There is nothing more traditional than English Breakfast tea and I must admit whatever the time of day it’s my favourite blend. It is full bodied, robust and goes nicely with milk and sugar, no wonder it is one of the UK’s most popular choices.

English Breakfast is a traditional blend of teas originating from Assam, Ceylon and Kenya. However if we believe tea folklore then it should to be known as Scottish Breakfast, as the famous Scottish Tea Master Drysdale supposedly developed it, over 100 years ago in Edinburgh. Known originally as Breakfast Tea, it became popular as a result of Queen Victoria, who having tasted it during a stay at Balmoral Castle and brought a personal supply back to London. The fashionable tea shops of the time realised its potential and decided to rename and sell it as English Breakfast Tea.

The black teas included in the blend vary, with Assam, Ceylon and Kenyan teas predominating, and Keemun sometimes included in more expensive blends.

Many of you will have tried English breakfast tea of course, but in case you haven’t or it’s been a while, here are our recommendations:

Everyday:

Twinings English Breakfast (50 bags £2.60)

Clipper Fairtrade Organic English Breakfast Tea (40 bags £2.39)

Now and again:

Tea Pigs English Breakfast Tea (15 bags £3.49)

Steenbergs Organic English Breakfast tea in caddy (125g £5.50)

Special treat:

Imperial Lincoln Tea Superior English Breakfast caddy (100g £8.00)

Williamson’s James: English Breakfast tea Elephant caddy (100g £8.90)