Tea drinkers are sipping an amazing 50 million cups a year of Wales’ own branded tea, Murrough’s Welsh Brew Tea, helping the company achieve record sales.
Welsh Brew - the only tea blended specifically to complement ‘soft’ Welsh water - has seen a surge in popularity with customers looking for a refreshing cuppa.
Now the iconic brand is being expanded with the launch of a new range of bedroom beverages for the Welsh hospitality sector.
Individually and bi-lingually packaged Coffee and Luxury Hot Chocolate Drink sachets are joining the existing Welsh Brew Tea stable, which now boasts some 20 different products from loose tea and ‘string & tag’ teabags to sachets in standard retail and catering pack sizes. Tea accessories such as branded caddies, mugs and teapots are also available.
The Coffee and Luxury Hot Chocolate Drink launch completes a highly successful year for the family-run business, which has seen a tremendous growth in sales, up 48% in 2010, with a retail value in excess of £1 million. “We are delighted Welsh Brew Tea is attracting even more new customers,” says the company’s managing director and founder, Alan Wenden.
“Welsh Brew Tea was specially created for the Welsh market. When selecting tea it is important to find the right blend to ensure the best infusion, and consequently our tea is a special mixture harvested from the famous tea producing regions in Africa and India.”
This attention to detail has paid off for the Swansea-based business, which is bucking the national trend and recording dramatic growth.
Adds Alan, “Despite difficult trading conditions this year we predict further growth of around 18% by the end of 2011. Our aim is to double turnover in the next three years, and our new bedroom beverages are an integral part of that plan.”
Sold by all of the major supermarkets throughout Wales, as well as many independent retailers and delicatessens; Welsh Brew Tea is exported to Ireland and coast-to-coast in the USA.
“We have a firm foothold in the American market, and Welsh Brew Tea has struck a chord with Welsh people living in the US and those with Welsh heritage,” says Alan, who formed the parent company – Adwell Foods Ltd – 16 years ago.
“We are targeting the Welsh expat and Celtic market in the USA in a big way -we have just taken an additional distributor servicing the East Coast. We have also secured a new agreement with a major American speciality food chain.”
The bi-lingual packaging is already popular with the catering and hospitality industry throughout Wales with The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport and The Wynnstay Hotel in Machynlleth among the establishments - large and small - who offer Welsh Brew Tea in guests’ rooms.
Says Alan, “The tourism industry is a major contributor to the Welsh economy, and creating a ‘sense of place’ is a key part of its success. By offering Welsh branded products the hospitality and food service industries are helping to enhance the ‘Welsh’ experience for customers and visitors.”
"Where possible, we try to use local produce and we are always keen to support Welsh suppliers,” said Celtic Manor Resort Food and Beverage Director Glenn Lewis.
"Our guests like to get a real flavour of Wales when they visit Celtic Manor and many of them comment on the Welsh Brew Tea they see in their bedrooms, at breakfast and in our bars and restaurants. 


"There's something very traditional about a cup of tea and we are delighted we have such a quality Welsh supplier of this popular product."
The award-winning Wynnstay Hotel is an ardent supporter of Welsh food and drink, and Gareth Johns the Chef Proprietor has long served Welsh Brew Tea to his guests.
“It gives our guests an extra feel for Wales,” he says.
“However, we serve Welsh Brew Tea not just because it is Welsh, but because of its high quality and the excellent service we receive.”
Welsh Brew Tea is distributed to independent retail and catering outlets via Castell Howell Foods, Brakes, Harlech Food Services, M&D Supplies and Mary’s Farm House Ltd and is available online at www.welshbrewtea.com