Being in London, Oxford, and Paris two years ago sparked a new dalliance with tea on my part. Nothing can separate me from my coffee in the morning, but one can’t be a true Anglophile without a love for the cuppa, right? Here’s what I’m sipping these days.
1. English Breakfast Tea
English breakfast tea is a standard black tea blend that many describe as full-bodied, robust, and rich. I find it to be rather light for my taste, but it’s a good and serviceable tea for regular use. It doesn’t work as a replacement for coffee in the morning, but I do enjoy it for a mid-afternoon break in the action. The red telephone tin is a bonus.
2. Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey tea is a popular black tea blend flavored with Bergamot, a type of citrus. It has a generally mild, balanced taste, which I find to be more full-bodied than the English breakfast tea. It’s good for those “one-step-above standard” occasions, well suited for mid- to late-afternoon breaktime.
3. PG Tips Tea
PG Tips tea is the bomb on this tongue—a real treat for those who like it bold. It has the same effect as a good cup of coffee in the morning. I find it to be strong but not bitter, robust but not muddy. As one reviewer writes, “There’s not a lot of pretense in a cup of PG Tips, despite the fact that it inspired little prince George’s nickname, ‘Tips.’” I love this blend!
4. Celestial Seasonings Peppermint Herbal Tea
Readers of TNL will know of my affection for all things mint. The flavor and aroma of this blend are neither overpowering nor overly sweet. Rather, there’s just enough zest to delight the tongue and remind a person of the North Pole. It’s not quite Christmas in a cup, but it’s pleasant enough to remind us that Santa is still making his list and checking it twice.
5. Bigelow ‘I Love Lemon’ Tea
Bigelow ‘I Love Lemon’ tea is my current favorite—especially as the day is winding down and bedtime is right around the corner. There’s more than a hint of lemon in its flavor, and the blend is free from caffeine and artificial ingredients. While many view this particular brew as a kitchen staple, I find it to be a real comfort and delight. My lips enjoy sipping this one.
What’s your favorite tea?
Four out of the five are in my favorites as well. I will need to check out the “tips.”
I discovered that tea goes well with Mint Milanos! 🙂
Of course you did! 😁
Tea is an important part of my day. Even now, at 3 a.m. and insomnia taking charge of my night, a cup of tea helps. I have many flavors – little packs of favorite teas from various tea rooms, herbal, flavored. My mood generally dictates my choice of tea.
Current favorite flavors include:
Downton Abbey Mrs. Patmore’s Pudding Tea – currently in my cup.
Harney and Sons Hot Cinnamon Sunset (a.k.a. Hot Cinnamon Spice)
Earl Grey – I’m becoming more fond of it. I recently found a recipe for a London Fog and have
come up with my version of it.
In the Earl Grey Line – I also enjoy Lady Grey, and Winter White Earl Grey
Bar Harbor Tea Company’s New England Maple is delightful. Also enjoy their Wild Maine
Blueberry and Cape Cod Cranberry
Dollie’s Tea Room has a lovely Fire and Ice and Silver Bells.
A Tea Affair has Glitter and Gold
Well, that’s more than five, but there is just so much good tea out there!
Great to hear from you Cindy! And thanks for the recommendations. Some of these sound really good, and I need to expand my selections! Sorry to hear about the insomnia. 🙁 So glad you can punch in on Zoom from time to time! 🙂