THE EDGE TEA & COFFEE STORY
Freshly Roasting Coffee and Blending Tea in Sussex Since 1981
Our story begins in 1981
Vespas. Shellsuits. The sounds of Bowie and Queen blaring out of Walkmans.
After a 20-year tenure in the Indian and African tea trades, Frank Edgcumbe-Rendle had just returned to England.
And he was in for a shock.
Aisle by aisle he scoured the supermarket shelves. One by one he visited cafés, eateries and everything in between. But the top-tier tea he’d grown to love was nowhere to be found. He knew something had to be done and so, ever the pragmatist, he set about doing it. Laying his scales on the kitchen table and grabbing two bags of his trusty loose leaf, he got to work. Frank didn’t realise it, but something big had just happened.
1982
The brew was out of the bag!
Frank’s first brew, Rusper, had tantalised the taste buds of locals - and more were taking notice.
Before long, he was supplying his freshly blended loose leaf to cafes and care homes across the southern counties.
1987
Chris joins the team
After a career working with a world-renowned tea growing, producing and trading company with a history spanning 200 years, Frank’s son, Christopher, joins Edgcumbes.
1988
Alice knows a good thing when she sees one...
Shortly after Christopher joins, Alice leaves her corporate marketing job and enters the wonderful world of tea and coffee.
1989
We’re in business!
It’s official - Edgcumbes is incorporated as a limited company.
1991
First roaster, “The Whitmee”
Word travels fast, demand increases, and we need to up our roasting game. Enter our first-ever roaster, “The Whitmee”.
1997
The Whitmee meets a new friend…
6 years after roasting its first bean, we lighten The Whitmee’s workload and welcome a second-hand Probat Roaster to the family!
2009
Our first "marketing meeting"
The growing Edgcumbes team dips its toes into plans for their caffeine-fuelled future...
2014
Edgcumbes roasting & blending finds a new home
Production moves to our iconic Dutch barn, fully refurbished from reclaimed materials.
2015
Big Bertha joins Edgcumbes
And we start playing with the big boys…
2016
EDGE Tea and Coffee – the brand is born
2020
EDGE by the Sea opens
Edge by the Sea in Littlehampton (LA to locals) opens its doors. A hub for staycationers and local caffeine addicts - run by Chris & Alice’s son, Charlie!
2021
Hello Wolfie!
After an eventful voyage from our friends in Holland, our bespoke Giesen 30kg roaster, lovingly named “Wolfie”, rolls through the barn doors.
We’ve come a long way from our humble kitchen beginnings...
The Old Barn
This historic Dutch barn is the heart and soul of EDGE.
An escape amongst the hedgerows of Sussex, we welcome dog walkers, cyclists and anyone interested in a spot of people watching for a coffee and a chat.
The perfect place to steal a moment of calm.
The EDGE Café
Cast your eyes across the roastery court-yard and you’ll see the EDGE Café.
When we opened it in 2015, we never thought we’d be lucky enough to be welcom-ing hundreds of loyal customers and friends daily.
Recharge in the sun-trapped courtyard or below the shady trees filled with bird song.
The EDGE Store
The perfect spot for the home barista! From our award-winning coffees ground to order, or our famous ‘Rusper’ everyday tea.
Pick a pack of tea and coffee from our refillery and take it home to brew.
Talk to us about brewing equipment, or find an array of artisan products sourced from across Hampshire and Sussex.
EDGE by the Sea
A stone’s throw from the shore of Littlehampton beach. Treat yourself to local coffee and tea, as well as some obligatory salty chips and ice cream - by-the-beach must haves!
We’re open for everyone
Worked up a thirst for delicious local coffee and tea? So have we! Explore our café locations and pop in for a cuppa and a chat – we’d love to see you.
