Very dark and strong morning tea. I used the usual cream and sugar and enjoyed a scone with this one. I’m not familiar with Irish Breakfast teas, I normally drink English Breakfast blends but I thought this was a very good straight tea blend.
Irish Breakfast
Black Tea by The Metropolitan Tea Company
Tea Growing Countries: India, Kenya
Shipping Ports: Calcutta, Mombasa
Altitude At Which This Tea Was Grown: 6500 feet above sea level
Tea Manufacture Type: CTC (Cut, Torn & Curled)It may surprise you to learn that the people of Ireland drink more tea per capita than any other population on Earth. It’s true! In fact, your average Irish citizen drinks about 6 cups per day. What’s more, the cups that they drink are so strong that you could almost stand a spoon upright in them. Indeed, the Irish prefer what some might call a “sturdy” cup of tea. In order to provide the Irish with blends this strong, tea blenders supplying the market buy up top all of the top quality seasonal output from Assam and Kenya. The Assam teas are picked from the top production of the Second Flush, a period of high growth in the month of June. The Kenyans selected are usually those produced in either February or August when the most flavorful tea leaves are grown. The Assam component of this Irish blend gives the cup a strong, deep, malty character with heavy layers of astringency that dry the mouth, feeling almost as if you could chew the tea. (This is similar to the way a very dry wine can make you “pucker”.) The Kenyan teas provide a bright coppery color with profound floral notes that add a complex depth to the cup. If you’ve ever wondered what gives the Irish so much nervous energy, you’ve got your answer… It’s a strong blend!… You can enjoy this incomparable tea in the morning with toast or a traditional Irish “fry-up” or even as an “eye-opener” before a big night out on the town!
