Where does the unique flavour and character of Adalbert’s Tea come from?
Adalbert’s Tea teas begin their journey on Sri Lankan plantations, where the climate, altitude and fertile soil of Ceylon give the leaves their unique character. The leaves of our tea are hand-picked - with the utmost precision, as only the young shoots and top leaves have the fullness of flavour. What kind of infusion you get in your cup depends on the quality of the leaf. The most prized are those with the designation OP1, i.e. the upper leaves of the tea bush. Long, whole, they give a clear and elegant flavour - light yet deep. BOPF is the designation of cut leaves, whose aroma is stronger and more intense in colour. This difference affects the consumer experience and the form of the tea. OP1 is a fine leaf tea, while BOPF is a dried tea ideal for packaging in sachets.
The next stage of production is oxidation, a process that defines the character of the tea. Black tea leaves undergo full oxidation and gain strength. Green tea undergoes minimal oxidation, so it retains its freshness, vegetal character and natural colour. White tea, on the other hand, hardly undergoes this process - its delicate, subtle flavour is due to the simplest processing, which involves drying. It is actually dried leaves barely bathed in sunlight. After being packaged in golden elephant tins, the teas make their way by sea to Europe. Here, logistics can be a challenge - weather conditions or global supply chain disruptions sometimes cross our plans. Storms on the ocean? Normal. Pirates? It happens. It’s a reminder that tea, as much as ever, still travels halfway around the adventurous world to find its way into a cup in Poland.
What trends are shaping the tea market today?
We are happy to see that the tea market in Poland and around the world is undergoing a renaissance. Although black tea in sachets is still the most popular, consumers are becoming more aware and looking for products of the highest quality, new flavours and interesting ideas for their daily rituals. This is why the premium leaf tea segment is growing so rapidly.
At Adalbert’s, we respond to these needs and try to stay ahead of the trends. A good example is our Earl Grey with cardamom - a proposition that at first seemed daring is now one of our bestsellers. This proves that the Polish consumer is open to less obvious flavour combinations when quality and authenticity are behind them. And speaking of trends - 2025 is still the time of matcha in Poland. It is in ice cream, in cakes, in smoothies, even in dry dishes. Everyone loves its green colour and “superfood vibe”, but few people remember that matcha is simply tea made from Camellia sinensis. This shows that tea has the amazing ability to enter new culinary worlds. For us, it is an inspiration to create new products and a way to attract younger consumers.
What are the most important sales channels for Adalbert’s Tea today?
In Poland, the modern channel and discount chains play a key role. It is through them that we can reach a very wide range of consumers and build mass availability. We take care of the presence of our regular items, and at the same time we like to surprise consumers with seasonal actions. What do we offer in winter?
Definitely less green tea, but more orange, clove and cinnamon. Because in winter, tea has to warm, smell and wrap you up... that’s why our Christmas portfolio is so popular. We develop e-commerce in parallel, treating it as an important source of knowledge about consumer preferences. The online shop allows us to test new products, gather quick feedback and offer the broadest product portfolio. It is a space where we build relationships with our most engaged customers and listen to their feedback. And in the process, we really learn a lot! In overseas markets, the HoReCa sector is becoming increasingly important. We see a growing demand from hotels and restaurants for premium teas that can become an important part of the guest experience and match the quality of wine or coffee. And this is a space where we feel there is huge potential.
What development goals does Adalbert’s Tea have in mind?
Our priority remains to maintain the highest quality products and to consistently expand our range. We will never take shortcuts, because premium tea is a promise that cannot be broken. Secondly - we are constantly developing new flavours and collections that surprise. We love to play with seasonality - tea in beautiful packaging becomes a gift, a ritual, an experience. Communicatively, education is important to us. We want to support the growth of the leaf tea category, showing that brewing tea does not have to be difficult, and that the ritual itself brings peace and pleasure to everyday life. And that coveted moment for yourself.... And finally, HoReCa. We see Adalbert’s wherever people meet - in restaurants, hotels, family dinners and holiday trips. Tea knows no boundaries - it accompanies you at home, on the road, at work. And it is this versatility that makes our brand have a truly beautiful future.
