The Best English Breakfast Tea in 2025 for Every Taste and Mood

The best English Breakfast tea in 2025 still does what it's always done - wrapping morning with a warm, comforting hug that's as much about balance as it is about boldness. This traditional blend of black teas, with its unmistakable rich aroma & robust flavor, remains one of the world's most satisfying & enduring brews.

These days, English Breakfast teas are available in all sorts of forms - classic Keemun-based blends, bold new versions infused with vanilla, probiotics or smoky notes, and just about everything in between. Whether you prefer loose leaf tea or the convenience of tea bags & sachets, we present the top 7 English Breakfast teas of 2025 - carefully chosen from some of the best brands out on Taste of Tea.

We put a lot of thought into our Top 7 list. It's a curated selection of the best English Breakfast teas you can get in 2025. To come up with it, we scoured customer reviews, looked at each brand's top-sellers, and compared flavor profiles, consistency, and overall quality. 

And because it's not just about taste, we also looked at things like where the ingredients come from, how fresh they are, and how easily you can get them in the US. That way, our list can give you the best of both worlds - traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation that will keep you coming back for more.

English Breakfast tea is usually a mix of several black teas from different places - often Assam, Ceylon and Kenya - all coming together to give you a rich, full-bodied flavor that's perfect with milk & sugar. It's got a deep, malty character that's gently toasty, making it the perfect addition to your breakfast table.

For a long time, English Breakfast tea was drunk on its own or with just a splash of milk - keeping things simple & balanced. But over time, tea makers started experimenting with this classic blend, adding in unique regional twists & flavor profiles. That's what makes all the difference between a cup of tea that's just good and one that's truly unforgettable.

English Breakfast tea has its roots in the 19th century, when British tea drinkers were after a strong, invigorating brew to get them going in the morning. In those days, the tea was made from Chinese leaves, but as the British Empire grew, teas from India, Sri Lanka (back then it was Ceylon), & Africa started to make an appearance. All these places came together to give you the signature strength & smoothness that makes a true English Breakfast tea so special.

Fast forward to 2025 & the story's pretty much the same - only now tea makers are adding their own twists, like fair-trade sourcing & probiotics, or even subtle smoky infusions. Whether the tea's grown in the misty highlands of Assam or Sri Lanka's lush rainforests, every place brings its own special character to the table - whether it's malty, floral or gently sweet.

English Breakfast tea is a classic — but it stands apart from other favorites like Earl Grey. Earl Grey is usually a single black tea infused with bergamot oil, giving it that citrusy zing. Both are timeless in their own way, but where Earl Grey is bright and aromatic, English Breakfast tea is bold and deeply comforting — perfect for those who love a hearty, well-rounded cup.

Brand overview: Harney & Sons is an American family-owned tea company known for crafting top-notch, heritage-inspired blends that really showcase traditional craftsmanship. Their English Breakfast tea takes it right back to the original 19th-century version - a 100% Keemun black tea from China's Anhui Province. This is all about respecting tradition while still delivering that smooth, balanced character Harney & Sons is famous for.

Flavor and experience: Harney & Sons English Breakfast tea is a mellow, rounded cup with notes of toast, honey & soft cocoa. It's full-bodied yet refined - perfect for a comforting morning cup. It's warm & toasty, with a smooth finish. Whether you like it with milk & sugar or on its own, this is a classic brew that never fails to hit the spot.

Brewing & Serving notes: Steep 1 teaspoon (2 g) of Harney & Sons English Breakfast tea in 8 oz (240 ml) of boiling water (212°F / 100°C) for 4-5 minutes - that's the sweet spot for bringing out the best flavor. As you watch the tea turn deep copper-brown, you'll be hit with that rich, malty fragrance. And when you take a sip, you'll know why this is a timeless classic. Enjoy hot with breakfast, or as a mid-morning pick-me-up with some toast or pastries - the choice is yours.

Brand overview: Los Angeles–based August Uncommon Tea - a brand that's all about thinking outside the box. They revolutionize the humble cup of tea with avant-garde blends that turn classic teas into an immersive experience. Each one is carefully crafted to evoke a mood, a specific aroma and a texture that turns drinking tea into a proper sensory ritual.

Flavor and experience: Think Breakfast Smoky Vanilla Black Tea for a taste of the unexpected. By combining Assam and Ceylon black teas with a hint of Lapsang Souchong and some real vanilla, they create a rich cup where smoky and sweet notes just melt together. As it unfurls, it's like a warm hug in a mug - you get toasted grain, creamy vanilla and that hint of smoky BBQ, all in perfect harmony.

Brewing & Serving notes: To get the best out of Breakfast Smoky Vanilla Black Tea, put in 1 teaspoon for every 8 oz of water (freshly boiled water, naturally). Give it 4-5 minutes to steep, and watch how it releases this gorgeous aroma that's like fresh toast and vanilla. The flavor starts smooth and sweet, and then deepens into this lovely gentle smokiness that lingers on the palate. Enjoy it on its own to really appreciate its complexity, or add a splash of milk for a creamy cup to start your day off right.

Brand overview: Portland-based Plum Deluxe Tea has a reputation for its small-batch, hand-blended goodness. They're all about warmth, mindfulness and connecting people through tea - turning everyday moments into little comfort rituals that bring a little joy into your life.

Flavor and experience: House Blend Black Tea is a smooth and mellow affair. They've combined top-notch black tea leaves with some gorgeous vanilla, safflower and blue malva flowers to create a lovely, rounded cup that's just so refreshing. It's a classic yet cozy blend that'll kick-start your day or just calm you down after a long day.

