Morning tea, a flavourful start to the day

What is a morning tea?

A morning tea is traditionally a full-bodied black tea, chosen for its character and natural caffeine, offering a gentle but energising start to the day. The most iconic of all is English Breakfast, a robust, malty blend crafted to complement breakfast, whether enjoyed plain or with a splash of milk. Alongside it, the great Assam teas from India, Ceylon from Sri Lanka, and the bergamot-scented Earl Grey form a whole family of invigorating, comforting teas.

What makes a great morning tea is its balance between strength and smoothness: an amber liquor, malty or woody notes, and just enough vitality to set the day in motion. Served hot, softened with a little milk or honey if you like, it becomes a morning ritual you'll always want to return to.

How to choose your morning tea?

It all comes down to intensity and mood. For a full-bodied cup in the classic breakfast style, an English Breakfast or an Assam are the perfect choice, especially with a splash of milk. Ceylon will appeal to those who enjoy a brighter, more aromatic cup, while Keemun, more delicate and lightly smoky, suits those who prefer a gentler start to the day. And for a touch of bergamot elegance, Earl Grey remains a timeless morning classic.

How to brew a morning tea?

Black morning teas are best prepared with water at around 90 to 95 degrees, steeped for three to five minutes depending on how strong you like it. The longer the steep, the fuller the cup. Enjoy it plain to let the aromas shine, or in the English style with a dash of milk and, if you like, a hint of sugar or honey. For a caffeine-free start to the day, explore our caffeine-free morning tea, an invigorating herbal infusion.

Tea or coffee in the morning?

Morning tea is winning over more and more people looking for an alternative to coffee: a warm, reviving drink whose caffeine releases more gradually for a smoother, steadier awakening. And for a little variety, there is nothing stopping you from beginning the day with something greener: a bold green tea or a whisked matcha can give you just as much of a morning energy boost.

Frequently asked questions about morning tea

What is a morning tea?
A morning tea is a full-bodied black tea, rich in caffeine, chosen to ease you into the day alongside breakfast. English Breakfast, Assam, Ceylon and Earl Grey are the great classics, enjoyed plain or with milk.

What is the best tea for breakfast?
English Breakfast is the timeless choice: malty, robust and perfect with milk. Assam and Ceylon also make wonderful morning cups, with varying levels of body to suit every taste.

What is English Breakfast tea?
English Breakfast is a blend of robust black teas, typically based on Assam and Ceylon, crafted to produce a full-bodied cup that pairs beautifully with milk. The quintessential breakfast tea.

Can you drink morning tea with milk?
Absolutely, and for full-bodied teas like English Breakfast or Assam, it is very much the tradition. Milk softens the astringency and adds a pleasing, rounded richness to the cup.

Our selection of morning teas

For an energising start to the day, few things compare to our English Breakfast black tea, malty and generous, perfectly suited to the breakfast table. Those who like a bolder cup will gravitate towards our Indian Assam teas, such as the Assam GFBOP Sewpur or the grand Assam SFTGFOP1 Tonganagaon, both rich and well-rounded. The Ceylon OP Venture brings a bright, fragrant liveliness, while the Keemun offers delicate, lightly smoky refinement. For a wider journey, explore our pure black teas from further afield: the Golden Yunnan from China with its smooth cocoa notes, the full-bodied Laokhowa ideal for waking up, the OP Jinjing from Hunan, or the Rwanda Rukeri with its woody African character.

Among the great classics, Earl Grey, Blue Earl Grey with its cornflower petals, and its bolder cousin the Russian Earl Grey bring their distinctive citrus notes to the morning cup. Find all these teas within our black teas and flavoured teas collections, and explore our dedicated Earl Grey range.