The Best English Breakfast Tea You Can Buy Online

Breakfast teas are my most consumed teas. Therefore, I’ve tried a lot of different breakfast teas brands over the years. Although Irish Breakfast tea is my favourite of the 3 main breakfast teas, English Breakfast tea is most common. It is more mild compared to Irish Breakfast and Scottish Breakfast tea. However, not all English Breakfast teas are alike. In fact, they can vary quite a bit depending on the brand. But, when I think of a breakfast tea I think of something that is strong, full-bodied and takes well to milk if desired. After several tastings, I’ve narrowed down my list of the best English Breakfast tea available, loose leaf and tea bag options. 

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What is English Breakfast tea?

English Breakfast tea is a blend of black teas that create a bright and flavourful cup. This classic tea is the perfect companion for early mornings.

This tea blend can be enjoyed hot, iced or even as a cold brew. It’s often found on an afternoon tea menu, too.

Not all English Breakfast teas are equal. The ingredients in this black tea blend will vary. Therefore, the taste will differ depending on the brand.

Generally though, this tea can consist of Ceylon black tea, Assam black tea, Keemun black tea and a few others from India and China.

Today it is made with mostly Ceylon black tea and then Assam black tea.

Since English Breakfast tea blends will vary depending on the brand, it’s always best to sample a few to find what you like. The list of recommendations below will help you get started.

Is there caffeine in English Breakfast tea?

Yes! Since it is a blend of black teas there is caffeine.

In fact, it can be high in caffeine so keep that in mind if you are sensitive to caffeine. It’s best to drink this tea in the morning or early afternoon.

A standard cup of black tea commonly contains 35 to 50 milligrams of caffeine.

What’s the difference between English Breakfast tea, Irish Breakfast tea and Scottish Breakfast tea?

Out of the 3 main breakfast teas, English Breakfast tea is the lightest. It is also the more popular one.

Learn more about the breakfast tea differences here.

How to Make English Breakfast Tea

1: Warm your cup by adding hot water to it and then discarding.

2: Pour 8 ounces of freshly boiled water (100C or 212F) over 1 heaping teaspoon or 1 tea bag of your favourite English Breakfast tea in your warm cup.

3: Steep covered for 3-5 minutes. The steeping time may vary depending on the brand, so be sure to check the package and follow the guidelines there first.

4: Strain tea leaves or remove tea bag. Add sugar and/or milk, if desired. It’s always best to add milk after steeping, not before or during.

5: Take your first sip and enjoy!

Where to Find the Best English Breakfast Tea

Find both loose leaf and tea bag options below!

1. English Breakfast Black from Teabox

Teabox’s English Breakfast tea is sourced from Assam and whole leaf.

As I inhale the aroma from the long dark leaves I am reminded of raisins and the outdoors. It’s somewhat sweet and woody. 

The infusion offers a rich, bright cup that is naturally sweet with a warm, toastiness that lingers. Overall, it has a nice mouthfeel with no astringency. 

I like this English Breakfast blend best with a splash of milk. So, if you’re looking for a great one that will do well with milk, give this a try.

Available in loose leaf and tea bags.

Ingredients: Indian black tea

2. Organic English Breakfast Tea from Art of Tea

This traditional blend of English Breakfast tea is quite fragrant and the perfect strength for morning. 

Honey-like aroma with deep cocoa notes in the background. Smooth mouthfeel and classic bold flavour with a hint of natural sweetness that lingers.

I’ve always found this particular blend to be a bit forgiving, meaning there is little to no bitterness if oversteeped. 

Available in loose leaf and eco tea bag sachets. 

Ingredients: Organic Indian black tea

3. Organic English Breakfast Tea from Tea Leaves

Tea Leaves’ English Breakfast tea blend steeps a lovely copper infusion that is robust and slightly earthy. They describe it as a “biscuity” breakfast blend.

It is primarily Keemun black tea with a bit of Ceylon black tea. The malty flavour profile is delicious with a splash of milk but it can also be enjoyed without.

The teas in this certified organic blend are grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, and not GMO.

Available in loose leaf. There is a tea bag option but the ingredients are different so the flavour is not the same.

Ingredients: Organic Keemun black tea, Organic Ceylon black tea

4. Tielka Breakfast from Tielka Tea

This is Tielka’s award-winning signature black tea!

The aroma is somewhat floral and woody. You will fall in love with the beautiful golden amber colour after it steeps. The flavour is lively and malty with low astringency.  

The tea used here is grown and harvested in the high elevations of the Yunnan Province’s mountains during September-November.

I find this tea is best on its own. So, if you typically take your English Breakfast teas without milk, I definitely recommend sampling this one!

Available in pyramid tea bags and loose leaf. 

Ingredients: Dianhong black tea 

5. English Breakfast from Harney & Sons

Harney & Sons kept their English Breakfast tea blend simple. They say that the tea the English would drink regularly back in the 1800s would have been a black tea from China.

So, they wanted to honour that tradition and make their English Breakfast tea with Keemun black tea only. 

This medium-full bodied breakfast tea produces a dark brown liquor with a toasty aroma and a pleasant astringency. It’s straight to the point – strong and deep with a long finish.

Available in loose leaf, tea bags or sachets. 

Ingredients: Keemun black tea

6. English Breakfast from Twinings of London 

This is Twinings’ most popular tea! The copper infusion yields a brisk and hearty cup of tea. It hits the spot when I just want a quick cup in the morning.

I find that adding milk and a touch of sweetener to this particular English Breakfast tea blend helps round out all of the flavours.

I can’t recall exactly, but there is a good chance this was one of the first English Breakfast teas I’ve ever experienced, too!

Available in tea bags, k-cups and loose leaf.

Ingredients: Black tea from Malawi, Kenya and Assam

7. Organic English Breakfast from The Tea Spot

This English Breakfast tea blend is full-bodied and rich. It will awaken your taste buds!

The high-quality and organic full leaves yield a reddish-brown infusion and an overall well-balanced flavour profile.

Available in tea sachets and loose leaf. Sample size is an option as well, so you can taste and see if it’s the right blend for you before committing to a larger amount. 

Ingredients: Organic black tea from India & Sri Lanka

8. English Breakfast from Taylors of Harrogate

I have always found this tea from Taylors of Harrogate to be pretty reliable. Their traditional recipe of black teas will excite your senses!

Blended and packed in England, the infusion is bright, rich and refreshing. 

This is a sharp English Breakfast tea that can be served on its own, with milk or even fresh lemons. 

Available in tea bags.

Ingredients: Black teas from Africa and Sri Lanka

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Do you have a favourite English Breakfast tea brand? I would love to check it out so let me know in the comments!