Irish Breakfast tea is a full-bodied, brisk, malty brew. It is a blend of several black teas: most often Assam teas and, less often, other types of black tea. At one time there must have been a decided preference for Assam teas in Ireland but, according to James Norwood Pratt's New Tea Lover's Treasury, no one seems to know why.

Some of the brands of Irish Breakfast tea include Barry's, Bewley's, Republic of Tea, Twinings, Taylors of Harrogate, Stash Tea Company, Fortnum and Mason, Mark T. Wendell, Harney & Sons, and Upton Tea Imports. All of these and many other companies create their own blends of Irish Breakfast tea.

In Ireland, it is not referred to as "Irish Breakfast tea", but simply as "tea". It is enjoyed throughout the day and evening. The Irish brands, such as Lyons and Barry's, are heavily weighted toward Assam.

Most commonly, Irish Breakfast tea is drunk with milk, but some prefer to drink it straight or with lemon.

See also

• Full Breakfast
• English Breakfast tea

References

• James Norwood Pratt. New Tea Lover's Treasury (Publishing Technology Associates, 1999)