A Tea Lover’s Honest Review of Gryphon Tea Company Singapore

June 19, 2026 | N.P. Lim

A close-up shot of the white box packaging for Gryphon Tea Company's "Calming Spirit" tea from their Botany Selection, nestled artistically amid a striking floral arrangement against a neutral beige background. The tea box features a lime-green central label detailing the blend as caffeine-free with chamomile, rose hip, and juniper berry. It is framed by a dynamic cluster of unique botanical stems, including two vibrant, orange-tipped yellow pincushion proteas, a pair of tall, elegant calla lilies in warm sunset shades of orange and pink, and several slender green stalks sporting round, spiky purple and green allium flower buds.

There is a particular hush that settles over my kitchen on a weeknight, after the dishes are done and the day finally loosens its grip. That is when I open a new box of tea from Gryphon Tea Company Singapore. Last week, the box belonged to Gryphon Singapore, and the moment I lifted the lid, a soft cloud of bergamot and lavender drifted up to meet me, showcasing the brand’s art and craft of layering botanicals and distilling ingredients into harmonious brews.

I have known Gryphon for nearly a century, the way most Singaporeans do, glimpsed in hotel lounges, supermarkets, or tucked into a gift bag. But I had never sat down to really taste their range with intention. So I gathered a small collection and gave myself a quiet few evenings to judge them properly.

I wanted to assess the things that actually matter: taste, aroma, balance, value, packaging, how they hold up as gifts, and whether the quality stays consistent across blends. This is my honest account, sip by sip, of a brand that embodies the art and science of tea making.

What Gryphon Tea Company Feels Like as a Singapore Tea Brand

A serene, brightly lit tea-brewing setup arranged neatly on a shallow wooden tray over a light-colored tabletop. On the left sits a clear, round glass teapot with a light wood lid, half-filled with freshly steeped, pale yellow-green tea containing a single submerged tea sachet. To the right of the teapot stands a square, light-chartreuse product box labeled "Koku Yuzu Kukicha Japanese Twig Tea with Kochi Yuzu," with brewing instructions printed in white on its side panel. In the foreground rests a matching clear glass teacup filled with the golden-hued brew, casting a soft shadow on the surface.

Gryphon Tea Company is an Asian artisanal tea brand built on nearly a century of family-owned heritage. Gryphon embodies the vision and craftsmanship that come from a long journey of creativity and innovation. The teas are not shy; they lean into flavour and emotion, often named after places and feelings rather than plain leaf types.

What strikes me most is how local it feels, even when the inspiration roams across vineyards and souks. This is a brand that understands gifting and the senses in Singapore, where a thoughtful box of tea quietly says more than words often can. Gryphon’s monogram on the packaging is a sign of quality and care, inviting guests and customers alike to discover the finest blends.

You see Gryphon served across hospitality outlets here, which gives it a certain familiarity. It sits in that comfortable middle ground: more considered than supermarket teabags, yet far more approachable than the intimidating world of rare loose leaf. This balance is a testament to Gryphon’s purpose: to bring simple delight to everyday moments.

My Ordering Experience and What I Actually Tried

A high-angle, close-up composition showcasing a dark purple and pink sachet of Gryphon Tea Company's Artisan Selection "Mogambo" tea, which features an organic South African bush tea blend with passion fruit and apple. The individual tea packet rests diagonally on a white surface next to a glass cup filled with clear, amber-colored brewed tea seen from above. A delicate bouquet of textured, dusty-purple carnations and spiky, bluish sea holly thistles decorates the top-left corner, adding a soft, elegant floral element to the scene.

I went browsing on a Tuesday around 7pm, which I would gently recommend if you dislike crowds. The space was calm, the lighting soft, and the air conditioning a touch strong, so I was glad for my cardigan.

There were only a handful of other shoppers, and the staff were unhurried and warm. When I asked about the difference between two floral blends, the answer came quickly and without any pressure to buy. I appreciated that. Nobody hovered.

The browsing itself is pleasant because the packaging invites you to pick things up. I left with a generous armful and supplemented it later through local delivery, which arrived promptly and well sealed.

What I chose to try ranged across the Gryphon Tea Company’s personality. A few classics, a couple of florals, some herbal blends, and two of the gift-ready assortments. Here is how they tasted.

Tasting Notes (The Part Everyone Actually Wants)

Earl Grey Lavender ($11.84)

A lavender-colored square box of Gryphon Singapore's Artisan Selection Blend No. 087, "Earl Grey Lavender," stands centered on a rustic, dark-toned wooden shelf. The box design includes elegant gold lettering and a white lower section illustrated with a delicate sprig of lavender and white blossoms, noting that it contains 10 compostable silken sachets of flavoured black tea. The background shows a cozy, shallow-focus cafe or pantry setting with large glass jars filled with loose leaf tea on the left, and blurred glass bottles of syrups or juices lined up on the right.

