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Professional Spotlight
Mike Turner, Co-Founder and
Managing Director Bird & Blend
Introduction Beginnings: From Idea to
In an age where coffee often overshadows Infusion
tea in the beverage industry, a new wave The story of Bird & Blend is as
of tea entrepreneurs is brewing imaginative as its blends. "We started
excitement and changing perceptions. At out with nothing more than a passion
the heart of this movement is Mike for tea and a desire to do things
Turner, Co-Founder and Managing Director differently, "Mike recalls. "My co-
of Bird & Blend Tea Co., a company founder and I had backgrounds in
renowned for its vibrant blends, ethical hospitality and retail, but we found
sourcing practices, and community-driven ourselves craving something more
ethos. creative. Tea, with its endless variety
and deep history, seemed like the
The Something's Brewing outgoing editor, perfect canvas."
Martyn Herriott, had the opportunity to meet
Mike Turner at a Bird & Blend store just down Mike describes the early days as
from Borough Market. both exciting and difficult. "We'd
spend nights experimenting with
From the moment the interview started on flavours in our kitchen, blending
the shop floor of the store, Mike's passion for everything from liquorice to popcorn
tea, his employees, and customers was with traditional teas. What we quickly
unmistakable. For Mike, it's "about making all realised was that people were eager
customers who visit Bird & Blend stores have for new experiences—something
an experience."
beyond the builder's brew or the
standard green tea."
JULY/AUGUST. 2025 | ISSUE 43
