English v. Irish breakfast tea

[Fat Guy]

So what's the difference? I have a couple of specimens of each here and mostly it just seems like the Irish breakfast is stronger. Is there an official position?

[baroness]

Irish breakfast tends to be maltier.

[jsmeeker]

Good question. I don't really know other than knowing they are just blends of black teas. In my limited experience, I think the Irish is "stronger".

[Joe Blowe]

English is usually Assam blended with other black teas (Ceylon, Kenyan, etc.). I believe Irish is predominantly, or sometimes solely, Assam.

[Beebs]

Traditional English Breakfast should have keemun (China black tea) plus other stuff, usually ceylon.

I find Irish Breakfast stronger, more full-bodied and almost savoury, because of the Assam.

[andiesenji]

According to Irish friends and family, Bewley's "A unique blend of Assam and Darjeeling teas with a creamy, malty flavor,"is one of the most popular teas in their part of Ireland.

It certainly is a favorite with my cousins who live in Navan, County Meath.

They like a strong tea but without bitterness.

This is a blend of Assam and Darjeeling, 100% Indian teas.

This particular brand sells several teas that are blended according to the time they will be served and, assuming they are fresh, there is a distinct difference in the teas.

Others are "Dublin Morning" - "Irish Afternoon Tea" - "Gold Blend" &etc.

I have tried many teas labeled as "Irish Breakfast" and as you have noted there is not much difference between them and other bagged teas.

Twinings IB tea is a blend of Ceylon and Assam

Barry's IB tea is a blend of Kenyan and Assam

Lyon's Original Blend (touted as the top selling bag tea in Ireland) is a blend of Ceylon, Kenyan, Assam and Java teas.

Those are all Irish or English tea companies.

Several companies here market IB blends - the only one I have tried is that from The Republic of Tea "Lucky Irish Breakfast Pot of Gold Tea" and it is quite good and distinct from the same company's "British Breakfast Tea" and I like them both.

With both of these, if you are using a standard size mug, you can use the bags for a second cup, jut leave it to steep longer. If using a jumbo mug, as I do, one steeping is about the limit. (My mug is 15 ounces.)

I haven't purchased these particular blends from other U.S. companies. I did get a sample of the IB blend from Adagio but I really don't recall tasting it, although one of my friends, who recommended it to me, thinks it is terrific.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've had an "Irish Breakfast" that's kind of smokey, like it has some Lapsang Souchong in it.

[Yajna Patni]

I have been led to understand that Irish Breakfast is Assam and English Keemun and others. I grew up mostly in Dublin and it was just tea. At home we drank Bewley's as Andi mentions, or Barrys. Here the Barry's is called Irish breakfast, at home it is just tea.

[andiesenji]

Ten or twelve years ago, a friend on a sabbatical in Ireland, sent me this huge tin of Blarney Tea bags, apparently no longer marketed. The 80 tea bags are long gone but it is a great tea caddy, about three times the size of most. 7" tall, by 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 with a good tight hinged lid.

Also very decorative.

I have a little note from back then that it was very good tea, especially nice with milk and sugar.

The vignettes around the tin have little notes at the bottom:

Grace and Eloquence in the age of Shakespeare.

Grace and Eloquence in the age of Swift

Grace and Eloquence in the age of Dickens

Grace and Eloquence Today

I wish it was still available.

Edited May 11, 2011 by andiesenji (log)