Vintage Typhoo tea tin, very decorative and collectible This lovely bright tin would make a great display piece in a kitchen, etc., with some age-related wear.
9 cm round
10 cm tall
 
Typhoo tea was founded in Birmingham in 1903 by grocer John Sumner Jr, who created it from tea leaf fannings (the "tips") and sold it pre-packaged, an innovation at the time. The brand was named "Typhoo" from the Chinese word for "doctor" and marketed with the slogan "The tea that doctors recommend" for its perceived medicinal qualities, particularly for soothing indigestion. Over the decades, the brand went through various ownership changes, from a major supermarket in the 1980s to an Indian group in 2005, and more recently, private equity ownership.
Key aspects of its history:
1903: John Sumner Jr launched Typhoo in Birmingham, based on his sister's experience with indigestion and tea fannings.
Packaging innovation: It was one of the first teas sold in the UK under a branded, pre-packaged format, rather than as loose tea.
Medicinal claims: Typhoo was initially promoted as a medicinal tea for stomach ailments, sold in chemist's shops, with the name meaning "doctor" in Chinese.
Sourcing: Sumner directly sourced and blended the tea, eventually establishing an agency to buy and blend directly from Ceylon auctions in 1909.
Expansion: By the 1930s, Typhoo was one of Britain's most widely sold packet teas.
Ownership Changes: The company was acquired by Premier Brands in 1986 and then by India's Apeejay Surrendra Group in 2005.
Recent Issues: In late 2024, the company went into administration after facing financial difficulties, including the closure of its packing site in Moreton.
Typhoo remains a well-known British tea brand, currently owned by the private equity firm Zetland Capital, and continues to emphasise ethical sourcing and sustainability in its operations.