Caterers managing self-service stations
If delegates help themselves throughout the day, consider how bags will be displayed between breaks, how opened packs will be stored and whether each flavour will remain clearly labelled.
Who is choosing the tea?
The right pack format depends partly on who will manage the tea station during the event.
Planners specifying a pyramid-bag option
Check that the chosen flavour, pack size and preparation instructions fit the planned service. A pyramid bag does not, by itself, establish whether it is individually wrapped or how long it needs to infuse.
Teams responsible for ingredient information
Keep information for the exact teas being served accessible to staff and delegates. GOV.UK and the Food Standards Agency state that UK food businesses must provide allergen information for both prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink.
What should you check?
Start with how the station will be run, then choose flavours and preparation instructions that staff can communicate consistently.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Bag packaging | Check whether each bag has an envelope and how an opened pack will be stored. Twinings UK lists individually enveloped Revive pyramids and a Refresh Double Mint pouch whose 40 bags are not individually wrapped. | I need a station that can remain orderly between breaks without leaving loose bags exposed on the counter. |
| Preparation | Read the instructions for each flavour rather than setting one rule for the range. Teapigs UK directs users to infuse its peppermint Tea Temple in boiling water for at least 3 minutes. | During a short break, delegates should be able to see how to prepare the tea they have chosen. |
| Flavour choice | Compare the actual ingredients and caffeine statements. Twinings lists a Double Mint pyramid pouch, while Teapigs describes its peppermint Tea Temples as pure peppermint leaves and naturally caffeine-free. | I want delegates to recognise what is on offer rather than assume that every herbal blend tastes alike. |
| Allergen information | Keep the current information for each purchased product available, including when bags are decanted or drinks are prepared to order. GOV.UK and the Food Standards Agency require allergen information for prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink; Food Standards Scotland sets out the same core requirement. | Anyone choosing a drink should be able to obtain accurate allergen information before it is served. |
| Product warnings | Check warnings on the exact blend, particularly before making it the only herbal choice. Teapigs UK carries a liquorice-root warning for its Liquorice & Peppermint tea. | I would rather offer a straightforward alternative alongside a blend that carries a product-specific warning. |
Common catering mistakes
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Putting loose bags out for an unattended day
Twinings UK says its 40-bag Refresh Double Mint pouch is not individually wrapped. Once opened, its bags do not have the separate envelopes supplied with the brand’s individually wrapped Revive pyramids.
Use a managed pouch for a staffed service, or check individually wrapped formats for a station that will remain unattended between breaks.
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Giving every flavour the same brewing instructions
Preparation varies by product: Teapigs UK instructs users to brew its peppermint Tea Temple for at least 3 minutes in boiling water.
Place the instructions for each purchased tea beside the service point rather than printing one timing for every bag.
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Making a warned blend the only herbal choice
Teapigs UK identifies liquorice root in its Liquorice & Peppermint tea and carries a product-specific consumption warning. A general herbal-tea sign would not communicate that distinction.
Check warnings on every blend and offer another clearly identified flavour alongside one that carries a caution.
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Relying on an empty box for allergen information
Delegates may not see the original packaging when bags are decanted or drinks are prepared for them. GOV.UK and the Food Standards Agency require UK food businesses to make accurate allergen information available for prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink.
Retain current information for the exact products in use and make sure service staff can provide it before a delegate chooses a drink.
Brand and format references
These examples illustrate different formats to check; a brand’s wider range should not be assumed to share the features of one product.
Twinings
Twinings UK describes both its 15-bag individually wrapped Revive pyramids and its 40-bag loose Refresh Double Mint pouch as foodservice options.
- The two packs give caterers a clear choice between individual envelopes and loose bags.
- The Refresh pouch is not individually wrapped; check ingredients and instructions for the particular flavour selected.
Teapigs
Teapigs UK calls its whole-leaf pyramid bags Tea Temples, and its trade site presents the range for hospitality customers.
- Its peppermint Tea Temple contains pure peppermint leaves and has product-specific brewing directions.
- Check the pack format and ordering quantity for the exact tea needed at the event.
Clipper
Clipper Tea Shop lists 20-bag pyramid products including Organic Double Mint and Organic and Fairtrade Lemon & Ginger and Rooibos.
- The named variants allow an event brief to specify an organic or Fairtrade-labelled product.
- Confirm wrapping, ingredients and the required pack format for the particular variant.
Pukka
Pukka Herbs UK describes individually enveloped herbal tea bags; this is an envelope-format reference, not a confirmed pyramid-bag equivalent.
- Pukka says its envelopes protect herbal blends from air, moisture and nearby flavours or smells.
- Choose by the exact bag format if pyramid bags are a firm requirement.
A Joybuy herbal tea option
This chamomile tea offers another flavour to consider for individual-cup conference service. Check its packaging and preparation instructions before planning an unattended station.
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Teapigs Chamomile Flowers, 15 tea bags, 180 g
A chamomile choice for individual-cup service. The listed pack contains 15 tea bags and is marked 180 g; check whether the bags are individually wrapped, and confirm the brewing directions and current ingredient information before service.
Conference tea questions
Do conference caterers need to provide allergen information for herbal tea?
Yes. GOV.UK and the Food Standards Agency state that UK food businesses must provide allergen information for prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink; Food Standards Scotland states the same core requirement. Keep information for the exact teas served accurate and accessible, including when bags are decanted or drinks are made to order.
Should an all-day self-service station use individually wrapped bags?
Individual envelopes are worth considering when bags will remain on display between unattended breaks. Twinings UK says its Revive pyramids are individually enveloped, whereas the bags in its 40-bag Refresh Double Mint pouch are not; a staffed station can instead manage an opened loose-bag pack.
How long should a herbal pyramid bag brew?
Follow the instructions for the exact product rather than using one timing for every tea. Teapigs UK instructs users to brew its peppermint Tea Temple in boiling water for at least 3 minutes; display the relevant directions for each flavour at the station.
Can liquorice-and-mint tea be the only herbal option?
Check its warning before making it the sole option. Teapigs UK states that its Liquorice & Peppermint tea contains liquorice root and carries a caution for people with hypertension; another clearly labelled flavour gives delegates a choice.