English Breakfast Black Tea
rich and robust flavor blended to go well with milk and sugar
FLAVOR PROFILE
English Breakfast Black Tea is a bold, energizing blend with deep flavor that stands up to the addition of milk and sugar.
Recipes for English Breakfast teas vary, but all are ultimately full-bodied and frequently include a strong Ceylon tea component. Because its tannin levels are medium to full, classic Ceylon flavor is described as bold, full and brisk. Ceylon tea leaves will also often have notes of citrus making this cup a good pairing with a slice of lemon.
Traditionally, breakfast teas were intended to accompany a hearty, rich morning meal and to give a boost to the start of one’s day. Therefore, teas classified as breakfast teas have higher caffeine levels than most other black teas.
The overall cup of our English Breakfast Black Tea is robust, but smooth with a light citrus-like finish.
BENEFITS
As a black breakfast tea, English Breakfast contains very high levels of caffeine.
As with all quality black teas, like ours, this tea contains high levels of antioxidants.
Black tea** offers a variety of health benefits:
- Contains polyphenols that have antioxidant properties that may decrease the risk of chronic disease and improve overall health
- Contains flavonoids, another group of antioxidants, which are beneficial for heart health and may reduce the risk of heart disease
- Studies have found that black tea may help reduce LDL levels and decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke
- Contains polyphenols and antimicrobial properties may help improve gut health and immunity
- Contains polyphenols that may decrease cancer cell development
- Contains several compounds and one specifically (epigallocatechin gallate) shown to improve insulin levels
- Contains the amino acid L-theanine that increases alpha activity in the brain to help improve focus and alertness
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
English Breakfast Black Tea is excellent served hot or iced. This tea takes well to sugar, honey and other sweeteners. Milk is an especially enticing traditional addition to this classic tea as is a slice of lemon. However, never add lemon and milk to the cup together. The acid in the lemon will cause the milk to curdle.
PREPARATION
Traditional Hot Tea
Measure one heaping teaspoon of tea leaves per one cup water into a tea filter or into an infuser of your choice. Keep in mind, the infuser you choose must be large enough to allow the tea leaves to swell and unfurl. This allows the tea leaves to release their full flavor. Place filter into teapot or mug. Bring filtered or freshly drawn water to a boil then pour into teapot or mug. Infuse 3-5 minutes. Remove the filter and discard or remove infuser and discard tea leaves. Garnish as desired with sugar, honey, sweetener and/or lemon slices.
Iced Tea
Measure six heaping teaspoons of tea leaves into a tea filter and place into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Bring 2 cups of filtered or freshly drawn water to a boil. Immediately pour boiled water over filter into teapot or heat-resistant pitcher. Infuse 3-5 minutes. Remove filter and sweeten tea with ½ cup sugar if desired. Add 2 cups of filtered or freshly drawn water to a serving pitcher. Pour in prepared tea and mix well. Add 2 cups ice and stir. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Cold-infusion Method*
Measure four teaspoons of tea leaves into a tea filter and place inside a clean glass jar or small pitcher. Position filter so that the tea leaves will be submerged and the top hangs over the side of the jar or pitcher so that leaves do not spill out once water is added. Pour four cups of filtered or freshly drawn water over the filter. Cover with lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate 8-12 hours (or overnight).
*Cold-infused tea has higher levels of antioxidants, less caffeine and less tannins resulting in a smoother cup.
Due to the inclusion of black tea leaves, English Breakfast Black Tea may be infused a second time, although flavor will be lighter, using either traditional infusing methods or cold-infusion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
English Breakfast Black Tea, like all teas, should be stored out of direct light and in a cool, dry place. Properly stored, this tea will stay fresh for up to two years.
Ingredients: black tea
