Breakfast Blends
Breakfast black tea is traditionally consumed in the morning. It blends various black teas from different regions, carefully selected and mixed to create a unique and bold flavor profile. Breakfast tea is a popular beverage, often accompanied by milk and sugar, making it a comforting and energizing drink.
History of Breakfast Tea
The origin of breakfast tea can be traced back to the 19th century, during the Victorian era in England. Tea was an important part of the daily routine then, and the English were known for their love of strong tea. However, tea drinkers were faced with a problem – the traditional Chinese teas that were available in the market were too delicate and mild to stand up to the robust flavors of breakfast foods like bacon and eggs.
To solve this problem, tea merchants started blending different types of black teas, such as Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas, to create a more robust and flavorful brew. These teas were specifically designed to be consumed with a hearty breakfast, and they quickly became popular with the English, who began to refer to them as breakfast teas.
Types of Breakfast Tea
Today, many different types of breakfast tea are available, each with its unique blend and flavor profile. Some of the most popular types of breakfast tea include:
English Breakfast Tea: Perhaps the most well-known and popular breakfast tea. It blends several black teas, including Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan. English Breakfast Tea is bold and strong, with a full-bodied flavor and a hint of bitterness.
Irish Breakfast Tea: This blend of several black teas, including Assam tea, gives it a robust and malty flavor. Irish Breakfast Tea is often more robust than English Breakfast Tea, making it a favorite of those who like a bold and hearty cup of tea.
Scottish Breakfast Tea: This tea blends Assam and Ceylon teas, emphasizing the Assam tea. Scottish Breakfast Tea is known for its bold and malty flavor, which makes it a perfect choice for a hearty breakfast.
Welsh Breakfast Tea: This blend of several black teas, including Darjeeling and Assam. Welsh Breakfast Tea has a smoother and more delicate flavor than other breakfast teas, making it a great choice for those who prefer a milder cup of tea.
Brewing Breakfast Tea
Brewing a perfect cup of breakfast tea is simple, but it requires some care and attention to get the best results. Here's how to brew a perfect cup of breakfast tea:
Start by boiling fresh water in a kettle. Use filtered water if possible, as it will produce a better-tasting cup of tea.
While boiling, add one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea or one tea bag per cup to a teapot or mug.
Pour the hot water over the tea leaves or tea bag and steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on your taste preferences.
Remove the tea leaves or tea bag and add milk and sugar, if desired.
Enjoy your delicious cup of breakfast tea!
- Md. Zain Uddin Mozumder
Assistant Manager, Sreemangal Upazila, Sylhet, Bangladesh