A recent taste test of 18 black tea brands has crowned an unexpected winner, with a lesser-known variety surpassing popular household names like PG Tips, Twinings, and Yorkshire Tea. Food writer Tomé Morrissy-Swan conducted the blind comparison for the i newspaper, evaluating each tea brewed under controlled conditions: freshly drawn water, cooled slightly after boiling, steeped for four minutes, and tasted black without milk.
The Testing Method
Morrissy-Swan focused on English breakfast or 'Everyday' blends, which account for about 41% of Britain's tea consumption. Each tea was prepared identically to ensure fair comparison, allowing the natural flavours to shine through.
Surprising Results for Popular Brands
PG Tips, often considered the quintessential British black tea, performed poorly. Morrissy-Swan described it as an "unsubtle" brew with a "bitter and astringent" taste, awarding it a mere 2.5 out of 5 stars. Twinings English Breakfast Tea fared little better, characterised as "rather one-note, with a bitter astringency" and lacking strength. Tetley's Everyday teabags also ranked near the bottom, criticised for a harsh flavour that "falls a little flat" if you seek zingy or malty notes.
Yorkshire Tea and Duchy Organic
Yorkshire Tea, launched in 1977 and boasting famous fans like Russell Crowe and Patrick Stewart, received a lukewarm review. Morrissy-Swan called it "well-balanced, even if it's not quite spectacular." Duchy Organic Everyday Tea, priced at £3.50 for 100 bags, was deemed "nice, but not 'wow'" due to its mild blend.
The Winner: Clipper Organic English Breakfast Tea
The clear winner was Clipper's Organic and Fairtrade English Breakfast Tea, retailing at £2.80 for 40 bags. Morrissy-Swan praised its flavour as "well-rounded, a hint of lemon, a touch of toffee, a little bitterness, and the right astringency." Clipper teabags are widely available at major supermarkets including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Co-op, and Morrisons, as well as online via Amazon.
Health Note
The article also reminds readers that drinking tea without milk maximises health benefits, particularly for cardiovascular health and antioxidant absorption. Milk proteins can bind to beneficial compounds in tea, reducing their positive effects.
