I remember the first full day of my study abroad semester in London like it was yesterday (instead of 2009– wait, am I getting old? Don’t
answer that). After a sleepless trans-Atlantic flight and a lazy day of getting acclimated, we were invited to a proper cream tea at a local historic hotel. My love of tea had begun long before my international journey, but it was fairly exclusive to basic herbals and the occasional green– every time I tried to drink straight black tea, I got this stomach-turning ick and would set it aside until it turned cold and eventually would be dumped out. Something about this particular day, though– maybe it was my eagerness to acclimate to my new (kinda) foreign home, maybe it was jetlag– but I poured myself a cuppa, and it was like the heavens parted above me. I was ALL. IN. As if in an instant with my first sip, I understood what all the fuss was about in this country I was to call my home for the next six months– cream tea? Yes please.
Pretty much not a day went by for that next half-year that didn’t begin with my favorite strong cuppa, wasn’t intersected mid-day for a break with another, or my commute home that wasn’t warmed and nourished by a creamy, strong to-go. I learned that the best–and only way to brew really *good* English breakfast was to drop your (strong, very strong) tea bag in some hot water, swirl for a few seconds and immediately draw out, leaving dark, golden-brown nectar in the cup.
And that’s how I judge my English Breakfasts to this very day– can it brew to full strength in just a few stirs? Does it hold milk and sugar (or now, a few years later for me– coconut milk and honey) well?
And I was abundantly pleased to see that Hope & Glory fit the bill– and with the ‘organic’ delineation to boot! This robust breakfast tea does the English stereotype of strong tea justice, and hits that perfectly balanced, comforting flavor that I’ve come to expect from a well-brewed cup. For a pyramid bag, the leaves were well-intact, and I’d absolutely keep this one in my desk at work for a mid-day pick-me-up without the fuss of loose leaves.
Well done, Hope & Glory!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Hope and Glory
Description
A lively, full bodied blend of Assam and Ceylon organic black teas. Assam provides body and thickness to the tea while Ceylon gives it brightness and citrus character. This blend is best served with milk.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Bombay Breakfast Black Tea from The Jasmine Pearl Co.
I love black teas. I love breakfast teas. I love Chai. Therefore I am not surprised that I was eager to try Bombay Breakfast from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company.
It is said that Bombay Breakfast is ‘surprisingly popular’ among their customers. With flavor and quality like this I don’t think it’s such a surprise, really. I think it deserves the praise. It’s gently malty, a little spicy, and a tad floral. I don’t think it’s as spicy or as intense as some chais I have had but its flavor is just dandy. .
The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company says this is an excellent morning tea and I completely agree. I start each and every day with at least 1 (or 5) black based teas so I am always looking for more to put into rotation. They also suggest Bombay Breakfast to accompany almost any dessert. I have yet to put that to the test but I just might have to soon!
The aroma and the taste of Bombay Breakfast from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company is rich, full, satisfying, tasty, and hardy. It infuses to a golden-orange-brown. A follow-up infusion with a longer steep time reveals a heavier cardamom and ginger flavor and subtle rose.
Bombay Breakfast from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company is a great way to start the day – and if you are pairing it with dessert – a great way to end your day, too!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Jasmine Pearl Co.
Description
Our surprisingly popular Bombay Breakfast is an ideal milk and sugar tea. Malty Assam, spicy ginger, aromatic cardamom, and sensual roses brew up a very rich, tasty, full-nosed brew. Bold and satisfying, Bombay Breakfast is excellent as a morning tea or as a complement to almost any dessert.
INGREDIENTS:
Indian Black Tea*, Ginger*, Cardamom*, Roses.
