“I first got into tea drinking through my travels, as well as from my family who really enjoy drinking tea. Teatime was a big thing for us – we would all sit down together at 16:00.”
Emilie Holmes
Founder of Good & Proper Tea
Our Urban Explorer
Could you please introduce yourselves to our guests?
Hello! I am Emilie Holmes and I am the Founder of Good and Proper Tea, London-based tea specialists that source single-origin teas from around the world and then help our customers get the best possible flavour in each cup. We also supply our teas to some of UK’s most renowned restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels. Where I am from is a difficult question to answer! I was born in Paris, and currently reside in London. My father was a diplomat which meant we moved around quite a lot. I have lived in India, Portugal, New York and France but London is where I call home.
How did you get into tea drinking?
I first got into tea drinking through my travels, as well as from my family who really enjoy drinking tea. Teatime was a big thing for us – we would all sit down together at 16:00. We would also start the day with tea. A huge influence was when I was living in India between the ages of 7 and 11, where we had the chance to visit various tea estates and it was during that time that I discovered that there was a lot more to tea. There was something about the great craft and ritual around it. At some point, those two things linked in my mind and it got me very excited. My journey till now really revolved around tea. It is just so fascinating to me!
Your business is certainly a labour of love and it is evident in your delicious tea offerings. So why did you decide to start Good & Proper Tea?
The main reason was I didn’t drink coffee! I can appreciate a delicious cup of coffee nowadays, however, I was frustrated that I couldn’t get a good cup of tea when I was out and about. More often than not, in the UK, it was a poor experience. To me, I felt there was really no care or passion around tea. Most establishments were simply using a tea bag. I felt I could do it better at home, so I guess it started with a frustration like so many businesses! I always wondered why I didn’t get the same service and quality that you could get in a coffee house. Hence, I decided to start Good & Proper Tea so that I could offer fellow tea-drinkers the same quality experience that coffee-drinkers currently enjoy.
How do you think you fit into the term “Urban Explorer”?
I’ve been lucky enough to live in different countries, which has helped me learn to be an explorer. I had quite the nomadic childhood and it always seemed like exploring to me, which has made me into the curious person I am today. I am always looking for great little corners of the city that you wouldn’t find without getting lost. When we were at university, my husband and I used to save up and then spend our summers travelling all over the world. We really love exploring!
What does a day in the life of Emilie Holmes look like?
It is very hard to remember what normal looks like nowadays! I have a 2-year-old, so pre-COVID, I would usually take my child to nursery on the back of my bike in the morning. Then, I would head into the office and join the team to discuss our plans for the week ahead. Sometimes, I can be in the office all day but more often than not, I am dashing around the city to talk to restaurants and cafes and attending tea tastings. I am always chatting to a lot of people from different sectors so this keeps it unique and interesting. No two days are the same with so many different people to meet. I will then come back to pick up my son from nursery and bring him home. I might meet a friend for dinner afterwards or cook a delicious meal at home. No day is ever the same, which I feel very luck for! It is definitely the best thing about my job!
Teatime Is The Best Time
The Brits are known for being tea drinkers. Why do you think there is such a thriving tea culture in this part of the world?
I must admit that England is one of the most confusing tea markets. We have always drunk massive volumes of tea, but we typically have the lowest quality of tea. At origin, we’re famous for drinking the largest amount of the lowest grade of tea. It definitely has a special place in our history and culture. When it comes to variety and quality, the market is still in its infancy. There are so many flavours to explore! However, the market is slowly evolving and consumers are starting to care a lot more about the quality and flavour of tea, mixing up the teas they have in their cupboard. For example, at home, I might drink 5 different teas in a day, each with a different taste and profile.
What are some of your favourite teas?
I love all types of teas, but my go-to teas are Assam when I need something punchy in the morning – a rich, malty Indian breakfast tea. I also really enjoy our single origin black tea from Rwanda. I’ll finish my day off with Chamomile tea. In between these times, I may have a delicious Hibiscus or green tea mid-morning, or a Peppermint tea after lunch!
What makes for the ultimate cup of tea? Can you share any tips with us when it comes to making a perfect pot of tea?
