Having travelled the world buying tea, it was professional tea taster Christopher Rendle who first realised that catering products in the UK were oddly below par for such a famously tea-obsessed nation.

So, in 1981, in partnership with his father Frank, 30 years’ a Far East commodity trader, he vowed that things should change.

As befits tea and coffee, the business began on a kitchen table, but very soon the superior teas and excellent after-care service gained a significant local following.

Other products soon followed – freshly roasted coffees, coffee and vending equipment and many of the products that now help cafés, hotels, conference centres, hospitals, schools, colleges and offices satisfy their customers' thirst for a hot drink.

Then, in 1986, another family member, Alice Rendle, stepped in to head up the business, and under her enthusiastic guidance, Edgcumbes has grown to be one of the best-respected coffee and tea merchants in the South East of England - all built on those original values of impartiality, advice, expertise, unparalleled customer service and top-quality products.

Indeed, Edgcumbes has recently moved into a purpose built showroom in Arundel where visitors can try the latest in modern brewing equipment, taste tea and coffee from around the world, and see at first hand just how Edgcumbes’ reputation was built.

We offer regular Barista training courses, taken by our expert trainers, to put you well ahead of the competition – call us on 01243 555775 or email Lisa@edgcumbes.co.uk for details of our schedule.