What is English tea?

English tea (often called English Breakfast tea) is a traditional blend of teas from different countries.
In our selection you will find blends that contain teas from Assam, Ceylon and Kenya.
These English teas are among the most popular in British tea culture.

English teas are a black tea blend usually described as full-bodied, robust, rich and blended to go well with milk and sugar.
These teas are traditionally associated with a hearty English breakfast.

Since the 18th century, the UK has been one of the world’s biggest consumers of tea, with an average annual consumption per capita of 1.9 kg.
per capita consumption of 1.9 kg.
The British Empire helped spread tea from China to India.

British interests controlled tea production on the subcontinent.
Tea, which started as an upper class drink in mainland Europe, quickly became part of every social class in Britain during the eighteenth century and has remained so ever since.
Tea remains a prominent feature of British culture and society.

In the UK, tea is usually served with milk, though it’s not uncommon to drink it black or with lemon, with sugar becoming a popular addition to all of these.

Tea culture and its origins

Descriptions of the origins of tea culture in Britain vary, but drinking a blend of black tea for breakfast is a longstanding British custom.
The practice of naming this custom “English breakfast tea” seems to have originated not in England, but in America, where there are accounts of the practice dating back to early colonial times.
Another account, referenced in a Journal of Commerce article, dates the custom to 1843 and a tea merchant named Richard Davies in New York City.
Davies, an English immigrant, started with a base of Congou and added a little Pekoe and Pouchong.
It sold for 50 cents a pound, and its success led to other tea merchants imitating his invention, further contributing to the popularity of both custom and name.
Regardless of who, what and where the English tradition of blending black tea originated, it is much loved by people around the world, including Brits and Danes.

A universe of tea

How do you make the perfect cup of English tea?

When it comes to making the perfect cup of English tea, no matter which variant you choose, you need to make sure you have the necessary equipment.
This is:

  • Electric kettle with temperature control option (alternatively, a saucepan can also be used).
  • A good blend of English tea
  • A molten iron teapot to retain flavor and heat.

The first thing you need to do is heat the water in your kettle to 90 degrees.
While the water reaches this temperature, rinse your teapot with scalding hot water.
Then add the heated water from your kettle.

Once this is done, add the black tea.
This is done by using two teaspoons for every 236 ml.
of water.
If you don’t want the tea to float around in the pot, you can easily use a tea filter or other type of filter.

If you don’t want the tea leaves to continue brewing in your pot while you enjoy your first cup, we recommend removing them after 3 – 5 minutes.

Most Brits will prefer to have milk with their tea, but there’s no harm done if your guests don’t want it.
The same goes for sugar or sweeteners.

Have a great time.

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