Whittard of Chelsea, the ambitious tea house - Interview with Katy Woollard
Le Comptoir Irlandais is the official distributor in France of the English tea house Whittard of Chelsea.
Whittard of Chelsea offers us a whole range of teas and infusions with gourmet and bewitching flavours. This London house, created in 1886, rigorously selects the tea plantations to retain only the most qualitative leaves. Its exclusive blends make us travel around the world.
To learn more about this legendary tea house, discover the interview with Katy Woollard, product specialist at Whittard of Chelsea below.
Where does the name Whittard of Chelsea come from?
Our story began in 1886 when Walter Whittard first set up shop on London’s bustling fleet street selling the finest tea coffee and hot chocolate. Over 130 years later Whittard of Chelsea has become a global aspirational brand, but we remain true to our founders approach "to buy the best".
Can you tell us a few words about the brand?
Our passion for our high-quality, innovative products still informs everything we do, whether that tracking down world-class ingredients or fuelling our friendly experts with knowledge and if there's one thing Walter’s taught us, it's that a truly excellent copper is an experienced best shared.
What makes you different from other tea houses?
- Our Heritage: We’re a global aspirational brand from British beginnings built on over 130 years of quality and trust.
- Our products: Designed in-house and beautifully packaged, our collection spans iconic timeless favourites and inventive limited editions, so there is something to suit every taste.
- Our People: Our knowledgeable, passionate people define our memorable brand experience.
- Our Customer: Our Customer is at the heart of everything we do.
Can you explain your job?
I am a fully trained tea expert and also a product specialist for both coffee and hot chocolate. I get to talk to the public about our special heritage and our products but also have the opportunity to train all staff and customers alike on all things Whittard, hosting masterclasses and special events. I also work with our international department to showcase and demonstrate the true values of Whittard of Chelsea and to impart any knowledge that is required. Furthermore, I get to drink tea coffee and hot chocolate every day and meet many incredible people is simply is the best job in the world.
Katy Woollard, product specialist at Whittard of Chelsea.
How do you carry out the creation process and the assemblies?
We are always looking for new trends, flavours and ingredients that we think our customers might like. Some new products are the result of months of planning and preparation and some, such as seasonal teas, are quickly brought to our customers so we can offer teas that are fresh and exciting.
If you had to choose one Whittard product, which one would it be?
For myself, I just could not live without one of our Oolongs. My favourite is our aromatic milk Oolong, Its creamy and sweet. Whittard of Chelsea’s famous loose-leaf flavoured Oolong is from Taiwan's Nantou region has a butter-rich softness comparable to caramel. Depending on different processing techniques, Oolongs range from rich and deeply roasted to the fresh floral flavours often associated with high-grown Oolongs. We'd suggest brewing lightly to enjoy its wonderful layers of flavour.
For you, what is the perfect tea to wake up to?
For me, it has to be our loose English Breakfast. It’s a smooth, versatile and invigorating loose leaf black tea with a robust malty richness – particularly delicious served with a splash of milk to accompany a hearty “full English”, something I enjoy with my whole family.
Tea for tea time?
I drink tea from first thing in the morning may be a good strong cup of Assam or English Breakfast. I maybe switch to lighter teas such as green, white or high altitude grown black teas (such as Darjeeling) from late morning to early afternoon. I will then usually drink fruit or herbal infusions for the rest of the day.
Tea to surprise guests?
Why not try our Afternoon Tea blend? This is a delightful twist on a traditional Earl Grey. A beautiful blend of black, light Oolong and jasmine green tea with a hint of bergamot – plus a small sprinkling of rose petals and white cornflowers.
After dinner tea?
Peppermint after dinner and a sleepy tea just before bed.
What are the future projects of the Whittard house? A new range of tea or chocolate?
Yes! We are constantly working on new product ideas for our customers. We have some really exciting new hot chocolate products planned for next spring and we are just finalising our product ranges for next summer. We can’t give any sneak previews though I’m afraid! You will just have wait and see.
Discover the Whittard of Chelsea range >
Article written by Manon C.
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