Meet the Expert: Tea
An interview with Barry's Tea of Ireland
15 March 2023, San Diego, California, USA
Dark, cold, early, Christmas, bright, busy, calm - morning? In any case, the answer is Barry’s.
That is, for me, there is only one answer. After I have pulled my body from the loveliness of my warm bed, washed my face, and slipped on my robe the reply to my morning greeting is always: Barry’s.Â
For me Barry’s Original Blend black tea is a critical part of my day. My mom drank it while I was growing up, my father, a coffee-only-man, always drank it in Ireland during our summer trips, my husband, Wemple, drinks it, and I cannot imagine my kitchen cupboard tea box without it.Â
When I moved back from China and began working at a Kiwi SaaS company1 and was living in Washington DC, a break for a cup of Barry’s was lit. Literally, it would give me 5 - 7 minutes of sanity and restore my confidence before I went back to grinding through afternoon cold calls getting rejected. Even today, while at work2 I will look forward to setting my brother’s (we work together) fancy Fellow kettle to 100 degrees C and slapping a Barry’s bag into one of his equally fancy Japanese Hasami porcelain mugs3 - the tradition of a tea break, sound of the tea in the bag, a warm cup in my hands, aroma of the libation… ‘tis perfect.Â
For those who are new here at 21st & 18th, Meet the Expert is the fourth and final chapter of each week where we interview an expert in the field we have been obsessing over.
Given my general adoration for and appreciation of tea as well as my history with Barry’s, when 21st & 18th settled on hosting Two Weeks of Tea as a concept I got to work connecting with the Barry’s team in Ireland - thank you, seven grueling years of sales.
The fruit of my labors was a wonderful discussion on tea with Faizan Ahmed, Global Export Manager from Barry’s Tea. (Go Ireland!)
I am quite pleased with myself for this, as to me the only stronger interview for Meet the Expert during Two Weeks of Tea would’ve been with Señor Barry himself.
Without further preamble, I give you a chat with Faizan of Barry’s Ireland.
LLW: For our Readers, would you provide a bit of background on yourself and your position at Barry's?
Barry’s Tea Ireland : I work at Barry's Tea as a Business development manager for Global exports and E-commerce. I have been with the company since October 2022 and my responsibilities include dealing with our partners in countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East as well as managing the e-commerce business. I completed my master’s in Business & Economics from University College Cork (Ireland) and I spent 5 years working in the pharmaceutical industry in London before making the switch over.
LLW: How did Barry's come to be? When was the brand founded?
Barry’s Tea Ireland: Barry’s Tea was founded in 1901 by James J. Barry, grandfather of Peter Barry. From the very beginning, quality was at the heart of our family’s business. In 1934, Anthony Barry was awarded the Empire Cup for tea blending, confirming his expertise in the tea trade. This tradition of quality without compromise continues to this day. Until the 1960s, our teas were sourced mostly from India and Sri Lanka and were sold mainly from our shop in Prince’s Street, Cork. But when our blends kept growing in popularity, we widened our wholesaling and distribution channels. We began selling our teas to other shops in Cork, expanding into the suburbs, then out to the rest of the country. In 1960, Peter Barry, Anthony’s son, pioneered the concept of wholesaling tea and began sourcing tea from East Africa. There was an incredible reaction to these new blends, and they became something of Barry’s Tea signature. It became apparent that the qualities of freshness, flavour and that distinctive golden colour were very much unique to our tea. Through word of mouth alone, our reputation continued to grow and by the mid-1980s Barry’s Tea had become a much-loved national brand, a fact which makes us incredibly proud.Â
LLW: Have you always had a personal love of tea? When did your love of tea become serious?