There are a few things to get right, aside from the quality of tea. I would say good water is key – freshly drawn, filtered water. Water that has been boiled and reboiled loses its oxygen, leaving you with a lacklustre cup of tea.
Different seasons call for different tea beverages – iced teas to keep us cool in the summer and hot teas for those long winter nights. Can you recommend to us which teas may be most appropriate for each season?
In the summer, I would recommend light, aromatic teas on a sunny day – perhaps a green tea or a Darjeeling. During the winter, I would opt for something richer to cosy up with, like an Assam or a smoky Yunnan. I also love iced tea and drink it throughout the year, but particularly in the summer. Earl Grey, Hibiscus, Lemon Verbena – they all work brilliantly as bases for iced tea recipes.
We had a glimpse of your book “Good & Proper Tea”, which has opened up our eyes to the possibility of using tea for everyday cooking. Do you have any particular favourite dish cooked with tea/ tea leaves?
The best recipes I have tried using tea is the Rooibos (a South African herb) & Vanilla Ice Cream, as well as a Matcha Lemon Loaf – it’s absolutely delicious!
How do you define success?
It is an evolving milestone, and for me, it is not just one thing. It could be looking after a team of passionate people, seeing a great customer review come in, or sharing our growth with those at origin. At the end of the day, it makes you feel as if you are doing something good for the world, and having a positive impact on the full circle – from producer to customer and your team in between. It is such a thrill each time we receive a positive review from a happy customer. To me, this is shared success!
Travel Inspiration
How often do you travel? Do you travel more for work or pleasure?
Honestly, travel feels like it is in my blood but it feels like I am never doing as much as I hoped I would! I was lucky enough to have travelled to Sri Lanka just prior to the lockdown though. My husband and I also used to travel a lot in University. We would disappear for months at a time! I feel very lucky that travel and dealing with producers all over the world is part of our work – although I still wish I was able to travel more often than I do!
Now, more than ever, we are getting the travel itch. Where does your inspiration for travel come from?
At this point, it is very much a bucket list situation, as it is harder now that I have a child. I really love reading travel magazines like Suitcase magazine, and I enjoy getting inspiration from Instagram for future escapes!
What destinations are on your bucket list?
One place I really want to visit is South America! I’ve been to Central America but never further South and there’s so much to explore in that part of the world.
Things in London have slowly opened up again. What do you think the “new normal” of exploring looks like now?
In the short term, I think we will be more appreciative of finding corners of our own neighbourhoods or trying different restaurants near home.
Which tea farm/plantation would you like to visit if you had the opportunity to travel anywhere around the world?
Believe it or not, I have never been to Japan. I have been working with the same farm for years and have met them elsewhere, as well as chatted on the phone and through email a million times, but never had the chance to visit. It’s at the top of my list!
Is it possible to start your own tea farm/plantation in the UK?
There are some plantations around Cornwall and Scotland, however, our climate here in the UK is not the best for growing tea. We don’t have any aspirations to have our own tea estate at the moment!
In a pre-COVID world, which area(s) in London would you recommend first-time visitors to explore?
I would definitely recommend East London and South East London – it is such a creative environment and has a cosy village feel to it. There are numerous great restaurants and unexpected bars worth trying. You also don’t feel like you are in the city centre of London, which can be quite nice. Soho never gets boring, and with its high energy you cannot help but feel excited that you are bang in the middle of London.
Aside from tea, what other fascinations in the city spark your curiosity?
I really enjoy street food, having first started the business within that community – they’re an incredible and varied collection of people that serve authentic, delicious food in different spaces across the city. I also really enjoy any outdoor music in London, whether it be festivals or one-off gigs, but they don’t happen often!
London is always bustling with excitement. When you want a bit of headspace, where do you go in the city to find your sweet escape?
To get some headspace, I would recommend any of the London Parks. You can find a calm escape right in the centre of London. South East London is very hilly which I love, so in Greenwich Park you can be surrounded by lush trees whilst admiring incredible views of the city.
What are the 4 things you love most about London?
I would have to say the parks, the amazing food, great energy, and incredible rooftop views.
If there were 3 words you could use to describe London, what would it be?
Exhausting, Exciting, Evolving