Life is about the simple things, like a quality cup of tea on a cold day. Read on to discover the best British tea brands to make you feel like royalty.
Nothing is more quintessential to a British person than a cup of tea, although Doctor Who fans might disagree. Almost 80% of Brits drink a cup of tea at least once a week, and a whopping 7.45 million of them drink at least four times a day or more.
People from all social statuses, from hardworking laborers to members of the royal family, enjoy the beverage, which is why it is no surprise that a number of the best tea brands in the world are British. Whether you want to spoil yourself with a cuppa before or after work, or planning a tea party to treat your friends, here are some of the best British tea brands that will give that royal treatment!
1. Twinings
Starting off with a classic brand that stood for over 300 years, Twinings remains one of the most famous tea companies in the United Kingdom. With more than 500 tea varieties, there is definitely something for everyone.
Personally, if elegance and a balanced flavor are what we are after, then Lady Earl Grey takes the cake. The zesty and fruity aroma alone is enough to make you crave a cup. This award-winning blend boasts a light and refreshing flavor that features notes of bergamot, orange, and lemon, which is sure to tone you down during your early or late afternoon break. Learn more about this blend in our Lady Grey Tea guide.
2. Taylors Of Harrogate
Taylors of Harrogate might be known for their quality Yorkshire teas, but their Pure Ceylon tea is a product also deserves recognition. The leaves they use are harvested from the high-altitude lands of Sri Lanka with weather conducive to producing quality crops with deep flavors associated with genuine Ceylon tea.
Despite not being flavored, this black tea features notes of sweet citrus fruits with a subtle but pleasant earthy taste. The cuppa is robust but just enough to give you a refreshing jolt of energy in the morning. It comes in tea bags for an easy brew, but they have a Special Rare Ceylon Loose Leaf Black Tea, albeit it is hard to procure these days.
3. Teapigs
Teapigs won’t be able to compete in terms of years of existence. But young as the brand is, it can hold its own against the big players with its playful take on its award-winning cuppas without compromising the quality, and this reflects on its herbal Peppermint Tea.
This minty beverage is made from slow-dried peppermint leaves, which helps retain most of its natural flavors. The aroma is divine, as what you would expect from peppermint, but once brewed, it is a fun cuppa to drink as the mint hits you fast but carefully dissipates to bring you a lingering and soothing fresh aftertaste.
What I love about them is their packaging is environmentally friendly from the tea bag down to its outer carton. You might never look back once you have tried this. You might also be interested in our round-up of the best sustianble coffee brands.
- Country of origin is United States
- The package dimension of the product is 8.1cmL x 5.1cmW x 12.7cmH
- Award winning peppermint tea bags made using whole leaves
- how does it taste?Very minty, very refreshing, very light.
4. Fortnum And Masons
The Royal Blend is a flawless combination of quality pekoe tea leaves from Sri Lanka, and Assam leaves from India that brings a traditional yet invigorating cuppa for tea lovers. This unique blend from Fortnum and Masons was first created and served in 1902 for King Edward VII and has remained popular in the United Kingdom ever since.
The tea is distinct in a good way, as the light and floral features of the pekoe leaves offsets the stronger and maltier Assam. When brewed, it emits an aroma that resembles clover, a fine smokey and woody flavor, and honey-like sweetness that intensifies as the tea gets colder. This cuppa is firm but comforting. It comes in tea bags or loose leaves, the latter showcasing an aesthetically-designed caddy fit for royalty.
- Royal Blend
- 250g Loose English Tea in a Gift Tin Caddy
5. Clipper
Having a relaxing drink to aid a good night’s sleep will make you feel like royalty even after you hit the snooze button. Clipper’s unique infusion, Snore and Peace, is ideal after a hard day’s work, as the elegant floral flavor of chamomile and lavender embraces you with every sip.
The tea’s lemon balm brings a refreshing zing to brighten the drink and synergizes with the tea’s other herbs, such as fennel seeds and rosehip, to give the cuppa an extra tarty flavor. Clipper is the United Kingdom’s first and the world’s biggest Fairtrade tea brand. Buying their cuppa not only makes you feel like royalty, but the partner farmers, pickers, and their families as well!
- Organic Snore and Peace Herbal Tea
- USDA Organic
- Non-GMO
- Caffeine Free Tea
- 1 Pack
- 20 Unbleached Tea Bags
6. Whittard Of Chelsea
Whitthard of Chelsea’s Jasmine Green Tea imparts “calm after the storm” feeling to their fans. Their dried jasmine loose leaves are sourced straight from remote tea gardens in southern China to ensure their quality and freshness.
As you might expect, the jasmine aroma is light but fragrant from the moment you open its alluring caddy until you brew the leaves. It is lightly sweet with vegetal and subtle floral notes and contains around 31 mg of caffeine, making it an acceptable cuppa to drink at night, preferably after dinner, as a palate cleanser. It is a perfect soothing drink if you are a bit stressed out from work.
7. Tetley
Feeling like royalty doesn’t mean you have to splurge. Thankfully, Tetley’s Blend of Both offers the best of both worlds as this economical blend combines the full-bodied flavor of black tea and the brightness of green tea.
Although black tea is the main component of this cuppa at 72% compared to the green tea’s 28%, the maltiness of it is effectively tampered down by the green tea’s grassy flavor that makes it creamier and surprisingly refreshing. If you are hesitant to try green tea due to its vegetal flavor, this is a gateway cuppa you can try! This works best with a splash of milk or honey, although it tastes wonderful on its own.
8. ATTIC Teas
The acronym means “All The Teas In China,” and the brand offers a list of teas that will specifically cater to your needs. But to feel like royalty, the people around you should know how amazing you are even during the laziest time of the day, and you will need a pick-me-up cuppa for that. ATTIC Teas’ Focus Tea provides just that.
This recharging beverage is made from oolong tea mixed with spearmint lemon balm to nudge you up and ginseng to improve mental alertness. The cuppa is soothing, and the ginseng’s bitter flavor is surprisingly tolerable so expect a smooth tea-drinking experience.
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