The aroma is the first thing that won me over, all bright bergamot wrapped in a powdery whisper of French lavender. My first sip was smooth and rounded, the black tea base holding firm beneath the floral lift.

Mid-palate, the lavender threatens to take over, but it never quite does. The finish is clean with a gentle, drying astringency that asks for a second sip. This 1-star Great Taste winner suits anyone who loves a classic with a romantic twist. Brew it a touch shorter if you prefer the bergamot to lead.

Earl Grey Lavender is part of Gryphon Tea Company Singapore’s celebrated product series, which highlights their commitment to blending traditional Asian ingredients with modern techniques. This blend reflects the brand’s story of nearly a century’s heritage and their dedication to ethical sourcing and sustainability.

As one of the signature flavors, alongside Pearl of the Orient, it showcases Gryphon’s expertise in crafting artisanal teas that appeal to both casual drinkers and connoisseurs. Whether enjoyed in a quiet moment at home or served in a hospitality setting, this tea embodies the balance of flavor and emotion Gryphon is excited to share with its partners and customers alike.

Muscat Beauty ($11.84)

A square, bright lime-green box of Gryphon Singapore's Artisan Selection Blend No. 761, "Muscat Beauty," rests centrally on a modern, speckled white quartz kitchen countertop. The front of the box displays a white rectangular block featuring a detailed botanical illustration of a green grapevine branch with small red berries, identifying the product as a flavoured oolong tea with 10 compostable silken sachets. To the left, a portion of a sleek, cream-colored retro Smeg electric kettle is visible, while a framed print of an artichoke and a fluted amber glass vase sit softly out of focus in the background.

Here is the surprise of the bunch. The aroma is unmistakably juicy, all ripe grape with a whisper of stone fruit. It smells almost like a dessert wine before you sip.

The oolong base gives it body, while rose hips add a soft tartness mid-palate. The finish carries a mild acidity that keeps everything balanced rather than cloying. Halfway through the cup, I found myself slowing down to savour it. Fruit-forward sippers will love this one, hot or gently chilled.

This blend is part of Gryphon Tea Company Singapore’s Artisan Selection, which features globally inspired loose-leaf teas and unique blends crafted with care. The brand has decided to innovate by combining traditional Asian ingredients with modern tea-making techniques, ensuring each cup delivers a distinctive experience.

Gryphon’s commitment to quality is evident in every sip, making it a delightful addition to any tea pantry. The company also emphasizes ethical sourcing and sustainability, aligning with the values of many modern tea enthusiasts.

British Breakfast ($11.84)

A square tea box of Gryphon Tea Company's Artisan Selection "British Breakfast" blend sits prominently on a beige stone-textured countertop. The front panel of the box features a bold, bright orange background adorned with subtle line art drawings of teacups and tea leaves, framing a clean white central label that describes the tea as a black tea blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Chinese tea. The box is flanked by a speckled off-white ceramic planter containing a green houseplant on the left, and a cream-colored ribbed ceramic vase in the background.

Sometimes you want something dependable, and this is it. The aroma is malty and warm, with a faint floral lift from the high-grown Ceylon green tea.

The first sip is robust without being harsh, the Indian tea base giving structure while the African tea lends a caramel-like sweetness. Mid-palate it is brisk, and the finish is full with a satisfying tannic grip. This is for morning people and milk-tea lovers. A splash of milk rounds it beautifully.

If you are a DBS cardholder, purchasing Gryphon Tea Company Singapore products can sometimes come with exclusive promotions, making it a great time to try their offerings.

Lemon Ginger Mint ($11.84)

A chartreuse-yellow box of Gryphon Singapore's Artisan Selection Blend No. 212, "Lemon Ginger Mint," is positioned at an angle on a clean, polished white countertop. The front label shows a minimalist botanical drawing of a single red clover blossom alongside small white flowers, indicating a caffeine-free herbal tisane with peppermint, ginger, and lemon myrtle. The background features a crisp white tiled backsplash, a white ceramic vase resting on a woven coaster to the left, and a blurred wooden cutting board and a lit candle near a glass tea maker to the right.

This blend smells like a remedy in the kindest sense, zesty lemon myrtle leading, ginger warming underneath, peppermint cooling the edges. The first sip is lively and clean.

Mid-palate, the ginger gives a gentle, comforting heat, while the mint keeps things refreshing. The finish is bright with no bitterness. It is wonderful when you feel sluggish or slightly unwell. I find it especially soothing iced on a humid Singapore evening.

As part of Gryphon Tea Company Singapore's diverse tea offerings, Lemon Ginger Mint showcases the brand’s commitment to wellness herbal teas designed to manage stress and promote balance. This artisanal tea blend reflects Gryphon’s dedication to blending traditional Asian ingredients with modern techniques, making it a perfect choice for tea lovers seeking both flavor and health benefits in Singapore’s vibrant tea market.

