Many of us start the day with a cup of English breakfast tea. The comfort of its smooth taste and the pick-me-up that the caffeine offers can help to both wake us up and begin the day in a calm mood. In addition to the delicious taste, there are many fascinating facts and tales about this much-loved brew.
What is English breakfast tea?
There is more than one answer to this question. English breakfast tea is a blend of black tea, but the recipe varies from maker to maker. It may come from estates in Assam, East Africa, or Sri Lanka. Most people will add milk to their English breakfast tea, and some add sugar, but the smooth taste can also be enjoyed on its own.
How did it get its name?
Nobody knows for certain how English breakfast tea got its name; however, the story goes that in the late 18th century, as tea drinking became more popular, a teamaker from Scotland called Drysdale wanted to make a stronger brew. He marketed it as breakfast tea, as it was ideal for the mornings.
It is suggested that it is not known as Scottish breakfast tea because when Queen Victoria enjoyed it at Balmoral, she brought a box back to England. From then on, it was known as English breakfast tea.
It has become a popular form of tea, and not just at breakfast time; in fact, most afternoon tea boxes from companies such as https://www.afternoonteabox.com/ will provide English breakfast tea as one of the options.
Benefits of English breakfast tea
On average, black tea has about half the caffeine level of coffee. It also has a slower release that can help keep you alert for longer.
Studies remain ongoing into the health benefits of tea, but it is possible that it can help with blood pressure, weight loss, osteoporosis, and even some kinds of cancers. If this proves to be true, it is impressive stuff for the humble cuppa and although no excuse is needed, what better reason for putting the kettle on?