Bluebird Tea Co takes off to help make a cool cuppa

Shelves are stocked with trendy teapots, strainers, and equipment for all types of tea-drinkers]

We all know that Brighton and Hove is a fairly saturated market when it comes to coffee. Made ever more cool in recent years, the dark, hot beverage is drunk by thousands of us from our favourite independents each and every day.

But what about tea? Can Bluebird Tea Co, a new independent tea shop, sway the cappuccino-lovers of Brighton and Hove towards something different?

Opening its doors three months ago, Bluebird Tea Co. is run by Mike and Krisi, a couple who utilised their shared love of tea, plus business knowledge, in order to bring the Bluebird brand to Brighton.

Originally trading online and heavily influenced by Canadian tea trends, the duo saw an opportunity for world-class tea mixology to be introduced to the United Kingdom. And, luckily for us, they chose Brighton as the city in which to do so.

Nestled beautifully on Gardner Street in the North Laine, Bluebird Tea Co. is hip and cool, with a touch of Brighton quirkiness. The shop itself is sparse, with emphasis on drawing attention to the magnificent tea blends, takeaway drinks counter, and scaffolding shelves stocked with trendy teapots, strainers, and equipment for both novice and experienced tea-drinkers.

Many of the gadgets on sale are from independent start-ups, with Bluebird openly supporting Kickstarter campaigns to ensure that great tea gizmos can get off the ground.

The range of teas here is extraordinary: green, black, mate, rooibos, herbal, and oolong all adorn the righthand wall in glimmering chrome tins.

Labelled with consideration, the collection of blends is easy to navigate and certainly appeals to a wide demographic of tea-drinkers. Sold by weight, all teas are blended on site, with Mike and Krisi keen for shoppers to let their senses guide them into making the right purchase.

And what a sensory experience Bluebird Tea Co is. Smelling lids full of beautiful tea is a great way to explore the blends on offer. From smooth and sweet peppermint cream, calming lavender, fruity strawberry lemonade to almond-infused cherry bakewell, each tea is bespoke and individual.

All teas are also made without added preservatives, syrups, or sugars. You can even bring your own tins and have them filled with Bluebird's collection of blends.

Krisi, Mike and the team are knowledgeable and love to share suggestions whether it's relaxation, weight-loss, digestion, or energy you're looking for from your cuppa.

Blends can be used as bases for cocktails, drinks, sweet treats and cakes, making Bluebird Tea Co. a fantastic one-stop drinks shop.

Sipping on an iced Mojitea, this green-tea-based blend was ideal for the sweltering heat of the day: cool, refreshing with peppermint and lime, it was testament to why it is one of Bluebird's top-sellers.

Without pretension or elitism, Bluebird welcome you to find your own tea taste at this simple yet highly-effective shop. A brilliant addition to the food and drink scene, Bluebird is unique to Brighton and how privileged we are to have them here.