Bell Tea vs Dilmah:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Bell Tea and Dilmah were level in searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 480 branded searches each, at 21% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tea bag brands, Dilmah appeared in all five answers and Bell Tea in three. Dilmah was mentioned before Bell Tea in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Bell Tea and Dilmah are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Dilmah, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Dilmah, named ahead of Bell Tea in every answer
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Top tea bag brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Dilmah appeared in all five answers. Bell Tea was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Dilmah was listed before Bell Tea in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Dilmah5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Bell Tea3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Twinings3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Zealong2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Pukka1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Lipton0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about tea bag brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which tea bag brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best tea bag brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best tea bag brand in New Zealand for everyday tea?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“tea bags nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“black tea bags”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Bell Tea or Dilmah more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bell Tea and Dilmah by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six tea bag brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Bell Tea, Dilmah. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Zealong | Bell Tea | Dilmah | Twinings | Lipton | Pukka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.6% | 14.3% | 17.6% | 14.3% | 5.1% | 1.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.6% | 14.9% | 18.3% | 9.9% | 6.5% | 0.76% |
| Dec 2025 | 58% | 11.6% | 14.1% | 9.4% | 6.2% | 0.72% |
| Jan 2026 | 55% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 11% | 5.8% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 51.8% | 12.7% | 15.5% | 12.7% | 6.8% | 0.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.6% | 20.4% | 16.6% | 13.6% | 6% | 0.85% |
| Apr 2026 | 44.8% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 14.3% | 4.9% | 0.9% |
| May 2026 | 50.5% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 3.5% | 0.63% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.7% | 23.4% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 5.6% | 0.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 41% | 19.7% | 19.7% | 13.1% | 5.7% | 0.82% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.2% | 19.2% | 23.6% | 12.8% | 8.4% | 0.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 38.4% | 21% | 21% | 11.4% | 7.4% | 0.87% |
How has the Bell Tea and Dilmah comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Bell Tea took it in March 2026, Dilmah took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bell Tea’s share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand moved from 14.3% to 21%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 390 to 480.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dilmah’s share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand moved from 17.6% to 21%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 480.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand tea bag brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Bell Tea overtook Dilmah to rank 2nd among tea bag brands in New Zealand, with 21% of the searches.
In September 2026, Dilmah lost share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand, from 23.6% to 21%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bell Tea’s and Dilmah’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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