Frequently Asked Questions
Modern Tea
Modern Tea is our belief that tea deserves the same care, curiosity and attention that transformed coffee. It is thoughtfully sourced, clearly communicated and designed for the ritual of everyday.
We don’t begin with trends or marketing claims. We begin with the leaf.
Every tea is selected for its flavour, provenance and character, then shared with the clarity it deserves.
Tea has always been more than a drink. It creates moments of pause, connection and reflection. We believe those rituals matter now more than ever.
No. Modern Tea builds on tradition. We honour centuries of craftsmanship while making exceptional tea more approachable for today’s drinker.
Tea & Brewing
Start with a tea you’ll naturally enjoy. English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Triple Mint or Chamomile are familiar places to begin before exploring more expressive styles.
Not always.
The quality of the leaf matters far more than the format. Loose leaf often allows larger leaves to unfurl fully, creating greater clarity, texture and flavour.
Different teas respond differently to heat. Lower temperatures protect delicate green and white teas, while black teas and herbal infusions develop best with hotter water.
Each tea has its own recommended brewing guide. We provide guidance on dose, temperature and infusion time to help you get the best from every cup.
Many loose leaf teas can be infused multiple times. Each infusion reveals different characteristics, often becoming softer and more expressive with subsequent brews.
Many loose leaf teas can be infused multiple times. Each infusion reveals different
Tea won’t suddenly become unsafe to drink, but it gradually loses freshness and aroma over time. We recommend enjoying tea while it is at its best.
Tea Knowledge
Black, green, white, oolong and puerh all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. What makes them different is how the leaves are processed after harvest.
The difference lies in processing.
Green teas preserve the freshness of the leaf. Black teas are fully oxidised, creating greater depth. Oolong sits between the two, offering an extraordinary range of flavours.
Puerh is a traditional tea from Yunnan, China. It develops character through ageing or fermentation, producing remarkable depth and complexity.
Not technically.
Herbal infusions are made from flowers, herbs, fruits and spices rather than the tea plant.
Black, green, white, oolong and puerh teas naturally contain caffeine. Herbal infusions do not. The exact amount varies depending on the tea, the harvest and how it is brewed.
Decaffeinated tea contains only trace amounts of caffeine. While most has had the vast majority removed, it is not completely caffeine free.
Sourcing
We source directly from producers across some of the world’s most celebrated tea-growing regions, building relationships that deepen over time.
Yes.
Whenever possible, we spend time with the people behind our teas. Visiting producers helps us understand each harvest, strengthen relationships and continue learning.
Every tea is selected for its flavour, provenance and character.
We taste widely, ask questions and look beyond trends or reputation. Only a small number become part of our collection.
We believe responsible sourcing begins with long-term relationships, transparency and mutual respect. Rather than making broad claims, we focus on building partnerships that benefit both growers and the future of great tea.
Wholesale
Yes.
We partner with independent cafés, restaurants, hotels, workplaces and hospitality groups across the UK and beyond.
Yes.
From brewing fundamentals to menu development and tea education, we help teams serve tea with confidence.
Absolutely.
We work with our partners to build tea menus that reflect their food, service style and guest experience.
Yes.
We supply a carefully selected range of brewing equipment designed to help hospitality teams serve tea consistently.
Orders
We aim to dispatch orders as quickly as possible. Standard delivery is sent using Royal Mail Tracked 48, with next day and DPD delivery options available at checkout. Delivery times may vary during particularly busy periods, but we’ll always keep you informed.
At the moment, we only ship within the United Kingdom.
As we continue to grow, we hope to make Canton available in more countries. Join our newsletter to hear when international delivery becomes available.
Yes.
Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing your tracking details so you can follow your delivery from our door to yours.
If you need to make a change, please contact us as soon as possible at hello@cantontea.com.
If your order hasn’t already been packed or dispatched, we’ll always do our best to help.
We want every experience with Canton to leave you wanting to come back.
If something isn’t right, we’d love the opportunity to put it right. Whether it’s a delivery issue, a product concern or simply a question about your order, please get in touch and our team will do everything they can to help.
Our goal isn’t simply to resolve problems. It’s to create customers who genuinely love buying tea from us.
We’re sorry to hear that.
Please email hello@cantontea.com with your order number and, where possible, a photograph of the damaged item. We’ll review your order and work quickly to arrange a replacement or suitable resolution.
Yes.
Creating an account allows you to view previous orders, save your details for faster checkout and manage your account in one place. You can create an account during checkout or at any time through our website.
Our subscriptions make it easy to enjoy your favourite teas without needing to reorder each time.
Choose your preferred tea, select how often you’d like it delivered, and we’ll take care of the rest. You can manage, pause, skip or cancel your subscription whenever you like through your online account.
For more information, visit our Subscriptions page.
