When I’m short on time and need to get stuff done, nothing beats an intense cup of hot Irish tea. With a good number of Irish teas already in my collection, I decided to seek out a few popular brands that I hadn’t gotten around to tasting yet.I’ve put this post together with the thought that it might help point you towards discovering your own favorite cup of Irish tea. These are some of the dominant brands from Ireland–everyday “teabag” teas that are no-nonsense, relatively inexpensive, and fairly easy to get (thanks to Amazon!).To start, I brewed all the teas in spring (soft) water that had reached the boiling point. I tried each of the teas three times, once at 2 minutes, again at 3 minutes, and finally at 5 minutes. Shorter brew times helped me to pick up on more subtle flavors, while the longer brew time helped me to notice harsher ones. No milk or sugar here…just a chance to enjoy these teas straight up!Tea Tasting #1: Lyon’s Original Blend
Bright & Fragrant. Mildly astringent as if there were a small slice of lemon floating in it. Each sip finishes on a sharp note. A very clear liquor with minimal bitterness.
Tea Tasting #2: Barry’s Tea Gold Blend
Brisk & Intense. Brace yourself–this is an edgy brew that turns from brisk to harsh quickly. There is a dusty aftertaste. If you enjoy your Irish tea with milk and sugar, this is a good choice.
Tea Tasting #3: Bewley’s Dublin Morning Tea
Dark and Smokey. Leather and tar notes, and a hint of wine-like taste. A very clear liquor, handsomely dark like coffee. This could definitely use a splash of milk.
Smooth & Malty. Hints of honey or caramel, gentler on the palette than all the other teas. The liquor has noticeable fannings. This is a great option if you like your Irish tea on the lighter side.
Tea Tasting #5: Nambarrie
Woody & Earthy. Reminds me of mahogany, bark, and dry timber. A good amount of fannings are left behind after brewing. The liquor has a yellowish hue of sunshine that reminds me of steeped saffron.The Verdict: It’s Lyons all the way for me, with Thompson’s Punjana coming in at a close second! That being said, these tasting notes are just my humble observations. If you’ve tried any of these teas, let me know what you think! I’d love to hear about the brands you love!
• ABOUT • BONNIE ENGHi, I'm Bonnie. I'm a passionate cook and tea enthusiast who's always looking for fresh ways to enjoy tea. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll join me on more of my tea adventures!
Lapsang Souchong is one of my favorite teas to cook with, but also one of my least favorite teas to drink. Although I love the idea of a tea fired over pine wood, I often find Lapsang Souchong almost too assertive, better for culinary creations than for everyday drinking. Elmwood Inn’s Bourbon Black Tea is a lighter version of... MORE >>
When I’m short on time and need to get stuff done, nothing beats an intense cup of hot Irish tea. With a good number of Irish teas already in my collection, I decided to seek out a few popular brands that I hadn’t gotten around to tasting yet.
I’ve put this post together with the thought that it might help point you towards discovering your own favorite cup of Irish tea. These are some of the dominant brands from Ireland–everyday “teabag” teas that are no-nonsense, relatively inexpensive, and fairly easy to get (thanks to Amazon!).
To start, I brewed all the teas in spring (soft) water that had reached the boiling point. I tried each of the teas three times, once at 2 minutes, again at 3 minutes, and finally at 5 minutes. Shorter brew times helped me to pick up on more subtle flavors, while the longer brew time helped me to notice harsher ones. No milk or sugar here…just a chance to enjoy these teas straight up!
Tea Tasting #1: Lyon’s Original Blend
Tea Tasting #2: Barry’s Tea Gold Blend
Tea Tasting #3: Bewley’s Dublin Morning Tea
Tea Tasting #4: Thompson’s Punjana Irish Breakfast Blend
The Verdict: It’s Lyons all the way for me, with Thompson’s Punjana coming in at a close second! That being said, these tasting notes are just my humble observations. If you’ve tried any of these teas, let me know what you think! I’d love to hear about the brands you love!