Barry’s Tea Ireland: I've always had a personal love for tea, ever since I was a child. My family comes from a culture where tea is a staple beverage, and I grew up drinking it daily. However, it wasn't until I started exploring different types of teas as an adult that my love for tea became more serious. I discovered the many health benefits of different teas, such as green tea's antioxidants and chamomile tea's calming effects. I also began to appreciate the different tastes and aromas of tea and how they can evoke different moods and emotions. During my university and working days, I moved away from drinking tea and started drinking coffee instead. It was a quick and convenient way to get the caffeine boost I needed to get through the day. However, as time passed, I found myself missing the taste and ritual of brewing a cup of tea. I started exploring different types of teas again and found that my love for tea had been reignited. It's been a wonderful journey rediscovering my love for tea, trying out different blends, and experimenting with brewing techniques. While coffee still has a place in my life, my love for tea has definitely made a comeback and is now an integral part of my daily routine.
LLW: What are your favorite teas to drink at home?Â
Barry’s Tea Ireland: Barry’s Tea Gold blend with hot milk, Our famous signature blend. Sourced from the finest tea gardens of Rwanda, Kenya and the Assam Valley of India, our Gold Blend is famous for its rich golden colour and much-loved taste. Gold blend is known to be Ireland’s favourite tea, a tea that enriches every moment.
LLW: Would you share more about your tea ritual(s)?
Barry’s Tea Ireland: I'd love to share my tea rituals with you! One of my favourite things to do is to start the day with a hot cup of Barry’s Gold Blend tea. I usually prefer a strong black tea with a splash of milk and a dash of sugar to give me the energy I need to kickstart my day.
In the afternoon, I like to take a break from work and brew a pot of Barry’s Green tea, which I find helps me to stay focused and calm. I love the process of brewing tea in a teapot.
In the evenings, I often wind down with a cup of Barry’s Decaf tea, which I find very soothing and relaxing. Watching a football match or Netflix series on tv is with a cuppa of Barry’s Decaf tea is the perfect way to wind down your day and helps you appreciate that moment.
Overall, my tea rituals are all about taking a moment to slow down, enjoy the process of brewing tea, and savouring the different flavors and aromas that each type of tea has to offer
LLW: In your opinion, what tea accessories are necessary for the at home brewer (that they might not already have or be acquainted with)?
Barry’s Tea Ireland: In my opinion, there are a few tea accessories that can take your at-home tea brewing to the next level. One of my favourite accessories is a good quality tea kettle, preferably one that has a temperature control feature, which allows you to heat the water to the perfect temperature for the type of tea you're brewing. This can make a big difference in the flavour and aroma of your tea.
Another essential accessory is a tea infuser or strainer. Loose-leaf tea provides a much more flavourful and aromatic cup of tea, but it can be messy if you don't have a proper infuser or strainer. There are many different types available, from mesh ball infusers to basket infusers, so it's important to find one that works for the type of tea you're brewing.
Lastly, for those who enjoy exploring different types of tea, a tea sampler set can be a great way to try out new blends and varieties without committing to a full-size package. It can be a fun and affordable way to expand your tea collection and discover new favourites.
Overall, these tea accessories can enhance the at-home tea brewing experience and help to bring out the best flavours and aromas in your tea.
LLW: Parting advice to our readers at : What type of lesser known tea would you recommend they try? Why?
Barry’s Tea Ireland: We are proud of our Decaf blend. It is freshly blended with the same high-quality leaves as our Gold Blend. The good news is it has less than 0.2% caffeine, but tastes just as good. It’s the perfect choice for those late night cups just before you go to your bed.
Thank you, Faizan & Barry’s. It is an honor to host you at 21st & 18th.
What a joy to consider the story behind the products and businesses we use and appreciate daily.
Next time you brew yourself a cup or pot of Barry’s, imagine you are taking a cuppa with James J. Barry, Peter Barry, Anthony Barry, Faizan - even me. How does the moment change? Is there new depth? Someone you would like to share that feeling or thought with?
Everything around us holds a history, a map; and unraveling such gives tea time, or any time, a new dimension.
I’ll write soon.
Cheers,
LLW
I sold big data and AI software to museums and cultural attractions - I’ve got war stories, if you’re keen
Kind of difficult to come by by fabulous - beware of the gloss vs. the non-gloss