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Lipton

Lipton is a British tea brand originally founded by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1871 as a grocery business in the United Kingdom.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Lipton is a British tea brand originally founded by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1871 as a grocery business in the United Kingdom. It became known for tea from 1890 and is now owned by Lipton Teas and Infusions, after being sold by Unilever in 2022.

History

Lipton traces back to Sir Thomas Lipton’s grocery business started in 1871 in the United Kingdom. The tea brand emerged in 1890 and later became part of Unilever before being sold to CVC Capital Partners in 2022.

Ownership

The brand was held by Unilever for decades after a series of acquisitions. In 2022, ownership transferred to Lipton Teas and Infusions, while Unilever kept limited brand rights in some regions and product categories.

Products

Lipton is best known for tea, including black tea and iced tea products. Sources also note that the brand has been used for other consumer goods historically, though tea is its principal modern association.

Global presence

Lipton is marketed internationally and is described by Lipton Teas and Infusions as one of the world’s major tea brands. Its products and brand rights vary by region because some markets remain tied to Unilever arrangements.

Key facts

  • Lipton began as a grocery retail business founded by Thomas Lipton in 1871.
  • The Lipton name became associated with tea in 1890.
  • Unilever acquired the Lipton tea business through transactions completed by 1972 and later sold the majority of its tea business in 2022.
  • The brand is now owned by Lipton Teas and Infusions, a company created after the 2021 spin-off from Unilever.
  • Unilever retained some rights to the Lipton brand in specific markets and for certain ready-to-drink products.
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Canadian context

Lipton has long been sold in Canada, and historical sources note that Unilever previously held Lipton tea business interests in Canada before the 2022 divestment. Canadian consumers still encounter Lipton-branded tea products, though brand rights may vary by product category and market.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lipton?
Lipton is a British tea brand founded by Sir Thomas Lipton, originally linked to a grocery business started in 1871.
Who owns Lipton now?
Lipton is owned by Lipton Teas and Infusions, which was created after the business was spun off from Unilever and acquired by CVC Capital Partners.
When did Lipton become a tea brand?
Lipton began as a grocery business in 1871 and became associated with tea from 1890.
Was Lipton previously owned by Unilever?
Yes. Unilever owned the tea business before selling the majority of it in 2022.
Where is Lipton Teas and Infusions headquartered?
It is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipton
    Supports: Founding date, brand origin, ownership history, and 2022 sale to CVC Capital Partners.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipton_Teas_and_Infusions
    Supports: Company identity, headquarters in Amsterdam, and description as a Dutch multinational tea company.
  3. Lipton Teas and Infusions — https://www.liptonteas.com/our-company/who-we-are/150-years-of-history/
    Supports: Official company history stating the independent company was created in 2022 and owned by CVC Capital Partners.
  4. Lipton — https://www.lipton.com/ca/en/our-purpose/history-lipton-iced-tea/
    Supports: Lipton iced tea product history, including introduction timelines.
  5. Lipton Iced Tea — https://www.liptonicedtea.com/en-us/our-story
    Supports: Brand story and historical framing of Lipton as a tea brand.