Our commitments
A Promise Kept, A Shared Ethic
For over a century, Betjeman & Barton has been committed to offering more than just tea: a sensitive experience, a true emotion, and respected expertise. Behind every cup lies a promise kept, forged in loyalty to deep, human, and responsible values. Our commitments are founding acts that give meaning to our history and their brilliance to our leaves.
QUALITY
An Art of Tea, Born from a Requirement
Since its inception, our House has been renowned for the finesse of its selection. At Betjeman & Barton, quality isn't improvised: it's cultivated with rigor, passion, and perseverance. Leading this quest for excellence, Agnès Defontaine, our Executive Managing Director, travels the world, from the heights of Sri Lanka to the misty hills of Yunnan, in search of the most beautiful tea gardens.
Each leaf is chosen for its rarity, its unique aromatic profile, but also for its ability to meet the demanding criteria of our House and the subtle expectations of our customers. Some harvests are so precious that they are only available for one season, sourced from small producers ignored by traditional channels. It is this attention to detail, this ever-awakening curiosity, that allows us to offer vintages as rare as they are ephemeral, true infused treasures.
A FRENCH PRODUCTION
French Know-How - A House Signature
While our leaves may be found at the ends of the earth, it's in France that they take on their character. It's here, in our workshops, that the tea becomes Betjeman & Barton. Sorting, meticulous inspection, delicate blending, refined packaging: each step is carefully considered, crafted, and mastered according to artisanal standards that combine tradition and French elegance.
We choose local: our packaging, designed by small regional businesses, reflects our values—sustainability, care, and precision. This connection between local origin and French touch embodies our vision of a tea that respects its roots, yet always strives for excellence and creativity.
A RESPONSIBLE HOUSE
Fair and Sustainable Relationships
We've always considered our producers to be trusted partners. Through travel, exchanges, and loyalty, we've forged strong relationships with gardens around the world—both large and family-run.
This mutual commitment is based on clear foundations: fair pay, the assurance of free and dignified work, and strict compliance with on-site hygiene and safety standards. Because exceptional tea also stems from a humane and ethical framework, we make it a point of honor to guarantee healthy and sustainable production conditions. This is how we preserve ancestral know-how, while protecting those who bring it to life.
CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
From Organic to Natural – Quality Before the Label
Aware of the growing expectations surrounding organic farming, we offer a selection of certified organic teas, labeled FR-BIO-01 by ECOCERT. But beyond labels, it's the reality on the ground that matters to us.
This "organic" concept, although very present in Europe, is not yet fully assimilated in the same way by all tea-producing countries. It is for this reason, in particular, that several owners, although carrying out their harvests according to organic farming methods and without any chemicals, do not have organic certification. However, their tea is pure, authentic, and fully respects our quality charter. At Betjeman & Barton, respect for nature is not decreed, it is practiced.
AN ECOLOGICAL VOCATION
Towards a More Responsible Tea
Our commitment to the environment is reflected in concrete, daily actions. We encourage loose tea consumption, not only for its noble taste, but also for its reduced impact. Storing your tea in a metal tin, which is infinitely recyclable, combines pleasure and conscience.
Our bags are made from corn starch, making them industrially biodegradable, and our research continues toward a wood cellulose envelope, moving toward an even more home-compostable ambition. Every step counts, every innovation brings us closer to a more sustainable future.
A COMMITMENT
Committed to the Heart of the Profession
For over twenty years, our company has been an active member of STEPI, the French Tea and Infusion Plant Union. A formal commitment, certainly, but above all, a conviction: that our profession must be built on transparency, loyalty, and excellence.
This code of professional ethics to which we adhere requires us to guarantee a high level of quality, to respond to societal and environmental issues, and to promote
healthy competition between market players. These are all pillars that resonate deeply with our way of acting humbly, but with conviction.
A BIG HEART
The Joy of Sharing – A Meaningful Collaboration
In 2016, we crossed paths with Café Joyeux , an inclusive company that employs people with disabilities. It quickly became clear that we shared the same human values and the same belief in diversity as a source of wealth.
From this wonderful encounter, a "joyous tea" was born, a true anthem to enthusiasm, taste, and sharing. Following its success, a "joyous herbal tea" was born, and our collaboration was enriched by moments of training and sharing with Joyeux team members. Because tea is also a connection, a language of the heart.
REWARDS
A House Recognized by the Greats
In the demanding world of gastronomy, Betjeman & Barton has established itself as a benchmark. Since 2015, we have had the honor of being part of the Collège Culinaire de France , a collective of artisans and restaurateurs working to promote excellent products.
Since 2014, the Gault&Millau guide has also included us in its selection, praising the quality, finesse, and originality of our teas. And over the years, numerous Michelin-starred chefs, both in France and abroad, have chosen our House to accompany their creations, making our teas a natural extension of their cuisine. This precious recognition inspires and honors us.