Packaging, Gifting, and Value (What You’re Paying For)

An overhead grid arrangement of nine distinct, colorful Gryphon Tea Company boxes from their Artisan Selection line laid out flat next to one another. The collection showcases a variety of flavors with color-coded packaging: top row features orange "Coba Cabana" and yellow "Chamomile Dream"; middle row contains a white "Treasures" box, a purple "Earl Grey Lavender" box with a "Great Taste" award sticker, and a bright pink "Hanami" box; bottom row includes a salmon-pink "Pearl of the Orient," a lime-green "Lemon Ginger Mint," and a deep purple "Mogambo" box. Each individual square box displays the brand name, blend title, and unique floral or botanical line art graphics reflecting its ingredients.

The packaging is genuinely lovely and a sign of Gryphon’s dedication to craftsmanship. The boxes feel considered, the silken sachets are individually wrapped, and they are biodegradable, which I appreciate more with each passing year.

For gifting in Singapore, the assortments are the obvious heroes. The Botany Self-Care Assortment ($23.06) gathers sixteen sachets including Aromatherapy in a Cup, Calming Spirit, Miracle Day, and Wonderfull. The Botany Functional Assortment ($23.06) does similar duty with Belly Happy, Bullseye, Smooth Relief, and Wanderlust.

These make thoughtful presents because they offer variety without forcing the recipient to commit to one flavour. At those prices, they feel generous yet accessible.

For everyday value, the single boxes at $11.84 are fair, though you are paying partly for the artisanal blending and the beautiful presentation. The larger boxes like Coba Cabana ($20.37) and Contessa Grey ($20.37) give you more sachets and feel like better value per cup if you find a blend you love.

The Honest Downsides (Because No Brand Is Perfect)

No brand is flawless, and Gryphon has a few quirks worth flagging. A handful of the floral blends read slightly perfumey, especially if you oversteep them. The lavender and rose can tip from elegant to soapy if you are heavy-handed.

The function-forward branding is another small snag. Names like Belly Happy or Celestial Eyes promise wellness outcomes, and while the teas taste pleasant, I would judge them on flavour rather than any medicinal magic. Manage your expectations there.

Value can also feel uneven. A ten-sachet box at $11.84 disappears quickly if tea is your daily ritual, so the larger formats make more sense for committed drinkers. Finally, stock availability fluctuates, and I noticed several blends sold out online, so popular favourites may need a little patience to track down.

Who Gryphon Tea Company Is Best For (and Who Should Skip)

A top-down shot of a clear glass mug filled with amber-colored tea, sitting on a reflective copper-tinted mirror surface that captures its golden glow. Inside the mug, a mesh pyramidal tea sachet floats at the surface, showing visible steeped tea leaves. Lying next to the glass is a light-blue foil tea packet and its corresponding larger outer box for Gryphon Tea Company's Artisan Selection "Lily of the Field," detailed as a Four Seasons Oolong Tea blend with white lily and eucalyptus.

  • Perfect for floral and fruit-forward tea lovers who enjoy aromatic, expressive blends.
  • Perfect for anyone hunting a tea gift set in Singapore that looks polished and feels thoughtful.
  • Perfect for newer tea drinkers who want approachable flavour without fussy brewing.
  • Perfect for office or bedside variety, thanks to the assortments and caffeine-free options.
  • Avoid if you crave traditional, unflavoured single-origin loose leaf tea above all else.
  • Avoid if you dislike pronounced floral or scented profiles.
  • Avoid if you want maximum cups per dollar over presentation and blending artistry.

A New Chapter in My Tea Journey with Gryphon

So, would I go back? Yes, gladly. Gryphon tea company continues to bring the finest blends to Singapore’s community, creating moments of delight and connection. This new chapter in my tea journey is marked by appreciation for the art, science, and craftsmanship that Gryphon embodies.

If you are new to the brand, I would start with Osmanthus Sencha for its award-winning balance, or Earl Grey Lavender if you want a familiar classic with character. If you are buying for someone else, reach for one of the Botany assortments and let them discover their own favourite.

Brew a pot this week, sit with it properly, and let the aroma find you before the first sip does. That small pause, I think, is the real gift here, a sign of love for tea, for creativity, and for the simple pleasures that make a day good.

If you want to explore tea in diffeerent places in Singapore, read our articles here

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Art of Brewing Black Tea Chai & Spiced Tea Climate & Terroir Green Tea Herbal & Tisanes Matcha & Japanese Tea Oolong Pu-erh Sustainability & Ethics Tea & Hospitality Tea & Mindfulness Tea & Wellness Tea History & Trade Tea Innovation Tea Pairings & Food Tea Rituals & Ceremony Teaware & Aesthetics White Tea
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