English Breakfast Review

Type: Black
Origin: Vietnam and India's Assam region mixed with Ceylon
Price: Sample (regular price - $8.49 for 15 pyramids)
Vendor: Choice Organic Teas
Brewing Method: 1 pyramid, 1 cup of filtered water, heated to 200°F-210°F, steeped for 4-5 minutes.
Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5

English Breakfast is a delicate mix of organic black teas from Assam and Ceylon. When I inspected the dry leaves, I could smell the hearty Assam tea. The leaves were a mix of very small light brown and dark down bits. It did not look like there was any dust in the pyramid, but the leaves were quite tiny.

I could smell the malty Assam as the tea was brewing. The liquor was a very dark reddish-brown color. No wonder this blend is called English Breakfast - the aroma was very bold and hearty but also bright and cheery at the same time.

The taste will definitely wake you up. It was very bold and intense. The full bodied Assam with its hearty, malty taste was up front and then I was hit with its smokiness in the aftertaste. However, it is not as smoky as an Assam tea alone, so I think the Ceylon helps smooth it out.

The taste is not bitter at all. Although, if you wanted to add milk or sugar I think this tea would stand up well to either of them. It is not astringent, but refreshing, actually. The Ceylon tea probably plays a big role in caging the astringency because the smokiness of the Assam tends to dry out the mouth. Ceylon teas are one of my favorite black teas because of this refreshing factor.