Irish Breakfast is a stronger, more assertive black tea blend than English Breakfast — typically Assam-dominant, sometimes exclusively Assam CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) grade, designed to produce a powerful, malt-forward cup that the Irish traditionally drink heavily cut with milk. Where English Breakfast is a balanced blend, Irish Breakfast emphasizes bold body, strong color, and the ability to stand up to a large splash of whole milk in a large mug.
The tradition of strong tea with generous milk reflects Irish drinking culture, where tea has been the dominant hot beverage for over 150 years. Irish Breakfast historically used single-origin Assam CTC, and many traditional versions still do, though some blends include a small proportion of African tea for additional briskness.
In the cup, Irish Breakfast brews a very deep amber to reddish-brown — notably darker than most black teas. The aroma is malty and robust. The body is full and assertive, the finish strong and warm. Made for milk.
Brew at 195°F for 4 minutes. Use 2.5–3 grams per 8-ounce cup.