Steeped in heritage, crafted with pride.

From three tea merchants in 1867 to a name enjoyed in over 40 countries today, our journey spans generations of craftsmanship, a spirit of discovery and a dedication to exceptional coffee and tea. Discover the people, passion and milestones that have shaped who we are today.

1867Founded in Edinburgh, Scotland
160Years of blending & roasting
1892Created the original UK breakfast tea
40+Countries served

Overview

Tea blenders, coffee roasters and chocolatiers. Crafted with pride.

From our roastery outside Edinburgh we source from the world's finest gardens and plantations, blend and roast in small batches, and share them with tea and coffee lovers around the world. In 2007 we joined the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, bringing global reach to a craft that's still proudly Scottish.

Our history

A brief history of Brodies

From three enterprising Scottish tea merchants in 1867 to a much-loved coffee and tea brand, enjoyed in over 40 countries today.

1867
Three merchants, one company
Three enterprising Scottish tea merchants join forces in Edinburgh to found Brodie, Melrose, Drysdale & Co.
1892
The first breakfast tea
Robert Drysdale is credited as the first tea manufacturer in the UK to produce a breakfast tea. Queen Victoria is said to have enjoyed it so much at Balmoral that she took a supply back to England, where it became known as “English Breakfast Tea”.
1928
Famous Edinburgh Tea
Brodies creates Famous Edinburgh tea. Over 90 years on, it remains one of our most popular blends and one of our most closely guarded recipes.
1930s
Coffee essence
Brodies starts making coffee essence for milk drinks, ice cream and baking, including a rum-flavoured variety. After the war, in the 1940s, instant coffee took its place.
1950s
Tea bags arrive
Tea bags join the Brodies range. Invented in America in 1908, they didn’t take off in Britain until the 1950s.
1960s
Viennese coffee
Always ahead of the fashion, Brodies introduces Viennese coffee: two shots of strong espresso topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.
1970s
New origins, new blends
When frosts in Brazil sent coffee prices soaring, Brodies responded with new origins and new blends.
1972
The Probat roaster
Brodies installs a Probat roaster, one of the first roasting houses to do so. It’s still the brand we roast on today.
1979
Joining the Tea Council
Brodies were founding members of the Tea Council.
1980s
Single origin coffees
Brodies launches a range of the best quality single origin, pure Arabica coffees, from the finest Kenyan to Java, supplied as filter options with machines to brew them.
1993
Handmade chocolates
Award-winning handmade chocolates join the range. Brodies is one of the first chocolatiers to use freeze-dried fruit in its centres, intensifying the flavour.
1998
Espresso and Fairtrade
As the espresso revolution begins, Brodies expands its specialist espresso range. Brodies also becomes one of the first Fairtrade licensees.
1999
The Volcanic range
Five espresso coffees named after volcanoes, celebrating the rich volcanic soils where most coffee grows, including Cotopaxi from Central America and Krakatoa from Indonesia.
2002
A home in Musselburgh
Brodies opens a purpose-built unit in Musselburgh, just outside Edinburgh.
2007
Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group
Brodies becomes part of the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, founded by an Italian coffee family. Through the group, Brodies teas are now sold in over 40 countries.
2013
Single estate coffees
Single estate Kenyan and Brazilian pulped natural coffees join the range as specialist filter options, made with the latest filter brewing technology.
2024
Onto supermarket shelves
The launch of our coffee and tea into supermarkets marked an exciting new chapter for Brodies, bringing our blends to more homes and making it easier to enjoy Brodies at home.

What we stand for

Trading fairly, Integrity at the core.

An early Fairtrade licensee since 1998, Brodies puts integrity at the heart of everything we do. Our three guiding principles, transparency, responsibility and respect, guide all our business practices.

Quality in Every Detail, Dedication to Excellence.

We’re dedicated to delivering excellence, putting care into every stage of production. We’re SALSA-accredited, award-winning chocolatiers and proud members of the UK Tea & Infusions Association and Scotland Food & Drink.

Rooted in Expertise, Driven by Innovation.

Built on a foundation of expertise dating back to 1867, our pioneering spirit lives on as we embrace innovation, stay at the forefront of emerging trends and find new ways to delight our customers.

A cup of coffee with latte art held over roasted coffee beans

How we choose

Judged by the cup

Every coffee bean and tea leaf is tested before we buy it. Here’s what happens long before it reaches your cup.

We buy green coffee from trusted farms and co-operatives around the world. Before we buy, every sample must pass five checks.

Moisture
We check each sample has the right moisture level, so the coffee is never musty or mouldy.
Screen size
A sample is graded to make sure the beans are the correct size.
Appearance
A weighed sample is checked bean by bean for defects, from colour and maturity to insect damage and stray stones or wood.
Sample roasting
The beans are lightly roasted to a medium brown, so any imperfections show up in the cup.
Cupping
The final test. We judge fragrance, flavour, aftertaste, acidity, sweetness, body and balance, and compare against previous samples.