There’s perhaps no tea quite as ubiquitous as English Breakfast. Indeed, the mere mention immediately conjures up images of getting just the boost of energy you need to kickstart your morning. Yet, despite the familiarity, many people don’t actually know what English Breakfast tea is. It’s time to break this tasty beverage down!
The Perfect Blend
Indeed, there’s no better way to begin the day than with a mug of Twinings English Breakfast Tea. Designed to be strong and satisfying, it’s made from a robust blend of black teas. The leaves in these blends are typically sourced from the Indian state of Assam, Kenya, and other luscious regions. The combination allows for a uniquely rich flavor profile. Assam leaves are often used as the foundation, since they have a powerful, malty taste. The Kenyan leaves, which provide the deep autumnal coloring and the briskness, are added to even out the base and ultimately create a more balanced beverage.
To Each Their Own
Of course, all English breakfast teas are not the same. You can easily find blends that hit different notes. For example, Twinings English Breakfast Extra Bold delivers a strong, full body flavor. If you prefer something a bit sweeter, you’ll likely want to try Twinings English Breakfast Honey & Vanilla. And Twinings English Breakfast Decaffeinated is as brisk as regular but without the caffeine.
Don’t let that last decaffeinated option allow you to dismiss English Breakfast tea as a morning treat. This tea offers smooth, full-bodied, lively, coppery-red cup of tea that's perfect for any time of day, and most blends are indeed caffeinated. Though it doesn’t quite deliver the level of buzz you’d get from coffee, each cup has an average of 47 mg of caffeine (versus 95 mg in coffee). The ultimate caffeine content depends on the brewing process, the temperature of the water, the length of time you steep and whether you use tea bags or loose leaves.
“You can learn to make your own perfect cup of tea with a few simple experiments. Try varying the amount of water per tea bag (or spoonful of loose tea) to find out if you like tea stronger or milder. Experiment with steeping time by sampling a spoonful of brewing tea at different intervals to note your preferences. You can also try your English Breakfast tea with additions such as dairy or non-dairy milk, honey, sugar, lemon, or even more creative options like a dash of vanilla extract,” shares Twinings Herbalist Bevin Clare.
Some Like It Hot (or Cold)
English Breakfast tea can be enjoyed both hot and iced, making it ideal for every season. To make the perfect hot tea, you should boil fresh, cold water and let the leaves steep for three to five minutes. However, when it comes to the iced version, you’ll only want to keep the bag in for three minutes. Otherwise you’ll be left with a cloudy, bitter drink.
Get That Boost
Beyond providing a welcome morning wakeup or refreshing afternoon respite, Twinings English Breakfast Tea can offer a bright and invigorating moment that's a positive lift-me-up for any time of day. And thanks to its caffeine, black tea can help assist with focus and deliver an energy boost.
There’s a good reason English Breakfast tea has become one of the most popular drinks around the world and one of Twinings’ and the nation’s most beloved varieties - Twinings is indeed America’s #1 English Breakfast1. The rich flavors are sure to satisfy and help you start your day on the right note. It truly is comfort in a mug!
- Nielsen, L52WE 7/15/23