• News

The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.

Delivering quality tea from selected farms to your teacup for 150 years, and continuing to do so in the future

• delicious Japan
• September 4, 2024

Could you please provide the background story of "The 1872 Clipper Tea Co."?

Our company was founded by Balage Porolis De Silva, a young Ceylonese merchant who planted his roots in Singapore, bringing along with him his love for Ceylon's finest teas and jewels. In 1872, he established a jewelry business on High Street and incorporated our tea brand. Hailing from Sri Lanka where having tea is a daily ritual for relaxation and enjoyment, he wanted to enhance his customers’ appreciation of jewellery with tea. This family-run business has kept his legacy of artistry and craftsmanship alive through five generations. Paying homage to the historic clipper ships that brought the freshest teas around the world, we are dedicated to sourcing the finest specialty tea sustainably and blending exceptional teas that boast consistent quality, signature aroma, and refined craftsmanship.

You recently participated in a food exhibition in Japan. How did visitors respond, and how were the business negotiations?

Participating in our first food exhibition in Japan was an incredibly rewarding experience! The positive feedback we received on our booth presentation, packaging, and especially our tea samples was very encouraging. We generated some promising leads, particularly from cafés, restaurants, and a few hotels. We are still actively seeking distributors who can help us expand our presence in the Japanese market.

Could you please provide details about the various types of tea you offer and their unique characteristics?

To stay competitive in the market, we provide a comprehensive range of teas, including black, green, oolong, white, and tisane. Our Sri Lankan heritage gives us an expertise in the Ceylon Black Tea category. What sets Sri Lankan teas apart is their remarkable variety and complexity, which are deeply influenced by the island's diverse climatic conditions and unique terroirs. In addition, we are committed to continuous research and development across all our tea selections. We meticulously craft each blend, selecting only the finest ingredients to ensure consistency in every cup. Our R&D efforts are dedicated to refining our blends and enhancing their flavors, guaranteeing that every sip delivers a high-quality, reliable tea experience.

What makes your tea stand out from other tea in Singapore?

Under our holdings group, we have an affiliated manufacturing company, who plays a crucial role in producing our teas. This allows us to craft unique blends and maintain full visibility and control over the supply chain. From the sourcing of raw materials to the meticulous blending of ingredients, and through to the final stages of production and logistics, we oversee each step with precision. This process ensures that every aspect of our tea production meets our stringent quality standards, allowing us to deliver products that are both exceptional and consistent.
This arrangement also helps us to manage our inventory efficiently, guaranteeing that our products are consistently fresh and of the highest quality.

Do you have any suggestions on how to best enjoy and drink your tea?

Our teas are designed to be straightforward and uncomplicated, offering a delightful experience with just a few simple steps. For the best results, it’s important to follow the recommended brewing times and temperatures and to remove the tea leaves promptly to avoid oversteeping. Our teas are best served straight, however, one could also enjoy by adding a bit on milk and honey to experience a whole new realm of flavours. The depth of our flavours also makes our tea best to be served with a pairing to compliment.

Here’s a quick guide for perfecting your brew:
- Black Tea: Steep for 2-3 minutes at 96-98°C.
- Green Tea: Steep for 1-2 minutes at 85-90°C.
Make sure you use natural or filtered water, and stir well.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy the full spectrum of flavors our teas offer.

Please tell us your plans and target figures for exporting your tea to Japan.

We are still actively seeking distributors in the Japanese market to enhance our product distribution and expand our reach. Our objective is to forge strategic partnerships with distributors, whether in retail or the HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering) sector. We aim to collaborate closely with our partners, leveraging their existing networks and reaching new customers through targeted marketing initiatives.

We are committed to supporting our partners by guiding them on the most effective ways to present our products, and helping to close sales. Our goal is to work together to achieve mutual growth and success in the Japanese market.

Where is your company targeting distribution in Japan? Are you focusing on retail stores or HoReCa?

We are very enthusiastic about expanding our distribution in both the retail and HoReCa sectors and are keen to explore potential collaborations in the Japanese market.
For retail, our brand is positioned within the specialty category, and we aim to preserve this positioning by offering our products in select specialty and gourmet stores.
However, we are always open in discussing ways on working together with potential partners to achieve successful partnerships and effectively reach our target audience in Japan.

Please tell us about your future goals in Japan.

We plan to initially focus on establishing our distribution in either the HoReCa or retail segments to gauge the market's response to our products. By starting with these channels, we can assess how well our offerings resonate with Japanese consumers and build a strong market presence.
Once we have established a solid foothold and gained valuable insights from this initial phase, we are excited about the potential of taking our brand to the next level. Our vision includes exploring the opportunity to open our own Tea Bar & Boutique in Japan. This would not only enhance the customer experience by providing a dedicated space for consumers to enjoy and engage with our products but also significantly boost our brand’s visibility and prestige in the market.

During your visit to Japan, did you have the opportunity to try any Japanese cuisine or food?

Japanese food is just amazing. I always say that I could never have a bad meal in Japan even if I tried. There's such a wide variety, and I loved everything I've tried, from ramen and sushi to tonkatsu, tendon, and curry.
The curry, in particular, is something special. It has a unique flavor that’s unlike any other curry I've had around the world. I can’t wait to go back and enjoy more of Japan’s incredible food!

Please let us know your plans for your next visit to Japan.

Personal travels aside, our plans are still taking shape. We’re currently considering a few strategic options. One possibility is attending major food and beverage trade shows, which would allow us to showcase our products and connect with industry professionals. If we are working with a distributor by that time, we might also explore participating in events or trade shows together, offering our support to maximize our reach.
Additionally, we’re also interested in doing a study into the retail space. Evaluating market rates and finding the right location could be a key step in expanding our presence.
At this stage, it's too early to commit to specific plans, but we're enthusiastic about keeping the momentum going and exploring all opportunities to grow our brand effectively.