There are so many teas called English Breakfast, and they can be quite different. The original English Breakfast tea is said to have been pure 100% Chinese Keemun. This is the exception rather than the rule today, and you are more likely to find a mix of black tea from Sri Lanka, India, and Kenya. Modern tea tastes in the UK overall run to strong black tea that not only holds up to, but almost requires, milk and sugar – a nice, boot-you-out-of-bed tea.
Having a tender and sensitive tummy, I am cautious with breakfast blends as I don’t add anything to my tea, and with no milk to smooth my morning beverage the day can go dicey if the tea is too astringent. Also, once awake I am generally ready to go and don’t need to kick in the pants.
This fair trade tea is a blend of Ceylon, Kenyan, and Assam teas. I have put them in the order I believe them to be represented in the blend based on the taste. Far and away the top note for me is the lemony taste of Ceylon tea tingling on my tongue. This high citrus note is almost enough to make you think it is flavored! This often indicates that the tea was grown at a higher elevation of Sri Lanka. I put Assam last because I am not getting a huge amount of malty or bready flavor.
I am quite able to drink this without milk and sugar, enjoying the dry tingle of the briskness of the tea without the almost instant stomach ache some breakfast teas give me. I do believe that if milk and sugar is your thing, the tea could withstand it and wouldn’t wimp out under the additions.
If you love a good, black breakfast blend and want to upgrade to fair trade and organic tea, give it a try!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Virginia Tea Company
Description
This organic tea is perfect for pairing with your morning meal. The full-bodied flavor can be blended with milk and sugar to create an even better drinking experience.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
BOH Single Garden Palas Afternoon Premium Black Tea from BOH. . . .
This is the tea for the purists.
For those that don’t like fruity tuity flavorings and additives. Boh’s Palas Afternoon Tea is a black tea, of the orange pekoe variety.
I didn’t have any background info on this tea when I taste tested it, other than that it was called Palas Afternoon Tea, which was surprisingly not enough to find in a google search! The product certainly looked more like a black tea, but had a very nutty, earthy flavor that I tend to associate more with green teas. I found it to be much lighter and smoother than most other black teas (in taste and appearance!).
If I’m going to take my tea plain, I generally prefer mine green, so I was surprised when I discovered it was in fact a black cuppa. It lacked the bitterness I often find with black teas, but also the dryness I typically find with green teas. It combined the qualities I prefer from each into one product! It appears to be offered as a canister of loose leaf tea, so if you want to stock up on a mild black tea, check this one out!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Amazon
Description
A fine, flowery pekoe from the cool slopes of Sungei Palas. A light and delicate full leaf tea. We pick the finest quality of leaves to make our tea. Aromatic and delicate, this smooth blend uses only the tender shoots.
With a light aroma, this full leaf Orange Pekoe “A” afternoon tea is carefully chosen and picked from select tea fields. Its delicate flavours create a tea that is soothing and calming, and is best served and enjoyed plain.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Winter Pine from Tea & Tins. . . . .
My favorite thing about this tea is how beautiful it is!! It could make a beautiful decorative centerpiece with the vibrant red peppercorns and orange pieces. It says Christmas season all over it.
The flavor is predominantly green tea, followed by orange, with a very subtle hint of almond in it. I was unable to pick up any of the peppercorn or safflower flavors. This would be a delightful cup of tea next to a fireplace on a winters eve, or a holiday break morning tea with scones.
I would suggest using an open tea basket to see the beautiful collage of mixture. I’d hazard a guess that this could also make a refreshing iced-tea on a steaming hot summer day, when you long for winter days!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Tea & Tins
Description
Loose leaf green tea: a festive combination of sweet almond and refreshing orange invokes the warm times of holiday season.
Ingredients: green tea, orange slices, planed almonds, flavoring, pink peppercorns, safflower.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Apple Delicious from Love Some Tea. . . .
The short of it: They weren’t lying!
This was a very pleasing, delicious cup of tea to enjoy on a rainy fall day! The green tea made the perfect pairing for the mild and smooth apple flavor. The apple was strong enough that I did not have to imagine it was there, but subtle enough that the smoothness of the green tea came through. There was a very mild tang at the end of each sip. The website (www.lovesometea.com) describes the tea as having ginger, strawberry, cherry and cranberry notes in addition to the apple. The after note of tartness I would contribute to the cranberry and ginger, but neither are overwhelming enough to overpower the apple and green tea flavors. The strawberry was a bit to subtle for my palate to pickup. The blend is a beautiful mix, with moderate sized fruit pieces visible within. It is very possible that my sample size didn’t contain strawberry pieces (I could see cranberry and apple easily), and I suspect that if you didn’t’ mix the blend before each cup, you’d have a slightly new adventure each go around.
All in all: I’d stock this as a good comfort tea, and name it as my favorite apple flavored tea yet.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Love Some Tea
Description
Green Tea Flavored with deep notes Ginger and Fruits including: strawberry, cherries, cranberry, and apple.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Warming from Balcony Tea. . . .
This herbal blend is a comforting taste of familiarity. The predominant flavor is the lemon verbena with the orange blossom chasing it.
One has to concentration to taste the cinnamon and ginger flavors, although there is a gentle cinnamon aroma to the cup. In fact, the “hint of spice” is hidden well enough that a cup of Warming is better suited for quiet contemplation or a bedtime habit, than an energizing pick me-up.
This would be an excellent tea to have on hand for those days when you aren’t feeling well, emotionally or physically. Not having been in the Mediterranean, I cannot vouch for the claim of a Mediterranean feel, but I can say it would fit in well in a solitary cabin setting! I feel like this would not be the tea I’d reach for to offer a friend in need of comfort, because it is mild enough that it requires your focus to truly appreciate.
I’m going to project here, and say this is an introverted tea, best enjoyed in the quiet aloneness that allows thought and concentrated appreciation.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Herbal
Where to Buy: Balcony Tea
Description
Escape long rainy days on our “Warming Balcony” with sun-kissed citrus flavour and a hint of spice.
Ingredients:
Ginger – Spicy and warming; traditionally used to help circulation and ease stomach issues. Lemon Balm – To help you feel relaxed and refreshed. Lemon Verbena – Bursting with lemon flavour. Cinnamon – Naturally sweet and comforting. Orange peel – Beautifully aromatic with a true Mediterranean feel. Orange blossom – Deliciously fragrant with delicate floral honeyed notes.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!