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All Things Tea | How Many of These Favourites Have You Tried?
The year was 1657…
A young man named Thomas Garway woke up one morning, kissed his sleeping wife, and got ready to face the day. He had something big on his mind. Something ambitious.
He was about to introduce something entirely novel to the London scene.
He was nervous. A little worried. What if his gamble didn’t pay off?
After smoking his morning tobacco and leaving his untouched breakfast, he put his best foot forward and threw open the doors to his coffee house.
You see, Thomas had something very special on the menu that day.
Something exotic. Something health enhancing. Something that would sooth and stimulate at the same time.
At first people weren’t sure about this new drink. They were used to coffee, rich and robust. What was this strange new mixture of leaves and water?
But Thomas was undeterred.
He even wrote a pamphlet to tell as many people as possible about this new wonder drink.
And it worked.
Pretty soon his customers were lapping up the delicious, new beverage. And by 1659 Tea, or Tee as it was known at the time, was being enjoyed in coffee houses across London.
But that wasn’t the end of the story.
You probably already know that tea was originally something only wealthy people could afford. With taxes of 119%, working people in Britain couldn’t get their hands on it.
At first.
Because we didn’t give up that easily.
The demand for tea was so great that pretty soon it was being smuggled into Britain illegally. Such was our love of this delicious drink.
By 1784 the illegal tea trade was booming, meaning lots of lost taxes for the government. So the British Parliament did the only sensible thing and slashed taxes to 12.5%. Making tea more accessible for everyone.
And here we are, almost 400 years later.
The Brits’ love affair with tea is something we’re known for across the world. Britain is even sometimes described as The Land of Tea.
So, to celebrate this delicious drink, we thought we’d put together this list of some of the most popular teas enjoyed in Britain today.
So grab a cup of your favourite brew. Sit back, relax, and dive in.
10. The Earl, The Empress and the Lady
This one needs little introduction.
A favourite of our late Queen and a staple of afternoon tea in all corners of the land. Maybe this delicious infusion is one of your favourites too.
Please be upstanding for Earl Grey.
A black tea originally crafted in Northumberland for Lord Charles Grey. Legend has it that this delectable brew was originally made to cover up a problem with the water.
You see, at the time Northumberland water was full of lime. So Bergamot oil was used to coat the tea leaves to cover up the taste.
And lucky for us.
Because over time we’ve come to love the delicate, floral aroma. And Earl Grey is now one of the most popular teas in Britain.
But, which is your favourite?
When Twinings started marketing Earl Grey across Europe in the 1900s, some found Earl Grey too strong in flavour. So Twinings added lemon and orange peel, and behold, Lady Grey was born.
Similar in flavour to the Earl but a little milder and with a stronger burst of citrus.
And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s Empress Grey which is lighter on the tea taste and even stronger on the lemon.
So whether you prefer a robust floral infusion, or something a little more zesty for your afternoon tea. The Grey family have got you covered.
Best served steeped in hot water, just below boiling point for 2-5 minutes.
And served in a fine bone china cup.
We think so anyway.
9. Lapsang Souchong
Your first cup of Lapsang Souchong is an experience like no other.
Brewed from black tea leaves that have been smoke dried over a pinewood fire.
An extremely strong tasting tea, some find this one a little overpowering. But for those who have become accustomed to the taste, they can’t get enough of the smoky notes.
The woody aroma comes first, before you get the intense hit on your tongue. Your first sip conjures the image of a bonfire. You can almost hear the crackling flames as the woody, smoky blend envelops your tastebuds.
Once steeped in water it comes with a reddish colour, and has a clean and sweet aftertaste.
Such a bold flavour, you’ll either love it or hate it.
Personally, we love it.
8. White Tea
And now for the opposite.
Perhaps one of the most subtle but delicious teas on the market.
Mild, creamy, and refreshing.
Please put your hands together for White Tea.
Made from the youngest leaves and bud on the Camellia Sinensis plant. What’s special about white tea is that it’s minimally processed and bursting with goodness.
High in caffeine for stimulation, and Theanine for calm, this tea will wake you up while bringing stress down.
A calm buzz, if you will.
And it’s so mellow it tastes almost milky.
There are many variations on the market. Our favourite is Joe’s Co. Whiter than White. Mild, creamy and delicate.
7. Rooibos
Okay, so this one isn’t actually tea in the traditional sense.
Unlike the other teas on our list, Rooibos comes from a shrub so it’s actually a herbal infusion.
But we love it so we included it.
Also known as Red Tea and Red Bush Tea. Rooibos has an earthy, smooth flavour with nutty and sweet undertones.
You can even get variations with vanilla which quite frankly, taste like dessert in a cup.
And because it’s caffeine free it won’t keep you up at night, so it’s the perfect bedtime companion.
It also contains two particular polyphenols that halt production of stress hormones.
Not bad for a shrub.
And a wonderful addition to your daily routine.
6. Jasmine Green Tea
No doubt you’ve heard of green tea.
You’ve probably tried it. You may even have a stash in your kitchen right now.
