Enjoy the Best Irish Teas

When you think of the countries that drink the most tea, China, Japan, Korea…even the United Kingdom come to mind. But it is actually the Irish who drink the most tea. About three quarters of all Irish people drink at least four to six cups of tea every day of their lives.

For a start, they have a cup or two with breakfast. At around 11 in the morning they have…you guessed it…elevenses, which consists of tea and scones or biscuits, which are really cookies. This keeps them going until lunchtime and the next cup of tea. Between 3 and 5 PM it is time for afternoon tea, which is again accompanied by something light and sweet.

Depending on which part of Ireland you live in the next meal is called supper or dinner, or even high tea, and takes place around 6 in the evening. At this meal you would have your meat or fish, fruit, cheese and bread.

Oh yes, and tea. Tea is taken with cream, milk, or flavored creams, as well as powdered chocolate, cinnamon, and even ground nuts.

The Irish are very fussy about how they brew their tea. They prefer to use earthenware pots; something like Irish Belleek, which is a handmade china. This pot needs to be warmed before you add the tea and boiling water. The water needs to start out fresh and cold, and you must pour it into the teapot as soon as it comes to a boil That is their big secret to a perfect brew.

You measure a heaping teaspoon per cup of tea and an extra one for good measure. The tea leaves should steep anywhere from three to five minutes, but no longer. If you take milk, it is put in the cup and the tea poured over it. Add sugar to taste.

Lyons Tea has been around since 1902, and is considered the best tea in Ireland. This Irish tea is imported from Indonesia, and Kenya. Next you will find Barry’s Tea.

It was actually started a year or so before Lyons, but is a slightly less popular East African blend.

Another popular brand is Bewley’s, which imports its tea from China. They (Bewley and his son) are noted for breaking the monopoly that had been long held by the East India Company. Today they also sell coffee.

The Irish breakfast teas are a blend of Assam or other black teas. In addition to Barry’s and Bewley’s, there are several other good breakfast teas. Republic of Tea, Tetley, Nambarrie, Twinings, Punjana, Taylors of Harrogate, Fortnum Mason, Mark T. Wendell, and several others, who all have their own.

Irish teas are very strong, which is why most people add plenty of milk and sugar to their cup. As in the States, there are also people who use lemon and/or sugar.