A Cup of Culture: The English Breakfast Tea

English Breakfast Tea

As an enthusiastic tea drinker myself, I’m delighted to share the story behind one of the most popular blended teas—the iconic English breakfast tea. This drink has become intertwined with the very culture and identity of England.

English Breakfast With Tea

What is English Breakfast Tea?

English breakfast tea refers to a black tea blend usually comprised of Assam, Ceylon and Kenyan teas. It very likely originated in the 19th century as a tea easily brewed by the hard water commonly found in England. The rich, full-bodied blend provides the perfect pick-me-up to start the day. In fact, it’s the go-to throughout the day. While Americans drink coffee, the British drink tea. It’s typically served with milk and goes wonderfully well with a traditional English breakfast.

The Breakfast Tea Tradition

While coffee may dominate the breakfast scene in much of the world, the English have long built their mornings around tea. Even today, despite the encroaching popularity of coffee, nearly 60% of Brits still prefer a cup of tea first thing. Breakfast tea remains deeply ingrained in their morning rituals and culture. For most, it’s simply unthinkable to start the day without it!

Potential Health Benefits

When it comes to caffeine levels, breakfast tea contains around 50 to 90mg per cup, compared to coffee’s 95 to 200mg per cup. Moderate caffeine gives you a pleasant lift without the jitteriness sometimes associated with coffee. The tea also delivers antioxidant benefits from its natural polyphenols that help fight free radicals. Additionally, studies suggest the manganese it provides supports bone health. So sipping this wholesome, habit-forming brew offers a refreshing way to start your mornings.

I invite all tea lovers to wake up their taste buds and give this traditional breakfast tea a try. Discover for yourself why it’s been a mainstay of English culture for over 150 years. From its rich flavor profile to its potential health perks, a good cup of English breakfast tea has a lot to offer. So put on the kettle, take a seat, and treat yourself to this little taste of English culture. Cheers!

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