English breakfast tea, a robust and full-bodied blend, is cherished by tea enthusiasts around the world for its invigorating qualities. Known for its perfect harmony of strong flavors, it's an ideal morning companion to kickstart your day with gusto. Some brands have truly mastered the art of producing this staple, offering rich and aromatic blends that reflect the traditional essence of this beloved tea. To discover which brands stand out in delivering the quintessential English breakfast tea experience, explore the list below.
Illustration of english breakfast tea
Best brands of english breakfast tea in 2025
Twinings
Twinings is renowned as one of the best producers of English Breakfast tea, boasting a rich history of over 300 years and a significant market presence in the UK and globally. The brand has recently overtaken PG Tips as the UK's best-selling black tea brand, with a market share of 14.1% in the total tea market and a dominant 60% share in the specialty tea segment. Twinings' innovative products, such as its Superblends and Cold In'fuse teas, have contributed to a sales boost of $13 million (£10.5 million). The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has allowed it to maintain a strong global presence, available in over 100 countries. Twinings' traditional black teas, including its English Strong Breakfast, are crafted from leaves sourced from the best tea gardens in Assam, Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Taylors of Harrogate
Taylors of Harrogate, the parent company of Yorkshire Tea, is renowned for its high-quality English Breakfast Tea, boasting a strong and robust flavor. The brand has achieved significant market success, with Yorkshire Tea holding a record 36.7% share of the UK black tea market in 2023 and a 38.9% value share in the standard black tea category over the last 12 weeks. Taylors of Harrogate also maintains a leading position in the roast and ground coffee market with a 19.6% value share. The brand's commitment to quality and its effective marketing campaigns have been recognized with industry awards, including the Grand Prix at the Effies. Additionally, Taylors of Harrogate has been issued a Royal Warrant as the official supplier to the Prince of Wales.
Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason is renowned for its high-quality English Breakfast teas, with a rich history of over 300 years supplying tea to British royal houses, honored by numerous Royal Warrants of Appointment. Their teas, particularly the Royal Blend and Irish Breakfast, are praised for their strong, malty flavors and aromatic profiles, making them ideal for breakfast or morning tea. Despite the general decline in British tea consumption, Fortnum & Mason's loose-leaf varieties account for more than two-thirds of their tea sales, contributing to a 12% increase in sales and a 26% rise in profits in the year to July 2019. Their teas are blended and packed in the UK using imported tea from India, ensuring a classic and refreshing brew. The brand's commitment to quality and tradition has made it a staple in the luxury tea market.
Harney & Sons
Harney & Sons is renowned for its high-quality English Breakfast teas, tracing their heritage back to the 1800s with a focus on Chinese black tea, specifically 100% Keemun for their traditional English Breakfast blend. The company, founded in 1983, has successfully expanded its market, including a significant presence in England, where they increased their exports by almost 100% from 2009 to 2010. Harney & Sons has established legitimacy through partnerships with Historic Royal Palaces and the Dorchester Hotel, and their teas are known for their superior quality and unique packaging. Their English Breakfast teas are crafted to be full-bodied with hints of toast and honey, and they are brewed at 212°F for 4 to 5 minutes. The brand's commitment to quality and specialization has made it a standout in the tea industry. You can find more about their English Breakfast teas.
Ahmad Tea
Ahmad Tea is renowned as one of the best producers of English Breakfast tea, leveraging four generations of tea blending and tasting experience to offer exceptional quality. Established in 1986 by Mr. Rahim Afshar and his brothers, the company has expanded to supply teas to over 80 countries, with annual production exceeding 14 million kg. Each blend is sampled seven times to ensure consistency in flavor, aroma, and strength, a process overseen by world-leading tea masters. Ahmad Tea has collected 22 Great Taste Awards since 2015 and was named a Great Taste Producer in 2018, further solidifying its reputation. The company also holds the prestigious EcoVadis Gold rating, ranking among the top 3% of sustainable manufacturing companies worldwide.
Yorkshire Tea
Yorkshire Tea has solidified its position as the leading brand in the UK black tea market, achieving a record market share of 36.7% in 2023, according to the latest reports. This success is attributed to the brand's growing popularity and the company's operational efficiencies, which led to a 14% increase in revenues to £295.7m and a 20% rise in operating profits to £12.4m for the year ended 31 October 2023. The brand outperformed rivals such as Twinings, Tetley, and PG Tips, and its parent company, Bettys & Taylors, also saw significant growth in its coffee segment. Yorkshire Tea's market dominance is further highlighted by its 38.9% value share of the standard black tea category over the last 12 weeks. The brand's marketing campaigns, such as 'Where Everything's Done Proper' and 'Pack Yer Bags,' have been highly effective in maintaining its market leadership.
PG Tips
PG Tips, a long-standing favorite in the UK, was the highest-selling tea brand until 2019 when Twinings overtook it. Known for its robust and full-bodied English Breakfast tea, PG Tips has a strong market presence, although it faced a 7.2% decline in value to $122.7 million (PS98.7 million) in the 12 months ending in July 2019. Despite this, PG Tips remains popular, with 7.1 million users in 2018, and is recognized for its affordable and superior flavor profile. The brand has been part of Unilever's portfolio but was recently sold to CVC Capital as part of the ekaterra sale. PG Tips continues to engage customers through various marketing channels, including TV adverts, social media, and magazines. For more detailed information, you can view their product overview PDF.
Barry’s Tea
Barry's Tea is a renowned and iconic Irish tea brand, celebrated for its premium blends, particularly its Irish Breakfast Tea. Founded in 1901 by James J. Barry in Cork, Ireland, the company has maintained its family-owned status and is known for its dedication to quality and tradition. Barry's Tea holds a significant market share in Ireland, with around 35% of the Irish tea market, and it was announced in 2016 that Barry's overtook its key competitor Lyons to become Ireland's best-selling tea. The brand's Irish Breakfast Tea is carefully blended from teas sourced from the Assam Valley of India and the gardens of Rwanda and Kenya, ensuring a brisk and refreshing taste. Barry's commitment to quality and sustainability has earned it a strong reputation, with its products available globally.
T2 Tea
T2 Tea is renowned as one of the best producers of English Breakfast tea, offering a rich and robust blend that has gained worldwide popularity. Founded in 1996, T2 Tea has expanded internationally since its acquisition by Unilever in 2013, now with over 100 teas available, including their signature English Breakfast tea. This blend, derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, combines Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas for a bold and refreshing brew. T2 Tea's commitment to quality has led to significant success, such as a 75% conversion increase from user-generated content. With products available in over 100 stores across Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, and Singapore, T2 Tea continues to elevate the tea-drinking experience.
Whittard of Chelsea
Whittard of Chelsea is renowned for its high-quality English Breakfast tea, offering a blend that stands out for its rich and malty notes. Their English Breakfast tea, sourced from tea gardens in West Java, Indonesia, is praised for its smooth body and subtle bitterness, making it a comforting and warming choice. In contrast, their Chelsea Breakfast tea combines teas from Sri Lanka and Kenya, creating a full-bodied and robust brew ideal for those needing a stronger morning boost. Founded in 1886, Whittard of Chelsea has established itself as a trusted brand in the tea industry. Whether you prefer the Indonesian or the Sri Lankan and Kenyan blend, Whittard's teas are designed to enhance your breakfast experience.
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