewan Reid1] Europe, Japan and Africa.

Suki Tea is focused on ethical business and features triple certified teas that have Fairtrade, Organic and Rainforest Alliance certifications.

The company currently employs 16 people and was established to provide quality loose leaf teas to the Northern Ireland marketplace. It began tasting and selling quality teas from a stall in the St George's Market, a popular food market in Belfast and is now focused on international sales.

Suki sells its award winning natural loose leaf teas and pyramid teabags to cafes, restaurants, shops, delis, spas, health food stores and hotels throughout the UK through a partnership with Matthew Algie, a Glasgow-based distributor.

The Belfast company sources quality tea from Tanzania and Kenya and is planning to set up its own tea plantation near Portaferry in county Down.In addition, the company has established a Tea Academy to train catering staff on tea blends and how to make the best tasting tea. It also works with organisations involved in the economic and social development of regions where it sources tea leaves.