Our Taste Test of Supermarket Black Tea

Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget to a tasting of black tea.

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[joesantamaria]

No mention at all of PG Tips and Typhoo, both of which are available in the US now, and very good indeed.

[tinapospeshil]

I would have liked to see the results for more than two tea brands.

[Anurania]

There are some good English all purpose teas like PG Tips, Tetley, Yorkshire. What frustrates me is when they develop a specific version for the US market which is much weaker than the original. I want to tell them, if people are buying your brand it's because they want that strong taste they associate with England, not another bland flavorless tea that they can already find in a dozen domestic brands.

[ninababy]

I just started using PG Tips. Recommend by some English friends. It’s a milk and sugar tea. But I dearly love twinnings Irish Breakfast tea it’s strong and malty.

[perrymalcolm]

Having lived in Taiwan 13 years n known a tea farmer, I can only tell you he said the tea we get in the bags are considered the sweepings of the floor!

[carlosfigueroa]

Anyone in here for yorkshire gold? That's my tea to have with milk.

[karldelavigne]

Yorkshire Tea by Taylor's of Harrogate is a good compromise for bagged tea if it is available in the US.

[EddyfyingArt]

Twinings Earl Grey extra bold is my favorite!

[cherylanderson]

I love Red Rose for my everyday tea. I just realized, they didn't even mention how their tea was prepared. The kind of water used & how long it's steeped & long term, how the tea is stored, makes a huge difference. I have excellent, drinkable tap water - without Fluoride & the additional chemical that must be added to slow the erosion of pipes, caused by adding Fluoride. I let it run a while 1st, like filling my watering cans, then bring 4 C. water to a boil. I let this sit a few minutes so I don't scald the tea.

I pour it into a 4C. Pyrex pitcher, with 3 tea bags, - sometimes 2 will do, clipped together, then cover the pitcher with a small plate, & use my timer set for 6 minutes. SOmetimes I'm in the middle of something so don't rush to get to remove the bags at exactly 6 minutes, so it may be a bit stronger at times. However, this tea is a very gentle, forgiving tea, so still tasted pleasant after steeping for 10 minutes. I pour the hot tea into 2 thermoses & can enjoy a 1/2 c tea - hot tea any time, for the next few hours, without without milk - & usually black without sugar, so I can really enjoy the taste of the tea. .

For some variety - I like Constant Comment for a nice change of pace. It has some orange oil or zest so has a very pleasing, unique flavor - hot or cold, with or without milk. I also enjoy Bigelow's Earl gray on occasion.
Someone gave me a box of Salada last year, & it was awful. So harsh.

[hwiley]

My grandmother, who was British, would drink Tetleys when she was here. One of my fondest memories was when my French husband ( at the time ), made her a cup of tea. He was used to drinking green tea without milk, so you dont let the water get so hot, etc. When her gave her the cup, she just looked at it and said " you call that tea ? and fill it up". It should be as dark as coffee, not light brown.

[CookingwithShereen]

I love Earl Grey.. but dislike a bitter tea. You guys always educate me, thank you for that!

[MyLifeInBinary]

I drink Harney and Sons and I have tried many of their teas and I have never been disappointed. Quality is high and some of their teas' flavor profile is amazing.

[backlash]

I like Ty.phoo brand tea . It has a wonderful flavor .

[Blakehx]

Interesting info thanks! I’d like to see a comparison of different tea types and different brewing methods! (cold brew, boiling, near boiling, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, overnight, etc)

[guyplay]

Tazo Awake is the best black tea. Three minute brew is all you need.

[heat_]

The testing segments deserve to be longer.

[bryannorcross]

My grandma was a tea drinker all her, at least as long as I could remember. I was introduced to RedRose tea by a friend. I was hooked. I wonder why it isn’t more known in the USA.

[smtpgirl]

Red Rose, the BEST grocery store black tea. Of those sampled, the Tetley British blend is the best.

[michellecjackson]

Twining's Irish Breakfast makes the best tea for milk and sugar, and also for iced tea in the summer

[sabaof]

These were most sold in the US. Have you tried Wissotsky English Breakfast, found in the Kosher section of supermarkets. Our favorite.