But what about this exquisite variation?
Jasmine Green.
This wonderful beverage is made by rolling the leaves from the tea plant with jasmine blossoms. Resulting in a sensual burst of the freshest green with the lushest, floral notes.
All at once rich, exotic and wild.
And because Green Tea is one of the least processed teas, and is extremely high in polyphenols, it’s considered the healthiest tea in the world. So you’re also taking care of your health with each sip.
You can even get it with rose petals. Oh. My.
But don’t mess around with low quality variations. With this one you absolutely cannot compromise on quality.
We like Joe’s Tea Co. but there are many out there. Always look out for the freshest tea, ideally loose or in a lovely pyramid bag.
5. Popcorn Tea
Yes, you read that right!
But before you rush out and buy a box for your next movie night, it doesn’t taste like actual popcorn.
It’s better.
Popcorn tea is made from green tea leaves, with kernels of toasted rice added to the mix.
Giving it an earthy, nutty flavour.
Also known as Genmaicha which means Brown Rice Tea. Imagine if Green Tea and Lapsong Souchong had a love child, it would taste like Popcorn tea.
But why? I hear you ask.
Well, back in the day, Japanese farmers used to add toasted rice to their tea supplies to make them last longer.
And now we get to enjoy it as a buttery delicacy. All the benefits of green tea with a toasty twist.
So if you haven’t tried this unusual concoction, add it to your list.
Now. No really.
4. Oolong
Neither black, green nor white, Oolong is its own speciality.
If Green is at the lighter end of the tea spectrum, and black the richer, Oolong falls somewhere in the middle. Meaning that Oolong drinkers enjoy the fresh, sweet sensation normally associated with green tea, mingled with the rich, deeper flavour of black tea.
Like vanilla ice cream mixed with dark chocolate.
Or an Oreo cookie.
Oolong boasts the same health benefits and calming buzz you get from other teas, but some studies show that it lowers blood sugar and helps combat obesity.
Perfect with a crumbly, buttery biscuit on a Spring day.
So if you’re looking for something a little more alluring to add to your morning routine, we’d suggest giving Oolong a try.
It might even become your new favourite.
3. Chai
We’re really getting down to the strong contenders now.
Native to India and originally hailed as a healing Ayurvedic drink, Chai is a powerhouse of bold flavours and spices. Black tea infused with a heady mix of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. It’s an exotic taste sensation.
Chai can be enjoyed in so many ways.
Served up with creamy, hot milk and a sprinkling of cinnamon.
Mixed with some iced milk and a touch of sugar for a Chai Latte.
Or perhaps, the simplest of luxuries, loose leaves steeped in water just off the boil.
Say hello to your day with a cup of Chai.
With its deep, rich aroma, and bouquet of spices, Chai will light up your senses
2. Darjeeling
Light. Musky. Smooth and Sweet.
Plucked from tea plants at the foot of the Himalayas. Darjeeling’s leaves have thrived in light soil, surrounded by crystal clear air, and nurtured with steady rainfall.
No other tea compares.
Made from the Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, also known as the tips of the Tea Plant. This is tea at its highest quality. An exquisite black tea with a musky taste and fruity undertones.
You’ll be transported to another world when you take your first sumptuous sip. Best enjoyed with your eyes closed, we think.
Darjeeling really is the finest of the finest.
So if you want luxury in a cup, this one’s for you.
1. The ultimate cuppa.
You made it!
Having scaled the list of bounteous beverages, here we are at number 1.
The one you’ve been waiting for.
The one that beats all others to the punch.
The one that gets Britain up and running in the morning.
Drum roll please…
Yep, you guessed it.
Number one on our list is English Breakfast.
Often a blend of black tea from Assam, Ceylon and Kenya. This full bodied tea has a strong, rich flavour with malty, bitter undertones.
Used by millions of Brits to start the day.
It’ll wake up your tastebuds and your noggin.
At Tea Darling, it’s also our ultimate favourite. We like to enjoy it with a slice of Victoria Sponge in our vintage tea room.
How many have you tried?
So there you have it.
Our selection of favourites. Ten of the most popular types of tea enjoyed across Britain.
So, whether you’re having family and friends over and you want to spruce up your menu, or you’re just looking to add a little luxury to your day with a new brew. Look no further.
Tea for all occasions.
Thomas Garway would be blown over by how far we’ve come.
Did we say 10% discount?
If this has aroused your senses or piqued your curiosity, why not pop over to our vintage team room to sample some tea from our wide ranging menu?
We have many of your favourites as well as a few surprises (Chocca-Roo-Brew anyone?
And if you loved this, keep an eye out for our next instalment of All Things Tea.
Why not sign up and get our blog straight to your inbox once a month? Along with recipe ideas, giveaways and a roundup of our events.
And that’s not all.
Right now we’re giving you 10% off your first visit to Tea Darling. All you have to do is send us your email address.
But hurry, we’ve only got so many of these to give away!
So, ping us over your email address and get ready for the goodies.
See you soon x
