Request: Substitution advice for Fortnum and Mason Royal Blend

You might want to try Dean & Deluca, Myers of Keswick, or simply order direct from Fortnums. They all have an online presence.

I don't think Myers of Keswick carries it.

A friend was told by the folks at McNulty's (Manhattan) that they can no longer (or at least for the moment) get F&M teas.

Our limited research is that F&M may be developing a retailed relationship with an upscale department store(s) in the US.

My friend is using it as an excuse for a new trip to the UK.

Warren

Grrr... I went to Myers a few weeks ago but didn't take a good look at the tea section.

I think that may be either Bloomies or Saks- actually I think it's Saks. They had F&M chocolates at holiday time.

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses.

I apologize for the lack of clarity.

I wondered if anybody had any recommendations for a different brand to substitute for Fortnum and Mason Royal Blend.

A tea they thought would be an adequate substitution until the next time I am able to travel across the pond.

For example, Baltimore Tea recommends Ahmad tea, I tried some, it was okay, but no cigar.

Would anybody else have any other brand substitution recommendations I should try?

Jennifer

Its worth remembering that Twinings blend and pack all Fortnum and Mason's teas. They are both companies owned by the giant ($8 billion) Associated British Foods Group that also includes British Sugar Corporation. I believe that Sam Twining (ninth generation of the tea Twinings) is a director of Fortnum and Mason.

As surmised in this thread, withdrawal of F&M brand from US distribution is very likely to herald a marketing tie with a prestige US retail outlet.

Nigel at Teacraft

I understood your question, Jennifer, I just didn't have a reply about a substitute. I too, would like to find an alternative. I have two blends that I drink: F&M Royal Blend and Yorkshire Gold.

I expect that I'll buy it through F&M's website if worst comes to worst, but I also would love to hear about an alternative blend.

I must say, I don't understand F&M's thinking on this. I don't know how extensive their retail distribution system in the US is now (the only place I knew to find their teas was McNulty's - NYC) but limiting yourself to Saks or Bloomingdales only makes sense if your existing network is even more limited than theirs, or you think you'll sell more through those stores, which I expect you might around Christmastime.

Warren