About Us
We Are Cardews of Oxford
Cardews is located in the centre of historic Oxford in the famous Covered Market, which was established in 1774 to provide a permanent home for the city's untidy market stalls. As the oldest established supplier of freshly roasted coffees and fine teas in Oxford, we sell to customers worldwide; our business now expanded to further locations in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire.
Cardews offer a wide range of pure and specialty coffee and
teas and through our direct relationships with coffee and tea growers, we offer
competitive prices for the highest quality products around the world.
In these times of change, we maintain our well-established
business on standards of fairness and reliability with a commitment to provide
the best quality, value and ethical choices for our customers.
We continue to search for environmentally sustainable
solutions for our business and have invested in manufacturing our own range of
large leaf pyramid tea bags which are fully compostable using bio-degradable
materials. Our tea and coffee products and blends are packed in our own
warehouse using Eco-friendly sustainable materials wherever currently possible.
Made in Abingdon
We specialise in small-scale production of traditional teabags, pyramid teabags, and gift-ready pouches. We’re committed to sustainability, using plastic-free mesh, eco-friendly paper for our teabags, and recyclable packaging wherever possible
Fresh Roasted Coffee
Roasting Stages
a. Drying Phase (3–8 minutes)
320°F (160°C).
b. Browning Phase (up to 320–400°F / 160–204°C)
c. First Crack (around 385–400°F / 196–204°C)
d. Development Phase (Post-First Crack)
e. Second Crack (approx. 435–450°F / 224–232°C)
Loose Leaf Tea
China
Green, black, oolong, white, pu-erh
World's largest producer and consumer. Rich in variety and
tradition.
India
Primarily black (Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri), some green
Second-largest producer. Known for strong, malty teas
(Assam) and aromatic Darjeeling teas.
Kenya
Primarily black (CTC – Crush, Tear, Curl)
Largest producer in Africa. Major exporter; tea is grown in
high-altitude regions.
Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
Black, some green and white
Known for bright, citrusy teas. Grown in highlands like
Nuwara Eliya and Uva.
Vietnam
Green, black, oolong
Fast-growing tea industry with diverse types and
export-focused production.
Indonesia
Black, green
Historic producer with both orthodox and CTC methods.
Japan
Green (Sencha, Matcha, Gyokuro, Bancha)
Focuses almost
entirely on high-quality green teas; minimal exports.
Nepal – High-quality orthodox teas similar to
Darjeeling.
Thailand – Oolong and green teas.
Taiwan – Premium oolong teas (Dong Ding, High
Mountain Oolong).
Argentina – Mostly black tea for export (often in
blends).
Malawi & Rwanda – Growing African producers,
known for strong black teas.
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Products & Services
Teas & Coffees: Offers extensive selections—from classic English Breakfast and Earl Grey to single‑estate Darjeeling, Oolong, and freshly roasted single‑origin coffees
In‑house Teabags: Produces its own line of large‑leaf pyramid teabags, fully compostable and made in their Oxfordshire warehouseAccessories & Equipment: Also stocks brewing gear—filters, grinders, teapots, filters, and other accessories
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Ethical & Sustainable Practices
Maintaing direct relationships with growers, including fair‑trade and Rainforest Alliance partners.
Emphasises eco‑friendly packaging—compostable teabags and sustainable materials in their warehouse, -
Why Visit Cardew’s?
An Oxford staple built on tradition, authenticity, and friendly service.
Exceptional variety: high-quality blends and single-origin teas/coffees.
Ethical edge: sustainable packaging, fair-trade sourcing, and in-house trade.
More than a shop: a local experience in the charming Covered Market. -
Wholesale & Local Delivery
Wholesale & Local Delivery: Supplies retail alongside wholesale trade and local delivery options
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Postage Prices
