The Origins of Irish Breakfast Tea
However, tea did not start off well in Ireland. It was introduced…
…in the mid-1700s, at the same time it was in England. Due to the high import prices, only the wealthy could afford it at first.
However, in 1835, Ireland’s relationship with tea was irrevocably altered. Samuel Bewley took matters into his own hands and imported tea from China directly to Ireland. This ended the monopoly on tea imports, resulting in significant savings on import fees.
Everyone in Ireland now has access to the world of tea. It also enabled them to import higher-quality tea. As a result, Irish Morning tea may be of higher quality than both English and Scottish breakfast teas.
What Is Irish Breakfast Tea?
Irish Breakfast tea is mostly Assam, but it may also contain Ceylon and/or Kenyan tea. It has a red color and a malty flavor, and it is stronger and bolder than English Breakfast Tea. In Ireland, this tea is traditionally drank strong with plenty of milk. It’s delicious with Wheat and Honey Scones, as well as Carrot Cake Scones.
Irish Breakfast Tea is a delectable combination of fragrant herbs brewed for 5 minutes in hot water. It’s typically eaten with toast, but it’s also delicious on its own, without bread or milk. This heated beverage is high in vitamins A and C, minerals including calcium, iron, and zinc, and antioxidants that support cardiovascular health and immune system performance. In fact, some say that drinking one cup every day can protect against heart disease.
So, What Is the Distinction Between English Breakfast Tea and Other Teas?
English Breakfast tea was originally a blend of China black teas. Today, it is often dominated by Ceylon tea, but it may also include Assam and/or Kenya tea. It is quite strong and robust, and it lends itself well to traditional preparation with milk and sugar. The Plum Deluxe House Blend is a delicious English Breakfast tea with creamy vanilla notes. It pairs well with Apricot Chocolate Chip Scones or the ever-comforting tea and toast combo.
How To Make A Traditional Cup of Irish Tea
- Fill a kettle halfway with water. Bring the water to a boil on the burner. If you’re going to serve tea from a teapot, heat some of the boiling water in the pot first, then discard.
- To the pot, add one teaspoon of new loose leaf tea for each additional person. Fill the teapot halfway with hot water from the kettle. Steep for 3–4 minutes (no more than 5!).
- Fill one-third of a teacup with milk or cream.
- Fill each cup or teapot halfway with the strong, hot Irish breakfast tea. If using loose leaf tea, filter the tea into the teacup holding the milk and sweeten to taste.
The Irish place a high importance on hospitality, local cuisine, and providing enough of it. A traditional tea may contain miniature sandwiches, scones with jam, cakes and other baked goodies, and copious amounts of Irish tea.
Benefits Of Making Your Own Irish Breakfast Tea At Home
There are several health benefits of preparing your own Irish breakfast tea at home:
- The most apparent advantage is that you save money on pre-made packets from supermarkets or coffee cafes. You may also regulate how powerful your brew is by altering the number of leaves used.
- When you prepare your own tea, you may pick the sort of tea bag you want to use, whether it’s an organic green leafy variety, a classic black tea bag, or something more exotic like chamomile blossoms.
- If you don’t want to add any sugar, simply leave out the sweetener. However, if you want to add a little additional sweetness, use 1 teaspoon of honey instead of 2 teaspoons. Because honey contains inherent antibacterial qualities, it will keep the tea fresher longer than granulated white sugar.
- Because loose tea bags do not need to be removed before brewing, they save time. When ready, just pour the appropriate amount of boiling water directly onto the tea bag.
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