ESTABLISHED 1867 • EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
The Complete Guide to Brodies 1867 Tea
Over 150 years of master tea blending. Famous for aromatic breakfast tea, royal heritage caddies and vibrant loose-leaf traditions.
Edinburgh’s Heritage Tea Master
Founded in Edinburgh during the height of the maritime tea clipper race, Brodies (originally Brodie, Melrose, Drysdale & Co.) was established by entrepreneurs dedicated to selecting the finest leaf lots arriving at the historic docks of Leith.
Unlike commercial commodity tea bag brands focused solely on rapid color extraction, Brodies retains artisanal selection criteria. They balance Assam maltiness with high-grown Ceylon brightness and aromatic Kenyan leaves, producing teas that are equally satisfying served black or with milk.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1867 (Edinburgh Scotland)
- Flagship Blend: Famous Edinburgh
- Primary Formats: Loose Leaf Tins & Tagged Bags
- Water Tolerance: Excellent across soft to medium water
- Best Feature: Collectible gift caddies and specialty blends
Top Brodies Blends & Lineup
The teas that define Brodies’ reputation.
Please Note: The Brodies Tea web site does not have all the below varities listed.
THE SIGNATURE BLEND
Famous Edinburgh
Originally blended in the 1920s, Famous Edinburgh combines large-leaf Assam and African teas. It yields a light golden-amber cup with brisk liveliness and a clean finish.
- Format: Loose tea in a tin (125 grams or 4.4 ounces) and loose tea in a bag (200 grams or 7.1 ounces) and 50 tea bags in traditional Brodies drum or box of 100 string and tag tea bags.
- Best For: Afternoon sipping or traditional high tea
HEARTY MORNING CUP
Scottish Breakfast
A bolder, darker formulation crafted specifically to pair with whole milk. Deep copper in color, rich in malt, and designed to cut through a hearty morning meal.
- Format: Loose tea in a tin (100 grams or 3.5 ounces) and loose tea in a bag (200 grams or 7.1 ounces) and 50 tea bags in traditional Brodies drum or box of 100 string and tag tea bags.
- Best For: Strong morning wake-up with splash of milk
HERITAGE GIFT TIN
Scottish Afternoon
A fragrant, medium-bodied balance of Ceylon and Indian leaf. Packed in vintage Scottish tartan or scenic embossed gift caddies that make popular gifts.
- Format: 50 tea bags in the traditional Brodies drum.
- Best For: Scones, shortbread, and gift collections.
How to Brew Brodies for Peak Flavor
Because Brodies relies on fine orthodox leaf grades rather than fast-bleeding tea dust, proper water temperature and timing are critical to avoiding bitterness while unlocking delicate malt notes.
- Water Temperature: Bring fresh cold tap water to a rolling boil at exactly 100°C (212°F). Avoid re-boiling water, which depletes dissolved oxygen.
- Water Quality: Brodies performs exceptionally in soft water, but handles medium-hard water far better than Scottish Blend. In very hard water areas, use a standard carbon-filtered kettle.
- Steep Time:
- Loose Leaf: 4 to 5 minutes to let the curled leaves unfurl completely.
- Bags: 3 to 4 minutes without aggressive squeezing.
Where to Buy Brodies Online
While readily found across Scotland in specialty food stores, Scottish shops and some department stores, those buyers who live outside Scotland can order directly through:
- Amazon (US & UK): Ideal for Prime members. .
- Specialty British Importers: Online sites like TeaDog.com carry Brodies Teas.
- Detailed Availability: Review our updated Where to Buy Scottish Tea guide for regional distributors and shipping advice.
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Compare Brodies against Scotland’s other iconic heritage and everyday tea makers.