Butterworth & Son is a family run business originally specialising in Tea & Coffee. The beginnings of the interest in Tea & Coffee can be traced back to the end of the nineteenth century when Harry Butterworth plied his trade as a tea dealer in the Manchester area, from where the Butterworth name originates. The business was established in 1976 in Bury St. Edmunds and named in honour of Ernest Butterworth, who never lived to see the business which bears his name but whose signature is on every packet of tea sold.

In the later years a blend of tea was introduced suitable for hard water conditions found in East Anglia- Suffolk Special Blend, a Strong and Full Flavoured blend providing maximum taste no matter how hard the water. This was to be the start of a much sort after range of Specialist Foods. Robert Butterworth Snr., a keen local historian and traditionalist, set about putting together a set of picture cards to be included in every packet of tea sold. This first set was to be a set of 12 black and white cards depicting historic scenes of Bury St. Edmunds.

As the public demand grew for Butterworth quality so other products of local interest were added and two brands developed to ensure distinctiveness, Suffolk Maid and Old Colonial. The Suffolk Maid, a range of traditional flavour foods was also to include the much acclaimed Regimental Chutneys incorporating The Suffolk Regiment’s Malabar Chutney, a Spicy Tomato chutney recalling the regiments days in Imperial India. 10p from each jar of Regimental Chutney sold goes to the respective Regiment’s museum fund. Old Colonial, a range of flavours from around the world- for the more adventurous connoisseur.

A second set of 18 colour picture cards was later produced depicting historic battles and uniforms of the Suffolk Regiment throughout the ages. To date the Butterworth & Son range now contains over 200 high quality award winning specialist products and a third series of picture cards depicting Suffolk Steam Railways has now been released. Butterworth & Son are thought to be the last company in England who still include picture cards in their tea.