Wednesday, February 10, 2010

English Breakfast Tea

tea label

English Breakfast black tea is one of the most popular blends.  It usually contains Assam and Keemun teas.  Both of these Indian and Chinese teas are good on their own, but together they make a delicious blend.  I like the brisk flavor and dark coppery color.  It is perfect to accompany a meal and takes a splash of milk quite well. 

This tea originated in Scotland and was sold by Drysdale tea merchants and simply called Breakfast tea.  Queen Victoria, who often spent time in Scotland with Prince Albert at Balmoral estate, developed a taste for this tea.  It soon made its way to London, where the name was changed to English Breakfast tea.

I’m still trying to drink more green teas, but I always start my day with a robust black tea, preferably one like English Breakfast that contains Assam.

8 comments:

  1. An English Breakfast tea definitely needs a splash of milk or a squeeze of lemon. Great breakfast drink.

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  2. Very enlightening post about the history of this tea, Maureen, and I love that pretty tea label!

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  3. Queen Victoria had good taste !
    Great tea trivia!

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  4. Oh yeah, gotta have my "robusta cuppa" in the am. Love the label and the short history - thanks.

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  5. Very interesting! A well known tea blender told me English Breakfast is a blend of the blender's choice.

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  6. Very interesting information! I started a tea club at the office: "dues" is one box of tea, so we get a great variety. Turns out, English Breakfast has been a favorite, hands down.

    I, too, am trying to drink more green tea, but my morning tea is usually EB! Thanks for the back story on this tea.

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  7. You can't go wrong Queen V drank it! :-)

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  8. Hope you are doing well this winter and I really enjoyedmy visit to your blog!

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