Bell Tea vs Twinings:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Bell Tea had more branded searches than Twinings among tea bag brands in New Zealand. Bell Tea had about 480 branded searches, while Twinings had 260. Bell Tea made up 21% of all tea bag brand searches we track, and Twinings accounted for 11.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tea bag brands, Bell Tea and Twinings each appeared in three of the five answers. Bell Tea was mentioned before Twinings in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Bell Tea, about 85% more searches than Twinings
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Bell Tea, named ahead of Twinings in 2 of 3 answers
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Top tea bag brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Bell Tea and Twinings were each mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Bell Tea was listed before Twinings in two out of three answers.
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 Twinings more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bell Tea and Twinings 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, Twinings. 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 Twinings comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Bell Tea was ahead of Twinings in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 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, Twinings’ share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand moved from 14.3% to 11.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 390 to 260.
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, Twinings lost share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand, from 12.8% to 11.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bell Tea’s and Twinings’ 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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