*Organically Grown.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Morning Pick-Me-Up from Tocha Teas
Good morning, Sisters and Friends! Today I’m trying a tea called “Morning Pick-Me-Up,” which is a thing I very sorely need. I had a 
misadventure this morning involving getting a bag of dog poop on my house’s roof, plus it’s pouring cats, canines, elephants, giraffes, and squirrels. I was good until the squirrels. My jacket isn’t rainproof. I also slept through my morning workout. To sum it up: you have NO IDEA how a Pick-Me-Up is required. ONE CANNOT FATHOM THIS DAY. And it’s only 11 a.m.
This tea is super-interesting, combining a deep, smoky tea with floral elements. The ingredients for this tea just say “black tea;” I suspect the tea is Lapsang souchong.
It’s like a see-saw of emotion. When Pick-Me-Up is on the tongue, you get the smoke, but there’s a floral finish toward the end. There’s something here for everybody. Smoke/leather isn’t usually my thing at all, but the floral touch at the end somehow ties it together. This works.
I kind of see this tea as a rough cowboy sort who likes his Parliaments and meat, but then comes home to his wife in the garden and sits with her while she’s working. He occasionally does the tough stuff with the edger and the trimmer. He prunes the trees, and she makes him a pie. His Harley is parked next to her Prius at the end of their gravel driveway in the country. They’ve got an opposites-attract thing that works for them. All of their friends at Bluegrass Open Mic Night are jealous of how independent they are of each other but how beautifully they mesh.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Tocha Teas
Description
The fragrance of purifying Osmanthus flowers is the perfect complement to the subtle sweetness of whole leaf black tea. Quench your thirst and revitalize your spirit with this smooth, full-bodied blend; ideal for kick-starting your morning or uplifting your afternoon.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Sessa Estate Black Tea from Pekoe Sip House
I recently started my day with a cup of Sessa Estate Black Tea from Pekeo Sip House. Sessa Estate Black Tea from Pekeo Sip House is a single estate Assam made from whole golden leaves.
It ‘brews’ to a deep, dark brown – which I adore! The tea – once in the cup – smells malty and slightly sweet. On the tongue Sessa Estate Black Tea from Pekeo Sip House tastes malty, astringent-in-good-way, and quite strong. There are dark chocolatey notes in the middle of the sip that I picked up on. But they just played peek-a-boo and then the flavor changed up to move on to the end-sip which was much like the beginning of my tea sipping experience. I guess the flavor came full-circle or maybe just walked around in a circle…either way…Sessa Estate Black Tea from Pekeo Sip House was a hefty cuppa that I enjoyed early in the morning to help wake me up!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Pekoe Sip House
Description
Broad and full golden leaves with a deep, sweet, and malty aroma.
A single-estate tea from India, our Sessa Estate tea is an Assam black tea made from whole golden leaves, creating a sweet and malty aroma.
We recommend serving hot as black tea or with a milk and sweetener of your choice.
Ingredients: Single estate golden-tipped Indian Assam tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Morning Pick Me Up from Tocha Teas
I’m a green tea drinker for the most part. When I do drink black tea, it’s usually Chai, or some other spiced/flavored black tea. I guess for the most part I just find plain black tea a little flat and boring.
I tried this tea two different ways. One cup was plain, with a little coconut sugar. It’s a lightweight black tea, and the floral notes are very subtle, but they’re there. I actually enjoyed this cup more than I expected, and would drink it that way again. It also has a slight sweetness to it, so I used less than a teaspoon of coconut sugar. If you don’t like very sweet tea, you’d probably love it alone!
The second cup I tried was with the same amount of coconut sugar, and a splash of coconut milk. Now this is what I need in the morning! It was sweet and creamy and just really pleasant. I feel like not only did it give me a little morning pick me up, but it also put a smile on my face.
Think Earl Grey, with a little less floral aftertaste. Very nice for a crisp morning!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tocha Tea
Description
The fragrance of purifying Osmanthus flowers is the perfect complement to the subtle sweetness of whole leaf black tea. Quench your thirst and revitalize your spirit with this smooth, full-bodied blend; ideal for kick-starting your morning or uplifting your afternoon.
