What is English Breakfast Tea?
English Breakfast tea, sometimes called just "breakfast tea," is a black tea blend that originated in England in the late 19th century. It gets its name from traditionally being drunk with breakfast in Britain.
The main ingredients in English Breakfast tea are typically a blend of black teas from Assam, Ceylon and Kenya. Assams are full-bodied and malty, Ceylons are bright and brisk, while Kenyans add a touch of sweetness. When blended just right, they create the perfect cup of tea to enjoy with your morning meal or whenever you need an energizing pick-me-up.
Compared to other teas like green tea, white tea or herbal tisanes, English Breakfast tea has a powerful, bolder flavour profile due to the caffeine and antioxidants from the fermented black tea leaves. It has brisk notes of caramel and earthiness with a richness and intensity that can satisfy even the biggest tea aficionados.
At Lifeblend Teas - our English Breakfast Premium Loose Leaf Tea is expertly sourced and blended precisely to deliver the ideal cup. With ingredients like organic black teas from Sri Lanka and India, each sip provides the robust yet soothing experience you expect from a proper English breakfast tea.
Health Benefits of Drinking English Breakfast Tea
Now that we've covered what is English breakfast tea, let's delve into the specific health benefits this beloved morning beverage provides:
- Boosts Energy Levels: English breakfast tea contains caffeine, which can help boost your energy in the morning to make you feel more alert and productive. It contains about half the caffeine of a typical cup of coffee, so it energizes without the potential jitters.
- Contains Antioxidants: Black tea, like English breakfast tea, is full of antioxidants, especially theaflavins and thearubigins. These antioxidants can help reduce body inflammation, protect cells from damage, and promote overall health and well-being.
- Supports Heart Health: Antioxidants and other bioactive compounds in tea may help reduce the bad LDL cholesterol levels and prevent blood clots. This supports heart health and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Promotes Weight Loss: The caffeine in tea can boost metabolism slightly, and the bioactive compounds may enhance fat oxidation. Drinking tea has been associated with a reduced risk of weight gain over time and improved weight control.
- Protects Against Various Cancers: Antioxidants in tea have cancer-preventative properties. Several studies link black tea consumption to a reduced risk of cancers like prostate, colorectal, breast and skin cancers.
- Controls Diabetes: Studies suggest tea may help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. This supports diabetes patients and those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Strengthens Bones: Tea is a source of various nutrients crucial for bone health, like manganese. According to research, drinking tea regularly over time may lower the risk of osteoporosis development.
- Reduces Risk of Stroke: The polyphenols in tea, like EGCG, are vasodilators that help improve blood flow; this reduces hypertension and the risk of stroke.
- Freshens Breath: Sipping hot tea gives bacteria-causing bad breath no place to hide. The antimicrobial properties in tea also help reduce oral bacteria overall.
- Hydrates the Body: Though not as hydrating as water, tea still contains water and hydrating properties to support overall health and help replace fluids lost through activity. Black tea is a healthier alternative to sodas and other sugar-filled drinks.
- Relieves Stress: L-theanine is an amino acid in tea leaves that crosses the blood-brain barrier and has relaxing properties without drowsiness. Studies show tea drinking can lower stress levels.
- Boosts Brain Function: Tea contains caffeine to stimulate the central nervous system and L-theanine to balance, a perfect combo for enhancing focus and learning ability and even protecting against age-related cognitive decline.
As you can see, English breakfast tea provides various benefits that make it an excellent addition to any wellness routine. The robust yet calming nature of breakfast tea ensures you'll start your mornings feeling nourished inside and out.
Enjoying English Breakfast Tea for Optimum Health
It is recommended to brew yourself a proper cup each morning and potentially another cup between meals throughout the day to reap all the benefits of English breakfast tea. When selecting your tea, be sure to look for high-quality loose-leaf options like Lifeblend Teas' English Breakfast Premium Loose Leaf Tea.
With experience sourcing and blending organic ingredients, Lifeblend Tea's English breakfast offering delivers bold flavours with all the polyphenols, caffeine and other nutrients to boost your health. Our loose leaf form also allows for proper steeping to extract the maximum concentration of antioxidants from each brew.
For the best cup of tea - bring filtered water to a boil in your kettle. Preheat your teapot or mug to warm it. Add one heaped teaspoon (2 grams) of loose-leaf tea per 6-8 ounces of water. Steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on your desired strength. Longer steeping provides fuller flavour extraction, while reducing steep time and helps retain antioxidants. Enjoy your nourishing English Breakfast Tea while it's hot!