Top Irish Breakfast Tea Brands You Need to Taste

Irish breakfast tea is a robust and hearty blend that is cherished for its bold flavor and invigorating qualities. As the tradition of drinking this strong black tea in the morning has grown, numerous brands have gained popularity for crafting exceptional Irish breakfast tea. Among the most favored brands are Barry's Tea, known for its rich heritage and deep, malty flavors, and Lyons Tea, celebrated for its smooth yet robust taste. Other notable mentions include Twinings Irish Breakfast, a staple with a well-balanced profile, and Bewley's, revered for its classic blend and high-quality leaves. To explore these exceptional brands and discover your perfect cup of Irish breakfast tea, read on.

Illustration of irish breakfast tea

Best brands of irish breakfast tea in 2025

Barry's Tea

Barry's Tea is a renowned Irish tea brand, founded in 1901, which commands a significant 38% share of the Irish tea market, valued at approximately EUR85 million annually. The brand has consistently demonstrated growth, even during economic downturns, by maintaining its quality cues and recruiting new purchasers. In 2016, Barry's Tea overtook its main competitor, Lyons Tea, to become Ireland's best-selling tea brand. The company has also expanded its product line to include green and herbal teas, and since 2021, all its tea bags are biodegradable. Barry's Tea is available not only in Ireland but also in several countries with significant Irish immigrant communities. For more details, visit Barry's Tea Wikipedia.

Bewley's

Bewley's is a renowned brand in Ireland, particularly celebrated for its high-quality Irish Breakfast Tea, which is a blend of strong black teas, often combining Assam and Darjeeling teas from India. This tea is known for its robust flavor, dark color, and malty aroma, making it a favorite among Irish tea enthusiasts. Bewley's Irish Breakfast Tea accounts for a significant portion of the Irish tea market, with the brand itself holding a 7% market share as of 2015. The tea is available in both tea bags and loose-leaf form, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences. Bewley's commitment to quality and traditional brewing methods has made it one of the leading brands in the Irish tea market.

Twinings

Twinings is renowned as one of the best producers of Irish Breakfast Tea, a blend that has been a staple for centuries. Created by Richard Twining in the early 19th century, this tea is designed to be stronger and more robust, catering to the Irish preference for bold beverages. In the U.S. tea market, black tea, which includes Irish Breakfast, held a revenue share of 39.42% in 2024, with Twinings being a key market player. The blend combines teas from Assam, Kenya, Indonesia, and China, offering a full-bodied flavor with a smooth finish. Twinings' products, including their Irish Breakfast Tea, are popular globally, with millions of consumers in various regions.

Lyons

Lyons Tea, owned by Unilever, is a leading brand in the Irish tea market, particularly renowned for its Irish breakfast tea. It holds a significant market share, with around 36% of the market in 2015, and is the number-one selling tea brand in Ireland. Founded in 1904, Lyons Tea has a long history and deep roots in Irish culture, as evident from its appearance in the 1952 film "The Quiet Man." The brand is known for its strong black tea blends, often combining Assam and Kenyan teas, and is certified by the Rainforest Alliance. Despite competition, Lyons Tea remains a favorite, especially in regions like Donegal, Monaghan, and Louth. Learn more about Ireland's top 5 tea brands.

Numi Organic Tea

Numi Organic Tea is renowned for its high-quality breakfast blends, particularly its Irish Breakfast or Breakfast Blend, which combines Fair Trade organic black teas from Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling, and Keemun. This blend offers a robust, full-bodied flavor with complex aromas of malt, spice, and hints of hot chocolate and black coffee. Sourced from Fair Trade gardens in India and Sri Lanka, Numi's teas support farmers in improving their lives through community development programs. The company's commitment to sustainability and fair labor practices ensures that every cup empowers farmers and promotes better living conditions. With a strong customer appreciation for its pure ingredients and no artificial flavors, Numi stands out as a premium choice for breakfast tea.

Harney & Sons

Harney & Sons is highly regarded for its Irish Breakfast tea, praised for its robust and balanced flavor profile. This Assam blend, available in both loose-leaf and paper tea bags, is noted for its rich, dark red-brown infusion and flavors of cocoa and malt, making it ideal for breakfast or as a standalone tea. The tea has received positive reviews for its convenience and quality, with individual foil wrappers for the tea bags enhancing portability. It is recommended to steep the tea for 5 minutes to bring out the nuanced flavors, and it can easily take milk and sugar. Harney & Sons' commitment to quality is evident in their 30-day return policy and free shipping on orders over $59.

Taylors of Harrogate

Taylors of Harrogate, a family business founded in 1886 in Harrogate, England, is renowned for its exceptional Irish Breakfast Tea, a traditional blend of top-quality Assam and East African teas. This robust and rich tea offers a strong, full-bodied flavor with a bright, rosy liquor. Known for their commitment to quality and sustainability, Taylors of Harrogate ensures that their tea is non-GMO verified and packaged in a way that reduces waste. The tea bags, though without strings, are easy to compost, making it a favorite among environmentally conscious consumers. With a history spanning over 137 years, Taylors of Harrogate continues to be a trusted name in the tea industry.

Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason is renowned for its high-quality Irish Breakfast tea, a blend that combines Assam and Kenyan leaves to create a malty and bright flavor, ideal for starting the morning. This strong tea, often described as the best for milk tea, has received high ratings for its aroma and flavor, with some reviews scoring it 90 out of 100 and praising its ability to make the "best milk tea ever". The tea is sourced from farms that adhere to Ethical Tea Partnership standards, ensuring a fair and sustainable tea industry. Fortnum & Mason's Irish Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea is available in 250g packs and is noted for its rich, full-bodied taste that is best enjoyed with a splash of milk. This historic brand has been a staple in British tea culture since the mid-1800s. Fortnum & Mason's Irish Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea is available online and offers a luxurious tea experience.

Bewley's

Bewley's is a renowned brand in Ireland, particularly celebrated for its high-quality Irish Breakfast Tea, which is a blend of high-grown Assam and Darjeeling teas harvested in India. This tea is known for its strong, creamy, and malty flavor, making it a favorite among tea enthusiasts. Bewley's holds a significant market share in the Irish tea market, with around 7% of the market share as of 2015. The brand's Irish Breakfast Tea is available in various packaging options, including 80-bag boxes and loose-leaf formats. Bewley's teas are widely appreciated and have been a staple in Irish tea culture for many years.

Twinings Superblends

Twinings, a 300-year-old British heritage brand, has successfully diversified its product line with the Superblends range, although it is not specifically focused on Irish Breakfast tea. However, Twinings is renowned for its high-quality tea blends, including Irish Breakfast, which is a strong and full-bodied black tea. The brand's move to Shopify in 2021 and adoption of Klaviyo for marketing automation have significantly boosted its direct-to-consumer revenue, with 30% of DTC revenue generated through email campaigns. Twinings' Irish Breakfast tea is a blend of teas from distinct regions, including Assam, Kenya, Indonesia, and China, offering a robust taste and rich amber color. This blend is popular overseas and reflects the brand's expertise in creating diverse and flavorful tea options.