McDonald’s tea bags are primarily supplied by suppliers like Unilever, known for their Lipton brand, ensuring quality and consistency in their beverages.
McDonald’s serves millions of cups of tea daily across its global locations. The fast-food giant sources its tea bags from major suppliers to maintain consistency in flavor and quality. Let’s explore who provides McDonald’s tea bags and what makes their tea unique.
McDonald’s Primary Tea Suppliers
McDonald’s uses a blend of orange pekoe and pekoe cut black tea for its iced tea offerings. The company sources its tea bags from two main suppliers:
Luzianne Tea
Luzianne is a leading supplier of tea bags to McDonald’s, particularly for their iced tea. This brand specializes in tea blends specifically designed for iced tea preparation. Their tea contains a mix of orange pekoe and pekoe cut black tea leaves, similar to what McDonald’s uses.
Tetley Tea
Tetley provides tea bags for McDonald’s hot tea selections in many markets. The company supplies the orange pekoe, Earl Grey, peppermint, and green tea varieties available at McDonald’s locations.
The McDonald’s Tea Blend
McDonald’s uses a proprietary blend that gives their tea its distinctive taste. While the exact recipe remains a trade secret, we know it contains:
- Orange pekoe black tea
- Pekoe cut black tea
- Natural flavors (for some varieties)
The blend creates a balanced flavor that’s not too bitter or astringent, making it appealing to a wide range of customers.
How McDonald’s Prepares Its Tea
McDonald’s tea preparation follows strict standards to ensure consistency across locations:
For Iced Tea
McDonald’s brews its iced tea fresh throughout the day using:
- Hot water at 195-205°F
- Tea bags steeped for 3-5 minutes
- Immediate cooling with ice
For Hot Tea
The hot tea service includes:
- Individually wrapped tea bags
- Hot water at 200°F
- Optional lemon and sugar packets
Nutritional Information
McDonald’s unsweetened tea contains:
| Size | Calories | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 0 | 25mg |
| Medium | 0 | 40mg |
| Large | 0 | 55mg |
The sweetened version contains about 150 calories for a medium size due to added sugar.
Making McDonald’s-Style Tea at Home
While you can’t get the exact McDonald’s blend, you can create a similar taste using:
- Quality tea bags from Luzianne or Tetley
- Proper brewing temperature (195-205°F)
- Correct steeping time (3-5 minutes)
- Rapid cooling for iced tea
For those interested in beverage preparation equipment, check out our guide to the best commercial juicers that restaurants use.
Quality Control Challenges
While McDonald’s maintains strict standards, some customers report occasional inconsistencies in tea quality. Factors that can affect taste include:
- Water quality variations by location
- Brewing equipment maintenance
- Tea bag storage conditions
- Brewing time deviations
McDonald’s continuously works with suppliers like Luzianne and Tetley to minimize these variations and maintain product consistency.
Tea Options at McDonald’s
Depending on your location, McDonald’s may offer:
- Unsweetened iced tea
- Sweet tea
- Hot tea (orange pekoe, Earl Grey, green, peppermint)
- Seasonal tea specials
The company occasionally tests new tea varieties in select markets based on customer preferences and trends.