Brewing & Serving notes: Simply steep 1 teaspoon of House Blend Black tea in 8 oz of water (freshly boiled, of course) for 3-5 minutes, and that's it. As it brews, you'll get this lovely sweet aroma that's like warm vanilla and toast. The tea ends up a deep amber color, and the flavor is all round and mellow. Enjoy it on its own or add a bit of milk and sweetener for a richer cup - perfect for a café-style treat!

Brand overview: If it's premium tea done the modern way that you're after, then Portland-based Tea with Tae is the way to go. They're all about pushing the boundaries of the old-school cup of tea with beautiful packaging, eco-friendly practices and thoughtful blends that bring it all back to the basics. And that’s exactly what they do.

Flavor and experience: This English Breakfast tea blend is a straightforward combination, bringing together the best of Keemun, Assam and Ceylon black teas for a classic, full-bodied cup. And by straightforward, we mean it's just pure, unadulterated bliss - think roasted grain, a whisper of caramel and just a hint of smokiness. It's a classic blend that'll stand up to any of the morning routine challenges.

Brewing & Serving notes: Easy as, steep 1 teaspoon of Tea with Tae English Breakfast tea in 8 oz of freshly boiled water for 3-5 minutes, and you're in for a treat. As it brews, you get this lovely malty aroma, and the color goes deep amber. Perfect on its own or with a splash of milk and a bit of sweetener for a richer cup.

Brand overview: iLOLA's got a whole new way of looking at tea with its innovative Tea Discs - a modern, zero-waste way to enjoy premium loose leaf tea. They're all about pushing the boundaries of what tea experience can be - bringing together wellness and a great taste in a clean, contemporary way. Each tea blend is designed to melt into a smooth, indulgent ritual that you'll just love.

Flavor and experience: English Breakfast No. 11 is just the ticket for those who love a bold, full-bodied cup that's full of depth and character. They've combined Kenyan, Ceylon and Assam black teas for a real treat - a malty, smooth and toasty cup that's got it all.

Brewing & Serving notes: Steep one tea disc of English Breakfast No. 11 in 8 ounces of freshly boiled water (212°F / 100°C) for 3-5 minutes. While it brews, the English Breakfast No. 11 will fill the cup with a hearty aroma & a deep rich color. Smooth & pleasant on the palate, it's great enjoyed on its own or with a bit of milk. And that's the perfect way to get your day off on the right foot - or to have a nice pick-me-up in the afternoon, with some biscuits or toast to go with it.

Brand overview: Beach House Teas is an Oregon-based artisanal company who are passionate about creating small-batch blends inspired by the Pacific Coast. They do it all with sustainability & handcrafted care, which you can really taste in every cup.

Flavor and experience: Now this English Breakfast tea is a proper cup of tea - a bold, full-bodied black tea that's been crafted to be a timeless classic. It's got a rich, smooth flavor with a gentle roasted edge that gives it warmth & comfort. It's perfect for kicking off the day or having a quiet moment by the sea.

Brewing & Serving notes: To brew, add 1 teaspoon (2.5g) of Beach House English Breakfast tea to 8 oz (240ml) of freshly boiled water (212°F / 100°C) and let it steep for 3-5 minutes. While it brews, Beach House English Breakfast tea lets off a lovely toasty aroma & the color deepens to a beautiful amber. And it remains strong yet balanced - whether you have it on its own or with milk, honey or sweetener. This is one of those teas you can have at any time of day & still enjoy.

Brand overview: Somage is a premium tea company that are all about doing things right. They source their teas from biodiverse gardens in Sri Lanka & make sure they're handled with care. You can really taste the authenticity in every cup.

Flavor and experience: Somage's English Breakfast tea is a beautiful example of what a proper black tea should be - smooth, medium-bodied & balanced. It's got a lovely light malt taste with a hint of earthiness which develops into a clean finish. Perfect for those who like a bit of depth without the heaviness.

Brewing & Serving notes: For a perfect cup, add 1 teaspoon (2.5g) of Somage English Breakfast tea to 8 oz (240ml) of freshly boiled water (212°F / 100°C) and allow it to infuse for 3-5 minutes. As the leaves open, the tea emits a lovely floral, toasted aroma and develops a deep dark amber color. Enjoy this smooth and layered tea on its own or with milk to fully savor its distinctive flavor.

A great cup of English Breakfast tea starts with fresh, filtered water & some decent tea leaves. So use one teaspoon of loose leaf per cup, or a single tea bag or sachet. Steep for four to five minutes at 212°F (100°C) for black teas.

Now if you want that traditional taste, just add milk & a spoonful of sugar or sweetener. 

Want to taste some of the subtle notes? Try it without milk. 

Fancy a bit of a twist? Serve it over ice or have it as a creamy tea latte. 

The key is finding the right balance of strength & smoothness to suit your taste.

English Breakfast tea is one of those timeless morning essentials - a real symbol of warmth, balance & comfort. From the malty richness of Harney & Sons to the smoky vanilla of August Uncommon and the probiotic innovation of iLOLA, every single one of these blends gives you a different way to start your day right.

If you're looking for the best loose leaf tea & tea bag selections, then it's well worth shopping directly at Taste of Tea. We've curated a collection of the top English Breakfast teas of 2025 - all of which have been crafted with quality, flavor and the perfect morning cup in mind.

Whether you're just trying out other English Breakfast teas or sticking to a tried favorite, finding the right blend and perfect steeping time is key to getting a lovely cup of tea - every time.

Behind the Cup

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