Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Revolution Tea
Tea Description:
Revolution Tea’s English Breakfast is made from the finest quality Ceylon and Assam black teas available. Enjoy this hearty, robust tea that stays true to the exacting standards of the popular original. This tea is truly a great way to start your day.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When it comes to English Breakfast blends, there are a few characteristics that I look for; qualities that I consider “standard” in an English Breakfast. Among these are a rich, even tone. I want it to be strong. I don’t want it bitter. I want it to be delicious enough to stand on its own with no additions, but able to take additions such as milk and sugar if I want that.
This English Breakfast blend from Revolution has those qualities I look for in an English Breakfast blend. It is really quite tasty, with a pleasing, honey-caramel sweetness to it, a touch of malt, and a richness that stands alone well, but also would remain flavorful if some milk were added for a latte.
This is actually one of the most flavorful bagged (sachet) English Breakfast blends that I’ve yet to encounter. It has a good amount of gusto to it – this promises to invigorate me this morning and that’s a good thing! – and it is pleasantly sweet and has that delicious, bake-y, chewy kind of flavor that makes breakfast blends so satisfying.
English Peppermint from Tiger Spring Tea
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: Tiger Spring Tea
Tisane Description:
Our single estate peppermint, grown and harvested in England is probably the strongest peppermint in the UK. It is coarse cut and its pure taste will satisfy all peppermint lovers and because only a small amount is needed to make a refreshing cup of ‘tea’, it makes it an excellent value product. Because of its fragance be prepared to store this tea in an air-tight container, unless you prefer your whole house to smell of nothing but pure peppermint!
Learn more about this herbal infusion here.
Taster’s Review:
Living in the Pacific Northwest, I find that I can be a bit snobbish when it comes to things that are grown here – like apples and cherries and even peppermint. I tend to think that Washington peppermint is the best, and no other even comes close. Well, this English Peppermint from Tiger Spring Tea is proving me wrong.
That’s not to say that we don’t have the best peppermint here in the Pacific Northwest, I still (stubbornly) believe that is true. But, I must admit that this single estate peppermint from England is really good, and quite possibly just as good as anything I’ve tried that was grown in Washington.
Now, I bet some of you are sitting there, reading this, and thinking: “come on! Peppermint is peppermint! It’s an herb and it’s the same no matter where it’s grown.” But, that’s not true. Just as tea is different depending upon where it is grown, peppermint is also different. (Of course, the quality and taste of the peppermint also depends largely on how it’s harvested, processed, and how long it’s been stored)
The moment I opened the pouch of this English Peppermint, I was blown away at the strong, fresh scent. It smells VERY minty. And of course, it tastes very minty too – it’s pure peppermint, after all! But, there is also a smoothness to it, almost a buttery note to the background. While it does have an intensely fresh taste to it, I don’t feel like I’m sipping on liquified toothpaste.
And it is very soothing, too. Peppermint is often used to calm the digestive system and I find that after my barbeque rib dinner this evening, this is relaxing and soothing … not to mention the fact that my mouth feels minty fresh and clean!
An excellent peppermint tea. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional peppermint tea … and that says a lot for a peppermint that wasn’t grown here in Washington!
Shagadelic English Breakfast from The Tea Spot
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Tea Description:
Our Shagadelic English Breakfast tea combines four gorgeous, full leaf, black teas from three different countries, resulting in a deep, rich, well-balanced liquor. This British tea favorite is fit for the Queen, but lighthearted enough for Austin Powers. And its black tea caffeine kick will help jump-start your morning mojo!
Learn more about this English breakfast tea here.
Taster’s Review:
There are many different teas that I enjoy as that all-important “first thing in the morning” tea, from Argentinian Yerba Maté to Guayusa from the rainforests in Ecuador to a good, strong Assam from India. But I think there is always something a little special about a good breakfast blend. It’s that artistry that goes into the blending of several different types of teas to create a delicious taste that welcomes you to the start of a new day that makes me excited to try a new breakfast blend.
Well, that … and the “Austin Powers” fan in me couldn’t resist the name of this tea!
