English Breakfast Tea

Name: English Breakfast Tea
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 teaspoon loose-leaf English breakfast tea or 2 tea bags; 2 cups of fresh and cold water; 2 tablespoons of milk

English Breakfast Tea is a popular blend of black tea that's rich, robust, and full of flavor.

British Cuisine

April 15, 2023

Difficulty Easy

Servings 2 people

Preparation 5 mins

Cooking 5 mins

Total 10 mins

Recipe Contents

Ingredients Directions Nutrition Equipments Tips

Ingredients

2 cups of fresh and cold water
2 tablespoons of milk
2 teaspoon loose-leaf English breakfast tea or 2 tea bags

Directions

Boil 2 cups of water in a kettle or on the stove.
Preheat the teapot by filling it with hot water. Then pour the water out.
Add 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf English breakfast tea or 2 tea bags to the teapot.
Pour the hot water over the tea leaves. Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on your personal taste. For a stronger cup of tea, steep for 5 minutes.
Remove the tea bags or strain out the loose-leaf tea using a tea strainer.
Pour the tea into cups.
Add milk and sugar to taste, if desired.
Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 English Breakfast Tea

Serves 2

Amount Per Serving

Calories8

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0.3 g0.4%

Cholesterol 1 mg0.3%

Sodium 14 mg0.6%

Protein 0.5 g1%

Potassium 11 mg0.2%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Tips

Use fresh, cold water. Start with fresh, cold water that has not been previously boiled. This will ensure that tea has a fresh and clean taste.
Choose a high-quality tea. British tea is usually black tea. Choose an English breakfast tea mix or a type of tea like Earl Grey or Darjeeling. Make sure to use fresh, loose-leaf tea for the best flavor.
Use the right temperature of water. English breakfast tea is best brewed with boiling water, which is around 212 °F (100 °C). Boil fresh water and let it cool for a minute before pouring it over the tea leaves. If the water is too hot, it can scorch the tea leaves and spoil the flavor. On the other hand, if the water is too cold, the tea may not infuse properly and may taste weak.
Brew it with boiling water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Then pour it over the tea. This will extract the maximum amount of flavor from the tea leaves.
Use the right amount of tea. Use one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea or one tea bag per cup of water. Adjust the amount of tea according to your taste.
Do not over steep. Steep the English tea for 3-5 minutes. Otherwise, this will make the tea taste bitter.
Use a ceramic or porcelain teapot to brew the tea. Avoid using metal or plastic teapots. Otherwise, this will affect the flavor of the tea.
Preheat the teapot. If you're using a teapot, preheat it with hot water before adding the tea. This will help to keep the water temperature steady.
Remove the tea leaves or tea bag once the tea has finished steeping, to prevent overbrewing.
You can use any type of milk. For more, check out our ‘Types of Milk’ article.
Add milk and sugar to taste. English breakfast tea is traditionally served with milk and sugar. Add a small amount of milk and sugar. Adjust the amount according to your taste.
You can add cold or hot milk to tea. If you want to add hot milk, you can heat it in a saucepan or in the microwave until it reaches your desired temperature. However, adding hot milk to tea can slightly change the taste and texture of the tea.

Rate This Recipe

Start your day the British way with a sip of bold and robust English breakfast tea. Put on the kettle, brew a cup of your favorite blend, and experience the timeless charm of English tea.

With its rich, robust taste and satisfying aroma, English tea is a classic favorite that has been enjoyed for centuries. Enjoy it in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Whether you take it with milk and sugar or prefer it plain.

Equipment for this recipe

Measuring Cup

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Teapot

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Kettle

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What Is English Breakfast Tea?

English breakfast tea is a strong blend of black tea that is commonly consumed in England and other parts of the United Kingdom. It is typically brewed using loose-leaf tea or tea bags in a teapot.

English breakfast tea has a robust, full-bodied flavor with a strong, malty taste and bitterness. It is usually served with milk and sugar.

English breakfast tea's caffeine content is high. Although it is an ideal choice for the morning, it can be enjoyed at any time of the day. English tea is often served with biscuits, scones, or cakes.

How Much Caffeine Is In English Breakfast Tea?

English breakfast tea is a black tea that naturally contains caffeine. The amount of caffeine can vary depending on the blend and brewing method. However, on average, a cup of English breakfast tea contains around 50-90 mg of caffeine.

Caffeine content can also be affected by the steeping time and temperature, with longer and hotter steeping resulting in higher caffeine levels.

What Is The Difference Between English Breakfast Tea And Regular Black Tea?

English breakfast tea is also typically stronger and fuller than regular black tea.
The main difference between English Breakfast Tea and regular black tea is the type of tea leaves used, which gives them different taste profiles and properties.

Additionally, English breakfast tea is traditionally served with milk and sugar, while regular black tea is usually enjoyed plain or with a slice of lemon.

How To Make the Best English Breakfast Tea at Home?

To make the best English breakfast tea at home,

Start with high-quality loose-leaf tea.
Boil fresh water in a kettle. Make sure to use fresh water to avoid a stale taste in tea.
Warm your teapot by filling it with hot water, then pouring the water out. This will help keep your tea hot while it steeps.
Add one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per cup of water to the teapot. If you prefer a stronger cup of tea, add an additional teaspoon of tea leaves.
Pour the hot water over the tea leaves and let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on your taste. For a stronger cup of tea, steep for 5 minutes.
Remove the tea leaves from the teapot using a tea strainer or pour the tea through a strainer as you pour it into the teacup.

What Type of Tea Is Best for English Tea?

When selecting tea for English tea, it's important to choose high-quality loose-leaf tea or tea bags that contain a blend of black teas from different regions. This will ensure that you get the rich, complex flavor that is characteristic of English tea.

What Type of Milk Is Best for English Tea?

The type of milk that is typically used in English tea is whole milk. Whole milk has a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor that complements the bold, robust flavor of black tea.

However, the choice of milk is a matter of personal preference. You can use skim milk or 2% milk. While you can also prefer to use non-dairy milk alternatives, such as almond milk or soy milk.

In general, the best type of milk for English tea is one that adds a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor without overpowering the taste of the tea.

How To Serve English Tea?

Enjoy this English tea type as breakfast or afternoon tea. Serve it with biscuits, cakes, or pastries for a sweet treat. It pairs well with savory breakfast foods like eggs, bacon, and toast.

Here are our delicious recipes that you can serve with English Breakfast Tea:

How To Store English Tea?

To ensure the quality and freshness of English tea, store it properly. Here are some tips for storing English tea:

Store English tea in an airtight container, such as a tea tin or glass jar with a lid.
Store it in a cool, dry, and airtight place away from light, heat, and moisture. Tea should be stored in a cool, dry place away from light and heat sources. The ideal temperature for storing tea is between 60- 80 °F (15-27 °C).
Don't store tea in the refrigerator or freezer, as the moisture and odors can affect the flavor of the tea.

Recipe byPetite Gourmets