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4.80 from 5 votes

English Breakfast Tea

How to make hot & iced English breakfast tea properly.
Prep Time2 minutes
Steep Time5 minutes
Total Time7 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: British
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Jee Choe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water + more to warm teapot
  • 1 ½ teaspoons English breakfast tea or 1 tea sachet
  • 2 teaspoons milk (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Instructions

  • Boil water.
    If using an electric kettle with temperature setting, set it to 208°F. Boil a little more water than needed so that it can be used to warm up the teapot. Filtered water is best.
  • Warm up teapot.
    Pour hot water into a teapot, halfway, and swirl it around a bit. Discard the water.
    Warming up the teapot is an extra step that all tea professionals take the time to do, so that when the tea steeps, the water temperature won't drop drastically.
  • Put English breakfast tea into the teapot and add hot water. Cover teapot and steep for 5 minutes.
  • Strain English breakfast tea leaves and pour hot tea into a teacup.
    Optional: Add milk and sugar.

Notes

How to Make Cold Brew English Breakfast Iced Tea

  1. Put English breakfast tea and cool or room temperature water in a pitcher or glass container. Cover pitcher and place in refrigerator for 12 hours. Stir to make sure tea leaves get dampened by the water and isn't sitting dry on top of the water surface. Use filtered water for a better tasting iced tea. 
  2. Strain English breakfast tea leaves and pour tea into a cup.
    Cold brewed tea is already chilled so adding ice is up to you. Optional: Add simple syrup and milk.

Brewing Guide

Hot English Breakfast Tea
  • TEA: 1 ½ teaspoons English breakfast tea or 1 tea sachet
  • WATER: 1 cup (8 oz.)
  • WATER TEMPERATURE: 208°F
  • STEEP TIME: 5 minutes
Cold Brew English Breakfast Iced Tea
  • TEA: 1 ½ teaspoons English breakfast tea or 1 tea sachet
  • WATER: 1 cup (8 oz.)
  • WATER TEMPERATURE: Cold water
  • STEEP TIME: 12 hours in the refrigerator

Tips

  • Use loose tea instead of tea bags for a better quality cup of tea.
  • For a stronger cup of English breakfast tea, add 1/2 teaspoon more of loose tea.
  • If you want to sweeten hot tea, you can use any kind of sweetener from sugar to date syrup, but for sweetening iced tea, always use simple syrup since it'll be the easiest to mix into a cold drink.
  • Since different English breakfast teas use slightly different blends, sample a few to find one you like best.
  • Always begin with fresh water in the kettle, since reboiling water changes the mineral composition of the water and affects the flavor of the tea.
  • English breakfast tea can be brewed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered or airtight glass container or pitcher.
  • Loose tea and tea sachets should be stored in an airtight container away from light, odors, humidity, and heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 22 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 16mg | Sugar: 5g | Calcium: 11mg