Adalbert’s Tea teas begin their journey on Sri Lankan plantations, where the climate, altitude and fertile soil of Ceylon give the leaves their unique character. The leaves of our tea are hand-picked - with the utmost precision, as only the young shoots and top leaves have the fullness of flavour. What kind of infusion you get in your cup depends on the quality of the leaf. The most prized are those with the designation OP1, i.e. the upper leaves of the tea bush. Long, whole, they give a clear and elegant flavour - light yet deep. BOPF is the designation of cut leaves, whose aroma is stronger and more intense in colour. This difference affects the consumer experience and the form of the tea. OP1 is a fine leaf tea, while BOPF is a dried tea ideal for packaging in sachets.
The next stage of production is oxidation, a process that defines the character of the tea. Black tea leaves undergo full oxidation and gain strength. Green tea undergoes minimal oxidation, so it retains its freshness, vegetal character and natural colour. White tea, on the other hand, hardly undergoes this process - its delicate, subtle flavour is due to the simplest processing, which involves drying. It is actually dried leaves barely bathed in sunlight. After being packaged in golden elephant tins, the teas make their way by sea to Europe. Here, logistics can be a challenge - weather conditions or global supply chain disruptions sometimes cross our plans. Storms on the ocean? Normal. Pirates? It happens. It’s a reminder that tea, as much as ever, still travels halfway around the adventurous world to find its way into a cup in Poland.
What trends are shaping the tea market today?
We are happy to see that the tea market in Poland and around the world is undergoing a renaissance. Although black tea in sachets is still the most popular, consumers are becoming more aware and looking for products of the highest quality, new flavours and interesting ideas for their daily rituals. This is why the premium leaf tea segment is growing so rapidly.
At Adalbert’s, we respond to these needs and try to stay ahead of the trends. A good example is our Earl Grey with cardamom - a proposition that at first seemed daring is now one of our bestsellers. This proves that the Polish consumer is open to less obvious flavour combinations when quality and authenticity are behind them. And speaking of trends - 2025 is still the time of matcha in Poland. It is in ice cream, in cakes, in smoothies, even in dry dishes. Everyone loves its green colour and “superfood vibe”, but few people remember that matcha is simply tea made from Camellia sinensis. This shows that tea has the amazing ability to enter new culinary worlds. For us, it is an inspiration to create new products and a way to attract younger consumers.
What are the most important sales channels for Adalbert’s Tea today?
In Poland, the modern channel and discount chains play a key role. It is through them that we can reach a very wide range of consumers and build mass availability. We take care of the presence of our regular items, and at the same time we like to surprise consumers with seasonal actions. What do we offer in winter?
Definitely less green tea, but more orange, clove and cinnamon. Because in winter, tea has to warm, smell and wrap you up... that’s why our Christmas portfolio is so popular. We develop e-commerce in parallel, treating it as an important source of knowledge about consumer preferences. The online shop allows us to test new products, gather quick feedback and offer the broadest product portfolio. It is a space where we build relationships with our most engaged customers and listen to their feedback. And in the process, we really learn a lot! In overseas markets, the HoReCa sector is becoming increasingly important. We see a growing demand from hotels and restaurants for premium teas that can become an important part of the guest experience and match the quality of wine or coffee. And this is a space where we feel there is huge potential.
What development goals does Adalbert’s Tea have in mind?
Our priority remains to maintain the highest quality products and to consistently expand our range. We will never take shortcuts, because premium tea is a promise that cannot be broken. Secondly - we are constantly developing new flavours and collections that surprise. We love to play with seasonality - tea in beautiful packaging becomes a gift, a ritual, an experience. Communicatively, education is important to us. We want to support the growth of the leaf tea category, showing that brewing tea does not have to be difficult, and that the ritual itself brings peace and pleasure to everyday life. And that coveted moment for yourself.... And finally, HoReCa. We see Adalbert’s wherever people meet - in restaurants, hotels, family dinners and holiday trips. Tea knows no boundaries - it accompanies you at home, on the road, at work. And it is this versatility that makes our brand have a truly beautiful future.
