Thanks for helping choose New Zealand's favourite Earl Grey!

The Taste-Off has finished. Thank you to everyone who stopped by on our road trip and to all who tasted the blends and had their say. New Zealand chose blend #1 as our favourite – an Earl Grey to brighten your day.

And congratulations to St John – the charity you'd like our new Earl Grey to support. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and the Twinings website, for news and updates about Twinings – and to find out when we'll launch the new blend!

Welcome
Get A Tasting Kit
The Road Trip
Vote For Your Favourite
The Charities
The Legend of Earl Grey

The Great New Zealand Earl Grey Taste-Off

For nearly 200 years we've been making Earl Grey Tea. Recently our experts have created some exciting new variations, and we'd love to know which one New Zealand prefers.

So, we're taking four Earl Grey blends on a road trip!

From Cape Reinga to Bluff, we’re asking you to vote for your favourite blend. The one you choose will be on the supermarket shelves in 2012.

What’s more, you also decide who benefits from our new Earl Grey. To celebrate the launch of your preferred blend we’ll give a donation from the sale of every pack to the charity New Zealanders choose. So cast your vote and tell us who you’d like the proceeds to benefit – St John, Surf Life Saving NZ, SPCA, or Variety – The Children’s Charity!

NOTE – this new Earl Grey won't replace our classic Earl Grey blend. You'll be able to buy both from your supermarket.

Get A Tasting Kit
The Road Trip
Vote For Your Favourite
Charity
The Legend of Earl Grey

Cape Reinga to Bluff the taste off is here

The Road Trip

From Monday 7 November to Monday 5 December, we're travelling the country to find New Zealand's favourite new Earl Grey. Come and see us to try each blend, talk to the team, and have your say!

Check out what people have been saying about their favourite Earl Grey blend on Youtube

What are we up to?

New Zealand's Favourite Blend

Which blend will be New Zealand's favourite new Earl Grey? On Monday 5 December 2011, Stephen Twining will announce the blend with the most votes – the new, official, New Zealand's own, Earl Grey!

Make sure you have your say. Visit us on our road trip or request a tasting kit, try each blend, then cast your vote.

We've hidden the votes for each blend until the big reveal. Come back on Tuesday December 6 to find out which blend is New Zealand's favourite!

The Charities

Tell us which New Zealand charity you'd like us to support! We're giving the charity New Zealanders choose a donation from the sale of every pack of New Zealand Earl Grey from the launch of the blend in 2012. Find out more about the charities you can choose from below, then try the blends and cast your vote!

St John

Every day St John responds to around 1000 calls to help New Zealanders in need. St John is a charity and their 15,000 members rely on donations to support the delivery of ambulance and other free community services including a youth programme, Health Shuttles, Caring Caller, and Friends of the Emergency Department – wherever and whenever it is needed.

St John operates across 146 towns and cities from the Cape to the Bluff, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands.

RNZSPCA

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a New Zealand registered charity whose mission is to advance the welfare of all animals in New Zealand.

The SPCA is made up of 48 centres throughout the country who care for lost, abandoned and neglected animals. Warranted Inspectors investigate cruelty complaints and enforce the Animal Welfare Act.

The SPCA does not receive funding from the Government for use in its everyday operations and so relies heavily on the support of the community for income from donations, corporate support, and bequests.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand

Surf Life Saving New Zealand represents 73 Surf Life Saving Clubs and around 15,000 members. Their aim is straightforward: 'preventing drowning and injury in New Zealand.' A sport in its own right, Surf Life Saving also provides a range of services and programmes to the community.

Surf Life Saving is funded by sponsorships, grants, and public generosity.

Variety

Each year Variety – The Children's Charity supports more than 10,000 Kiwi kids, their families, and communities.

Since 1989 Variety has given over $12 million to help sick, disabled, and disadvantaged children. From much-needed medical equipment to innovative educational initiatives, Variety raises money to ensure deserving children can reach their full potential… creating brighter futures for Kiwi kids.

The Legend of Earl Grey

Back in the 1830s, Earl Grey was made especially for the British Prime Minister, Charles Grey, for him to enjoy as his afternoon tea. The blend was originally known as 'Earl Grey's' tea.

One of Charles Grey's employees rescued a Chinese Mandarin's son from drowning in 1831. To show his gratitude, the Mandarin gave Earl Grey a unique blend of tea. This may not seem much of a reward but it was a huge honour, as tea and tea recipes were (and still are) highly prized by the Chinese.

Everyone loved the tea's unique taste. So, before it ran out, Charles asked his tea merchant, Richard Twining, to recreate it for him. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Nearly 200 years later, our Earl Grey range is still the only one to be approved by the current Earl, Earl Grey VI, who lends his signature to each box.