Typical English Breakfast | The most iconic beverage will always be English Breakfast tea

English Breakfast is a black tea blend that is considered one of the most popular and recognizable varieties of tea in the world. It originates from Great Britain and has become an iconic English breakfast beverage. It is a mix of black teas from different regions, such as Assam, Ceylon and Kenya. The resulting blend is strong tasting, robust and energetic with a dark colour.

It is said that English Breakfast tea was originally created to complement traditional English breakfasts, which are usually hearty and contain dishes such as eggs, bacon, sausages and toast. Its intense flavor and ability to mix well with milk and sugar make it a popular choice to accompany heartier foods.

You may be interested to read: English Breakfast Tea – Baked Oat Porridge and English Breakfast

Organic Black Tea

Origin of England’s most famous tea

The history of English Breakfast tea dates back to the 19th century in Britain. Although there is no exact history or documented origin, it is believed that its popularity began around that time.

Then, tea was already a very popular drink in Britain. It was imported from different producing regions, such as India, Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) and Kenya. British traders used to blend different types of black tea to create a balanced and tasty combination. The blend of black teas that would eventually become English Breakfast tea is believed to have been popularized by an Edinburgh tea merchant named Drysdale in the 1840s. His blend quickly gained popularity as an ideal tea for breakfast (rather than just for the afternoon), calling it “Breakfast Tea”.

Although it is not known exactly when this tea became known as “English Breakfast”, it is said that Queen Victoria tried a breakfast tea while visiting Balmoral in Scotland and enjoyed it so much that she took a box back to England. It later became known as “English Breakfast Tea” and is now a staple in pantries across the country.

Over time, English Breakfast tea was exported to different countries and became popular all over the world. Especially in the British colonies. It also became an important part of tea culture in places like the United States, Canada and Australia. Today, English Breakfast tea is consumed all over the globe and is not just limited to breakfast. It can be enjoyed at any time of the day and is a common drink in many cultures. It is particularly appreciated for its rich and energetic taste, as well as its ability to stimulate and awaken the senses.

How to prepare an authentic English Breakfast tea

The way to drink this tea can vary according to personal preferences. But, in this blog, we want to give you some general guidelines on how to enjoy this delicious variety of tea, either in tea bags or as loose leaf.

First, prepare the water: Heat water until it reaches a temperature of about 95°C to 100°C. You can also boil it and let it steep for a few seconds before pouring it over the tea leaves.

To calculate the amount of tea, you have no problem if you use tea bags, but if you use leaf tea, you will need approximately one teaspoon of tea per cup of hot water. However, you can adjust the amount according to your preference for the intensity of the flavors.

Infuse the tea: Place the tea bags or tea leaves in a teapot or infuser and pour the hot water over them. Allow to infuse for about 3 minutes. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can let it infuse a little longer, but avoid letting it infuse for too long, as it can become bitter.

To serve, you can enjoy English Breakfast tea on its own or add a dash of milk and sugar to taste. The British tradition is to add a small amount of milk, but this is completely optional and depends on your personal preference. If you add milk, it is generally recommended to pour the milk into the cup before adding the tea, but again, this can vary according to your preferences.

This beautiful tea can be enjoyed on its own and is particularly delicious with biscuits, cakes or sandwiches.

Please remember that these are just general guidelines, and you can adjust the preparation according to your personal taste to enjoy your cup of English Breakfast tea.

Iced English tea for those hot days

On hot days, you can also prepare English tea with ice. To do this, prepare the strongest English Breakfast tea. If you want to sweeten it, make it while it is hot. Then let it cool down to room temperature and put it in the fridge until it reaches the desired temperature. If you prefer, you can serve the tea at room temperature and then add ice cubes. Serve and enjoy immediately, to prevent the tea from becoming too watery, or allow it to dissolve, to soften its flavors.

Properties and benefits of this black tea blend

English Breakfast retains many of the properties associated with black tea. For example:

• Stimulant: English Breakfast tea contains caffeine, which makes it a stimulating drink. Caffeine can provide a boost of energy and help maintain mental alertness.
• Antioxidant: This tea is rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids and catechins. The compounds can help fight free radicals in the body and may contribute to cellular protection against oxidative damage.
• Digestive: Some people find that English Breakfast tea aids digestion after a large meal. It may have a stimulating effect on the digestive system and promote healthy bowel function.
• Source of nutrients: English Breakfast tea contains certain nutrients, such as minerals (potassium, magnesium) and vitamins (vitamin B2, vitamin B6), but in relatively small amounts.
• Hydrating: Despite containing caffeine, this tea can contribute to daily hydration, as the water content is high, and it can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Contraindications of English Breakfast tea

It is important to note that the effects and properties may vary depending on the individual and the amount of tea consumed. In addition, while English Breakfast tea may have health benefits, it is advisable to moderate its consumption and consult a health professional if you have a specific medical condition or are taking medications that may interact with caffeine.

This tea is one of the most potent teas, so some people should exercise caution in its consumption. And, it is contraindicated for children, pregnant and lactating women due to its high caffeine concentration. It is also not recommended for people with hypertension problems, who should opt for other, milder varieties of tea.

But…if you love this tea blend, we recommend limiting it to three cups a day, because too much caffeine can cause headaches, irritability, or insomnia.

And if you’re someone who wants to cut down on coffee, try English Breakfast tea instead of coffee at least one day a week, and experience how diverse breakfast can be. Plus, it’s a chance to experience how different the taste of the food that you’re used to is, depending on the beverages you have for breakfast.

Do you feel like preparing an English Breakfast? Discover the options we suggest at Semper Tea and leave us your comments on this delicious and healthy tea for breakfast or any other time of the day.

And if you don’t want to miss out on our news, ideas or infos about our organic teas and infusions, follow us on our social networks Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Linkedin. Or subscribe to our newsletter by filling in the following form…