Although at first glance the brands seem quite comparable; fairly similar pricepoints, both black teas, and stocked at every supermarket, consumers of Yorkshire Tea and PG Tips seem incredibly brand-loyal, which sparks the question: what does your teabag of choice say about you?
In terms of the taste profile, Yorkshire tea tends to have a stronger, tannin-rich flavour, whereas PG Tips is lighter and smoother. PG Tips brands itself as a quick, convenient brew, whereas Yorkshire Tea declares itself as the “proper brew”. While flavour is certainly significant in the debate, it might be overshadowed by other, more socio-cultural, factors.
While flavour is certainly significant in the debate, it might be overshadowed by other, more socio-cultural, factors.
Traditionally, Yorkshire Tea is more popular in the North East (shocker, I know), and has now secured its place as the leading UK tea brand. After conducting some tea-search, I discovered that regional differences in brand preference may not simply be cultural, but are actually impacted by water supply. Hard water, which is more common in the South of England, is conducive with the richer Yorkshire Tea, whereas soft water, which is more common in the North of England, ironically suits PG Tips better. In theory, PG Tips would dominate the North, and Yorkshire Tea the south. However, it seems as though your teabag of choice is much like a football team, you choose a side (or are born into a family that has) and stick with it, leaving logic behind.
Between you and me, I probably couldn't taste the difference between ASDA’s Everyday and Yorkshire Tea; but if anyone asked me, I would swear in my life that there exists no brew better than a warm mug of Yorkshire Tea. As a child, I don’t think I knew there were other brands of tea, as my parents stashed an overflowing freezer-bag full of it into their suitcase every time they went away, insisting that they couldn’t go a day without it. The green scenic box was as much a part of the background as art on the walls.
...but if anyone asked me, I would swear in my life that there exists no brew better than a warm mug of Yorkshire Tea
As a student, tea quickly became an unexpected source of comfort, knowing that each morning I would sip on the same drink my family would at homes, many miles away — a quiet constant in the chaos of university life. Even as I arrived in Newcastle for the first time, a wide-eyed fresher, I was greeted with a “caramelized biscuit brew” Yorkshire tea freebie, a subtle suggestion as to where my loyalty should belong.
Ultimately, while we may fall for flashy branding and gimmicky consumer goods elsewhere when doing our weekly food shop, tea is not the place to mess about. Regional pride, habit, and nostalgia, all have a role in how the brand becomes more than just tea, but a symbol of our identity. The rivalry between Yorkshire Tea and PG Tips is harmless, but is also incredibly telling of who we are as Brits. Ultimately, your side in the debate is arguably unimportant, but the fact that we (mostly) engage in it is significant in itself.