Most Popular Tea In England – It’s A British Thing!

Most Popular Tea In England

Drinking tea is a part of British culture. It is so much more than a simple beverage of choice. Drinking tea is often the excuse to meet up with family and friends, the conduit for a good conversation, or the ice-breaker needed to create the right atmosphere for a much-needed heart-to-heart.

As most Brits believe there is no problem a great brew can’t solve, let’s explore in more detail the most consumed varieties and popular brands that help us put the world to rights!

Most Popular Tea Types And Sought-After Brands In The U.K.

All tea originates from the same plant known as Camellia Sinensis. Depending on the sort of leaves picked and the level of oxidation or processing it is then classified into tea types.

Black Tea

This is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. Black tea leaves are the most oxidized of all teas giving them a wonderful depth of flavor and generally a higher caffeine content than other teas. It provides several health benefits due to its powerful polyphenol content which helps to protect against the onset of several chronic diseases. It is believed that drinking black tea on a regular basis improves antioxidant potential thereby reducing inflammation and improving overall health.

Black tea should be steeped in water brought up to 90-95 degrees celsius. Brewing time is not an exact science as personal preference plays a big part. However, a general recommendation is 3-5mins to quickly produce a flavorful brew. Longer steeping times can make the tea bitter, we Brits often refer to this as being ‘stewed’.

Black tea comes either packaged as a loose-leaf or wrapped in an individual teabag. The convenience of the old-style bag is starting to be overlooked by some in favor of the more environmentally friendly loose-leaf, or the plastic-free teabag. It is made from more organic materials so both convenient and better for the environment.

Some people prefer their black tea just as it comes, others with something added such as lemon, milk, or sugar. Or possibly an alternative way to sweeten tea without sugar. But the difference doesn’t end there, the strength and color preference of a person’s preferred brew can be as varied as the colors on a wall paint chart.

Choosing the best tea brands is very subjective. However, three of the most highly ranked black tea products in recent UK surveys are:

1. PG Tips Biodegradable Pyramid Teabags

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make tea, then these particular teabags are specially designed to give the perfect blend of the finest black tea leaves. The pyramid bag is said to give the tea leaves more room to move thereby releasing more flavor.

2. Yorkshire Teabags

Yorkshire Tea is a blend of teas named after the place they were created. Complimentary flavors of individual teas are layered to achieve a more complex blend. This is a seriously refreshing proper brew.

3. Tetley Original Teabags

These hand-selected tea leaves from around the world are blended to guarantee the same great taste every time. They are full-flavored, refreshing, and smooth.

Green Tea

This is so much more than just a hydrating beverage. It is loaded with antioxidants and as a result, is said to be one of the healthiest drinks on the planet. It is made from unoxidized leaves and is one of the least processed types of tea. It is naturally low in calories and contains less caffeine than black tea and coffee.

The infusion is pale greenish-yellow in color. It has a refreshing, light, slightly grassy taste, which is very palatable and can be enjoyed on its own without any additives. However, it is important to buy good quality green tea, be mindful of your water temperature, and don’t steep for too long. Loose-leaf teas are of higher quality and tend to be less bitter than green teabags.

If your personal preference is to add in extra flavorings there are many tried and tested popular options including lemon, honey, cinnamon, ginger, and mint.

Matcha is a popular type of powdered green tea. It is made by grinding green tea leaves into a fine powder. As you consume the whole leaf you gain the most health benefits. Both regular brewed green tea and matcha contain caffeine, however, matcha appears to contain more. Good quality matcha is bright green in color and smooth. It should not taste bitter and there will be a slightly sweet aftertaste.

Some of the U.K’s most popular green tea brands include:

Twinings Pure Green Tea

This is a refreshing, earthy blend created by gentle sencha steaming and pan firing. It is full of character with a natural distinctive flavor.

Twinings Jasmine Green Tea

This blend of green tea is pure elegance. It has a smooth and floral taste that is both delicate and refreshing.

Pure Chimp Matcha Green Tea

This ceremonial grade matcha green tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants and tastes divine. Its lovely delicate flavor and health-giving properties make it a must-buy! The one with added Tumeric is a personal favorite and a green tea that I enjoy hot or cold.

Oolong Tea

These unique Chinese teas are partially oxidized which places them somewhere between black and green teas. The degree of oxidation determines a lighter or darker oolong. The flavor can vary widely from fruity and sweet to thick and woody, with complex aromas from honey-sweet to rich and roasted.

Although this tea may be less well known than green and black tea, in addition to caffeine it still contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, thus giving it the same purported health benefits.

Oolong can be a more expensive tea due to its lengthy process of preparation. This includes withering, bruising, oxidation, and curling-where leaves are finally rolled into the desired shape. The appearance, shape, and flavor of an oolong tea can vary wildly depending on the area where its grown and how it has been processed.

