English Vs. Irish Breakfast

After reading this discussion I was inspired to buy some Irish Breakfast to try it and liked it a lot. I like English Breakfast, too, but it can be a bit perfumey, which this Irish wasn’t.

The way I’ve described the two to people that seems to resonate with them is that Irish Breakfast is like Coca Cola whereas English Breakfast akin to Pepsi Cola.

irish breakfast is more robust and full bodied than english breakfast,and personally i find its better,especially with milk and honey

Irish is definitely the stronger, maltier one. I much prefer it to the English’s astringency. Irish I REALLY like double-strong, iced, with milk on a sunny day!

Here’s a history blurb as to why a difference between English and Irish teas even exists.

The story of English Breakfast and irish Breakfast teas is an interesting one. Ireland and England had very much the same flavor profile up until world war two. By profile I mean the way the way the teas are blended in their culture, English Tea and irish tea was very much the same.

When WWII broke out Ireland of course did not enter the war and as a result, was not allowed access to British ports. This of course meant that the irish no-longer had access to their only source of tea, England. So it would be at this time that ireland would seek out new sources of tea from the east. They looked to East Africa and india and over a few short years the Irish had a flavor profile of their own. It consisted more of black teas from East Africa than the British profile did.

I like the irish much more. It has a unique flavor the the English just does not have. Both are still good, it depends on how strong of a tea you want to drink at the time.

On a side note, has anyone else noticed a peculiar taste from British teas like PG tips, Yorkshire, Yorkshire gold? I think irish brands such as bewleys gold have a much better flavor. British teas taste like something was rotting under the plant.

I grew up drinking Ceylon-based English Breakfast teas with my grandmother, so I’m going to go against the grain and say that’s my favorite. I only recently discovered Irish Breakfast about 4 years ago. It is definitely stronger and maltier. Both are great teas, so I suggest trying each one and deciding for yourself what you like best.

I prefer Irish, but I have a little collection of breakfast teas. Several English, a couple Irish (my favorite is the Irish Breakfast Xtra Fancy from Red Leaf tea), a Scottish, a Canadian, and an Ontario! I think it’s a fad.

Irish breakfast any day

Hmm I’ve never really had a genuinely good quality Irish Breakfast, nor English Breakfast sadly… But I think I’d love both when I really need to wake up fast! :)

I do really want to create a blend with our genuinely good quality leaves – maybe mixing the milky chocolate like Yunnan with the malty smoky keemun and adding an Assam… Mmmm… :) Will let you know if we ever launch that! :P Yulia X