Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Twinings of London
Tea Description:
The Irish really love their tea and are amongst the most frequent drinkers of tea around the world. In celebration of this tea drinking tradition, Twinings blended a special Irish Breakfast Blend. This tea is best taken with milk and sweetened to taste to bring out the best flavour.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Before I get in to this review, I want to say that Twinings is a company that confuses me. I guess I am somewhat easily confused, so that is no great feat, really, but, it seems to me that there are two separate tea companies called “Twinings” – there is this Twinings from which this tea was acquired: Twinings of London. And then there is another company: Twinings. I really don’t know if these are indeed the same company or different companies, but to me, they appear to be different. Am I correct on that? Anyone in the know, please feel free to comment and educate me!
Now… on to the review of this tea. I received a bag of this tea from a tea friend, and it was one that I’ve not tried before but I’ve enjoyed other Twinings of London teas and tisanes in the past so I figured I’d also probably like this one. And it is good for a bagged tea. Of course, bagged tea does have its limitations, but I think that this tea manages to still be a good, strong tea despite those limitations … although I can’t help but think how much better it might be if it were loose leaf.
I brewed it in boiling water for three minutes, and I’m pleased with the result. It is bold and has pleasing notes of malt, as well as a good hearty flavor to it. Something that would, indeed, make a good breakfast tea as it has a certain vigor to it. A light, caramel-y sweetness. As I continue to sip, I also can taste the tea bag … which is not nearly as tasty as the other qualities of this cuppa. Yes, indeed, I taste a “paper-y” kind of taste … and I am wishing I didn’t taste that, as it is lessening my enjoyment of the tea.
It’s drinkable, certainly, and it would be good for when you might have one of those busy kind of days when you don’t have time for loose leaf. Let’s face it, loose leaf does require a few extra steps compared to a bagged tea, but, if I’ve got the time, I’d rather go with the loose leaf.
Actually, you can get this tea loose from Twinings of London 🙂 It’s listed on their website under loose teas. It comes in a little green tin with a gold lid.
Hi Julie: Thank you for commenting. Yes, I know it’s available loose leaf as well. I happened to sample the bagged version though, so my review is limited to that experience.