Because oolong tea is oxidized at varying levels depending on the processing technique, it’s difficult to identify a general optimal brewing temperature or steep time. Your oolong may come with specific recommendations for brewing which is ideal and it’s also worth noting that most oolongs are designed to steep multiple times. However, as a rough guide, a steep time for oolong can be anywhere between 1-5 minutes and optimal water temperature tends to range between 82 to 96 degrees centigrade.

Some of the most enjoyed oolong teas in the U.K:

Chinese Oolong Tea by Butterfly

This is an authentic Chinese oolong packaged in a convenient teabag with a tab and string. It has a rich yet mellow flavor.

Prince of Peace Oolong Tea

This is a natural oolong tea from Fujian, China. It combines the best qualities of black and green teas. It is also delightfully aromatic, with a mild flavor and a bright golden color.

Black Dragon Oolong Tea

This is a fine quality authentic Chinese oolong loose tea with a strong grain aftertaste and a sweet toasted aroma.

Earl Grey Tea

This tea falls into the category of flavored teas. These are any teas blended with various other plant products such as fruits, flowers, spices, etc. Numerous tea companies produce their own versions of Earl Grey tea. Traditionally it was made from black teas, however, other varieties have now been introduced such as green or oolong.

Earl Grey is one of the best-known tea blends on the market. In England, it is often associated with being quite a ‘posh’ drink. The tea is flavored with the oil of bergamot, giving it its unique flavor profile. However, ironically, the practice of adding bergamot was initially developed to disguise lower quality tea.

There are two methods used to flavor the black tea leaves in order to create Earl Grey tea. One is to coat or spray the tea leaves with bergamot essential oils. This is said to result in a stronger citrus flavor. The second way is to add dried bergamot orange rinds to the Earl Grey tea blend.

Steeping time for Earl Grey is usually around two to three minutes although some prefer it a little longer to enjoy the full citrus aroma. Traditional Earl Grey can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, black with a lemon slice, with sweetener and milk, or simply on its own.

Like other black teas, Earl Grey may provide similar health benefits and caffeine content. Additional benefits may also be found in the bergamot oil such as lowered cholesterol levels. However, on the other hand, moderation is also advised when drinking Earl Grey as there are possible side effects with high levels of bergamot including muscle spasms and cramps.

Some of the most popular Earl Grey Teas in the U.K:

Twinings Earl Grey Loose Tea

This unique blend of Chinese loose leaf black tea with bergamot flavoring is a full-on, fragrant Earl Grey experience. Its taste is light, delicate, and refreshing. Many loose leaf teas are hand picked which results in a much fresher taste.

Tick Tock Rooibos Earl Grey Tea (Naturally Caffeine Free)

This is a caffeine-free rich blend with bergamot. It’s bright, fragrant, and brimming with goodness. It can be enjoyed anytime and is delicious with or without milk.

Teapigs Darjeeling Earl Grey

This whole leaf tea is packaged into individual triangular-shaped bags, giving the leaves lots of room to infuse. This elegant brew is a lovely balance of exotic floral tones with a fresh citrus zing.

Herbal Teas (Tisanes)

Herbal teas are not strictly true teas at all. True teas are brewed from the Camellia sinensis plant and herbal teas are made from herbs, spices, dried fruits, or flowers. As a result, they come in a wide variety of tempting flavors and can offer a great alternative to your usual brew when you are looking for something a little different.

Some herbal teas can also offer health-promoting properties. Many have been around for centuries and have been used as natural healing remedies for a range of different ailments. In recent times, modern science is being to validate many of the traditional uses however, research is still limited. Moderation is advisable when consuming some herbal teas as they can have side effects and possibly trigger allergies in sensitive people.

Most herbal infusions don’t have caffeine, they are usually sugar-free and therefore offer a healthier alternative to sugary beverages. Each infusion also offers its own unique benefits, so they are a really tasty way to help you feel good and stay hydrated.

Most herbal teas can be brewed with boiling or nearly boiling water. Check individual packaging for any specific instructions as some herbal teas may need to be steeped for 10 minutes or more to get the best out of them, whilst others may only need a minute or two.

Some of the best herbal teas consumed in the U.K:

Pukka Night Time Organic Herbal Tea

This wonderful calming blend of night time tea is crafted with chamomile, lavender, and valerian to help ease you into sleep. Its floral flavors help you to unwind before naturally drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

Twinings Lemon & Ginger Teabags

This is a delightful infusion of lemon and ginger. It’s naturally invigorating with the warmth of spicy ginger blending expertly with the flavor of zest lemons. It’s an uplifting taste sensation in a cup.

Pukka Three Mint Organic Herbal Tea

This brew combines peppermint, spearmint, and fieldmint. It’s a cool yet sweet sensation that bursts on the tongue. Three Mint tea is a great way to refresh the palate and support good digestion.

Conclusion

When you think of tea, England may be the first thing that comes to mind. The country has a long history of enjoying the beverage, with popular offerings including Black, Green, Earl Grey, and Oolong. Half of all households in England drink tea daily, so it’s no surprise we have an extensive list of varieties. Not only do we enjoy a good cup of tea during a break but many of us see it as a staple drink to get us through the day!

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Most Popular Tea In England