Tetley Tea

Tetley is another gigantic purveyor of tea. It orginates in the first half of the nineteenth century with former packhorse traders from Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Brothers Joseph and Edward founded Joseph Tetley & Co Tea Merchants in 1837. It is remarkable that the white rose county should have at least two major brands of tea to claim its own. While Lancastrians were out and about building an empire, Yorkshiremen were by the fireside, slurping tea.

Interestingly, I have two friends (both Lancastrians) who have very different tastes in tea. One loathes Tetley, and prefers PG Tips. The other detests PG Tips and much enjoys Tetley. So which is the better brand? Which firm blends the superior tea? It is, of course, a simple matter of taste. I cannot gainsay a man’s tastebud, nor convince him that his preferences are incorrect. Indeed, there are many times in life when one man’s pleasure is another man’s poison; this could be poetry, politicians, music or culture. Even within the community of the redeemed, preferences for a style of worship music or strong feelings on alcohol or meat will differ one to another. Yet on the truths of the gospel, such as Christ’s deity, death, resurrection and return, we are not dealing with matters of taste, but truth and falsehood. Should ever the Lord’s people be caused to disagree, it is wise to establish whether it is upon a matter of taste (a mere preference) or a matter of weight: an issue of truth and falsehood. One’s predilection for tea is a private and personal matter; one's relationship to truth and orthodoxy is a concern to the entire cosmos.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Col 2:8-10