The Esplanade Hotel Blog

For National Tea Day on 21st April, we caught up with Cornish Tea, the local team behind the brews you’ll find in our bedrooms, to talk all things “proper Cornish” tea. From the story behind their first blend to their best in-room brewing tip, here’s how to make a great cup part of your next stay at The Esplanade.

Many of our guests will have seen your branded tea and coffee in their room. For anyone meeting you for the first time: what is Cornish Tea, and what makes you distinctly “Cornish”?
Cornish Tea is proudly blended and packed in our Cornish factory, where every brew gets the proper job treatment (and probably a bit of sea air for good measure). Our teas are completely plastic-free and biodegradable, because we like our coastlines as clean as our cuppas are strong. We set out to create a proper job brew that shows Cornwall at its very best, bold, comforting and full of character, just like the people who make it. And while we’re at it, we’re chuffed to be creating real careers locally too, proving that a great cup of tea can do more than just wake you up in the morning.

You make tea (and coffee) in-house. What does that allow you to do differently in terms of quality, consistency, and innovation?

It gives us control over everything, which is exactly how we like it. We can make sure every batch tastes just right, keep quality consistent, and move quickly when we want to try something new. It also means we can be a bit more hands-on, rather than just watching from the sidelines.

Which teas would you match to (a) breakfast, (b) afternoon tea/treats, and (c) post-dinner wind-down, and why?
Breakfast calls for something strong and reliable like Smugglers Brew. Afternoon tea is a chance for something a bit lighter or more aromatic, perhaps our vanilla chai to go alongside sweet treats. And after dinner, a herbal tea like peppermint or chamomile is perfect for slowing things down.

If a guest is making tea in their room with a kettle, what are your top dos and don’ts for the best result?
It’s not really our place to tell you how to make your tea, that’s the beauty of a proper cuppa, it’s yours to enjoy exactly how you like it. However, if we had to offer one small tip, we’d say use freshly boiled water and go easy on the squeeze. Let it brew, let it do its thing, and you’ll get a much better cup for it.

Tea is often tied to place and memory. Do you have a favourite Cornwall moment that captures what your brand is about?
It’s hard to pick just one, but for us it’s those simple, in-between moments that say the most, standing on a blustery Cornish clifftop, hands wrapped around a warm mug, watching the waves roll in. It’s not fancy, it’s not rushed, it’s just a proper pause. That’s what our brand is all about really, slowing things down, appreciating where you are, and enjoying a proper job brew in good company (even if that’s just the sea for company).

Try it on your next stay: You’ll find Cornish Tea & Coffee in your room at The Esplanade, or enjoyed alongside breakfast or as part of our afternoon tea in Cove Restaurant. A cuppa is always perfect for a slow morning before adventures, a mid-afternoon reset, or a cosy wind-down after the beach.

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