And I think that The Tea Spot has done Austin Powers proud with this blend. It is rich and hearty. Malty and I detect hints of chocolate-y notes. Subtle spiced notes. Earthy with a hint of oak in the background. Energizing and delicious!
The Tea Spot does not mention which teas go into this blend, but if I were to offer a guess based upon my experience with tea, I’d guess that I’m tasting Nilgiri (and/or possibly Assam) and Yunnan, perhaps a Ceylon, and maybe a Keemun. I’m pretty sure of the Yunnan and am fairly sure of the Nilgiri. This definitely has the rich, malty notes from the Nilgiri and the deep, smooth flavor of the Yunnan.
It’s a very rewarding cup – one that is delicious served hot and straight with no additions, but would also take the additions of milk and honey (or sugar) well if that’s how you like to take your morning tea.
This tea lives up to its name – it is definitely Shagadelic!
Special Savings: Now through August 6th, you can save 15% on Shagadelic English Breakfast Tea from The Tea Spot! Use the code shagibtea in the coupon field at checkout for your special savings!
English Breakfast Tea from Golden Moon Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Golden Moon Tea
Tea Description:
From the world’s finest gardens, we blend Keemun, Assam, and Ceylon leaves with a touch of refined Darjeeling. Coppery liquor awakens the palate with a brisk and complex flavor. Toasty, with subtle floral undertones. Invigorating accompaniment with breakfast, or at any time of the day. As with all traditional English Breakfast teas, excellent with a spot of milk and a spoonful of sugar.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I received this tea a month or so ago but after reading the latest newsletter from Golden Moon Tea yesterday I was inspired to try this tea today.
This is a really good English Breakfast blend: full-flavored and well-rounded, and with a very pleasing roasted overtone to it. While it is nicely balanced, I like that I can pick out the different qualities from the different teas that have contributed to this full-bodied blend.
I can taste that certain briskness from the Ceylon: bright and tasting faintly of citrus. I can taste the malty tones of the Assam, and there is a certain boldness to the cup as well that is very Assam-like. I can also taste a bit of earthiness to the cup, as well as a hint of warm spice from the Keemun. And I taste the light crispness that comes from the Darjeeling.
It’s a wonderful combination of teas that seems to capture the best qualities of each without being overpowered by any particular tea, and without succumbing to any bitterness or harshness from them. Even the astringency here is not overwhelming. The aftertaste is sweet – almost like caramel – and lightly floral.
A very satisfying English Breakfast, one of the best that I’ve tried.
English Toffee from Simpson & Vail
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Product Description:
English Toffee is a sweet made with sugar and butter. This decadent tea has a sweet, creamy taste with no calories! Blended with black teas from China and Sri Lanka, our English Toffee tea brews to a deep amber cup with a light butterscotch taste.
Ingredients: black teas, flavoring, and marigold petals.
Taster’s Review:
I’m liking this one a lot. I have to admit that there was some initial disappointment because the chocoholic in me wanted some chocolate flavor in with the English Toffee flavors (when I think of English Toffee, I think of the candy bars like Heath or Scor, or even the decadent gourmet toffees from Cary’s of Oregon, all of which are enrobed in chocolate). That chocoholic sometimes forgets that “English Toffee” is that yummy, buttery, caramel-y crunchy candy under the chocolate coating!
And, this is indeed yummy, buttery and caramel-y rich. All that’s missing is the crunchy texture. There is a bit of a burnt sugar – I almost want to say bitterness, but I mean it in the most delicious way possible – taste to it, reminding me of the days when I was in my early 20s and I actually had time to make confections such as English Toffee (I used to make my own toffee, break it into tiny bits, and then mix it to cookie dough with chocolate chips to make my own homemade toffee cookies. YUM!)
This English Toffee tea has all the flavor that I’d experience with my homemade English Toffee, plus the delicious taste of black tea. The black tea base lends a solid background of flavor and a bit of astringency to this cup without overwhelming the buttery sweet flavor of the toffee. I would categorize this black tea as a somewhat mild black tea – it is strong but not overbearing – and it makes a delightful base for the flavors of toffee.
A delightful autumnal blend that would be delicious to serve any time of year!