English Breakfast is a traditional blend of black tea the exact recipe for which varies from maker to maker. However, most often the tea leaves are sourced from different estates in East Africa, Ceylon and Assam and then combined to produce a characteristically full bodied brew.
Irish breakfast tea is similar to popular English breakfast tea blends, but with more Assam tea, resulting in a malty flavor and reddish tea. Of all U.K. breakfast teas, Scottish breakfast tea tends to be the heartiest.
Darjeeling brews are also a little spicier than Assam brews. Leaves of second flush have less astringency and the liquor so obtained has a distinct muscatel fruity flavor. That is why they are referred to as “Champagne of Teas”. English Breakfast teas, on the contrary, are strong and have earthy nutty taste.
Unlike pure Assam tea, English Breakfast is a blend of a few black teas from different regions of India, instead of just a single source. Also, our English Breakfast contains 3.2 grams of tea per sachet, as opposed to 3g in our Assam. Malty with a sweet edge, this is a flavorful every-day tea.
Indian chai that you buy from the chai wallahs is actually masala tea not assam. Assam is a black tea and is used with other leaves in tetley tea bags sold in the UK so it is very similar to english breakfast tea. Indian chai is spicy and very different.
For example, traditional English Breakfast tea comprises of Assam, Ceylon and Kenyan black teas, while Earl Grey is usually a blend of Darjeeling, Ceylon, Assam with the addition of bergamot oil. Today we explore how black tea is produced, the different grades of black tea and why we should be drinking black tea.
The place of black tea in England
At the end of the 19th century, the United Kingdom became emancipated by planting its first tea crops in its colonies, in India and on the island of Ceylon. Today, black teas from Darjeeling, Assam and Ceylon are still the most consumed in London and the rest of the country.
Darjeeling tea and Assam tea are both famous in their own right, not just in India but outside India as well. They are teas that come from the two main tea-growing regions in India and are known for their taste and versatility and all-around flavor.
About Earl Grey
Oil from the citrusy bergamot fruit (a relative of the orange) is what makes this Darjeeling Tea an Earl Grey.
Sometimes also called a 'fry-up', the full English breakfast consists of fried eggs, sausages, back bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, fried bread and often a slice of white or black pudding (similar to bloodwurst). It is accompanied by tea or coffee and hot, buttered toast.
Bergamot is an essential oil that gives a citrus fragrance and is used to flavour Earl Grey and English Tea No. 1, although there is more bergamot in Earl Grey. English Breakfast Tea has no bergamot but is a blend of fine quality teas. Bergamot is a critus fruit, so you may notice a slight citrusy flavour.
The Full English Breakfast (AKA The Fry Up)
The 'common' full English breakfast is a substantial meal consisting of back bacon, eggs, British sausage, baked beans, bubble and squeak, fried tomato, fried mushrooms, black pudding, with fried and toasted bread on the side.
Lipton English Breakfast Tea is a full-bodied English Breakfast tea - savored by generations before us. It is the perfect accompaniment to the traditional English breakfast. It's a refreshing drink that is ideal both in the morning and throughout the day.
English breakfast tea is a black tea blend usually described as full-bodied, robust, rich and blended to go well with milk and sugar, in a style traditionally associated with a hearty English breakfast.
The black teas that form English breakfast tea contain flavonoids that contribute to a healthy heart. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant generally found in fruits and vegetables. Regular consumption of flavonoids can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, in addition to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
Both Assam and Darjeeling Teas are good in their domain. People who like strong and nutty taste prefer Assam tea, whereas people who like a spicy taste prefer Darjeeling tea.
Flavour: Darjeeling tea is slightly spicier than Assam tea. To get the best taste out of Darjeeling tea, it is advised to drink it without milk and sugar. The Tea Board of India describes Darjeeling as having a flavour like a 'delicate muscatel' which is why the tea is popularly referred to as the 'champagne of teas.
Introducing, Tetley Darjeeling Tea which brings the refreshing flavours of Darjeeling to your home. The first sip will enchant you with its flavour fullness. The second sip will transport you to the world-renowned tea gardens on the hills of Darjeeling.
Overall, the limited production, labor-intensive production process, high-quality standards, and global demand all contribute to the high price of Darjeeling tea. While it may be expensive, the unique taste, aroma, and quality of Darjeeling tea make it a prized possession for many tea lovers around the world.
Yorkshire tea is often regarded as Britain's most popular tea type, and Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea is no exception.
Masala Chai
This hot drink is made with black tea, whole milk, sugar and spices (which may vary by region) such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, ginger, black pepper and nutmeg. The masala chai is much more than a drink. It is the welcome symbol in every house in India and a break for the daily rush.
The deep aroma and flavor make it different and delicious. The best tea brand in India is the one that is produced in Assam and Darjeeling. Both Assam tea and Darjeeling tea are made of freshly plucked tea leaves which makes any tea more tempting. This is a common beverage that all Indian love.
By and large, tea drinkers in India drink milk tea. In Southern India, Masala Chai is not popular; instead, tea brewed with milk and sugar is the prime beverage.