A conversation between two friends in Belfast led to one of the UK and Ireland's most successful sustainable tea brands.
Suki Tea was co-founded by Oscar Woolley and Annie Irwin in 2005 and now supplies thousands of customers from independent cafes, to major retailers, and exports products to over 20 countries worldwide.
The brand started off from a casual chat between the two friends while on a walk through Belfast city centre, as they were looking for more than the standard 9-5 job. Brainstorming potential business ideas, Oscar and Annie decided on tea where they felt they could make the biggest impact.
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In 2023, Suki Tea moved to a state-of-the-art eco-friendly production facility, and kicked off its 20th anniversary year by becoming Northern Ireland’s first certified B Corp tea company at the first attempt, recognising its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.
The brand is proudly plastic free, and will soon even remove the glue its packaging labels to remove plastics entirely from its production. Suki Tea’s sustainable ‘Eco Factory’ runs on up to 100% wind energy, with solar panels generating 17% of its electricity and heating.
Speaking about the beginnng of their business, Oscar said: "One of the ideas we came up with, rather grandly, was to reinvent tea. Coffee was big at the time, and the original plan was to open a tea house and bring the same care and curiosity to tea that coffee receives. But when we started selling our loose-leaf teas at farmers’ markets, the reaction was so positive that we pivoted to wholesale instead."
Following that first farmer’s market, a local coffee shop owner agreed to trial Suki’s loose-leaf teas – which have become renowned for their unique character, tasting notes, and in several Belfast coffee shops. However, the firm’s major breakthrough came at a 2006 trade show in Dublin, where Oscar and Annie caught the attention of Matthew Algie, one of the UK and Ireland’s largest coffee and equipment suppliers.
“They saw something in us and invited us to pitch at their Glasgow HQ,” Oscar said. “That meeting changed everything. Their expertise and customer base gave us the platform to grow – and that’s what we did.”
Matthew Algie entered a partnership with Suki Tea, leaving Oscar and Annie at the helm, and it expanded rapidly, growing to supply 2,000 customers at its peak and establishing an international presence. While the pandemic in 2020 scaled back some of its operations, the company has since recovered and maintains a position as one of the UK and Ireland’s most recognisable speciality tea brands.
As Suki Tea marks two decades in business, sustainability remains a cornerstone of its business. Its B Corp certification, with a score of 98.3, was testament to the importance of the company's ethical and environmental initiatives, including the introduction of compostable packaging that has removed 10 tonnes of plastic from circulation.
The move to a purpose designed and built eco-friendly production facility has further bolstered its green credentials, as have ethical practices including becoming an early adopter of Fairtrade and the Real Living Wage, supporting Responsible Plastic Management, and being the first in the UK to achieve Take 5 Workplace accreditation.
“We designed the factory with sustainability at its core,” said Oscar. “It’s more than just a workspace – it’s a statement of what we stand for. From sourcing to packaging, we focus on finding sustainable solutions. For example, we recently eliminated glue-backed labels by printing directly onto compostable bags. It’s these small innovations that make a big difference.”
Over the years, Suki Tea has continually adapted to meet changing consumer tastes while staying true to its ethos of quality and creativity.
“The market evolves, and so do we,” said Oscar. “But our dedication to bold flavours and consistent quality remains. Our Breakfast Tea, for instance, is a classic that’s always popular, as are others we have become famous for including Belfast Brew, Apple Loves Mint, Earl Grey Blue Flower, and more. ”
Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its reach further across the UK through retail and e-commerce, but remains true to its roots in Northern Ireland that mean so much to its founders.
“We’ve built a strong foundation of trust and heritage here in Northern Ireland and beyond over the past 20 years,” Oscar added. “Now, we want to bring Suki Tea to even more people, and that’s what the next chapter is all about. We’ve kicked off our 20th by becoming a B Corp, we have a really exciting brand refresh to come soon, and there’s loads more to come across the UK and internationally.”
Reflecting on their journey, Oscar said: “This business started with a commitment to quality and a lot of creativity. Along the way, we’ve been supported by incredible customers, partners, and a brilliant team. Tea is all about connection, and we’re grateful to be a part of that. It’s fair to say tea transformed our lives!”
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