English breakfast tea is the official name of the classic black tea which we Brits drink in abundance. Rich in flavour, refreshing and comforting, breakfast tea is a popular drink of choice for thousands of us.

It’s no wonder, then, that a whopping 78% of Brits name tea as one of their favourite drinks, according to a recent YouGov poll. But is classic English breakfast tea only for breakfast time, as its name suggests?

An All-Rounder

Breakfast tea, also known as black tea, comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Once it’s been dried, oxidised and processed, it’s then turned into a tea bag just waiting for some boiling water and a dash of milk.

Breakfast tea boasts a full-bodied yet delicate flavour that is favoured by many. It has long been enjoyed as a little pick-me-up for people when they feel sluggish, and it’s well-known as a comforting drink in times of stress, too.

Is it just for breakfast?

But there’s no need to save tea drinking for breakfast time only – it’s wonderful at any time of day. It’s the perfect accompaniment to your eleven o’clock snack, and it also has an important place as part of afternoon tea.

Nor is there any need to head to a restaurant for afternoon tea – why not order afternoon tea boxes delivered straight to your door, thanks to specialists such as https://www.afternoonteabox.com/?

True, a cup of tea with breakfast does give you a little bit of a boost to start the day, since it contains about 35 mg of caffeine – roughly half the amount of caffeine found in a cup of coffee. So if you find yourself hitting the snooze button, a cup of tea might be just the trick to get you going in the morning.

These days, though, decaffeinated teas are just as satisfying as the real deal. So if you fancy an early night with a good book, tea is the perfect choice of drink to take to bed, too.