English Tea Shop shares tips ahead of International Tea Day
To celebrate International Tea Day on 21st May, English Tea Shop’s Master Blender Sampath Amarasena shares expert insights on how to brew the perfect cup – and the common mistakes Brits are still making.
Common Myths:
“Most people don’t realise that brewing time is what defines the flavour of your tea – not just the type you choose.”
“Most people are under-brewing their tea – five minutes is what delivers a properly rich, full-bodied cup.”
“The biggest mistake people make is rushing their tea – dipping the bag for a few seconds simply doesn’t allow the flavour to develop”
“Reheating tea is one of the quickest ways to ruin it – it dulls the flavour and can make it taste overly bitter and flat.”
What is the perfect way to brew tea (when making black tea)?
For a perfect & stronger brew, steeping your black tea for about five minutes will give you a rich, full-bodied cup that pairs perfectly with milk. If you prefer a lighter cup, steep for around three minutes. For a balanced option, a four-minute brew offers medium strength allowing you to adjust the flavour to suit your taste.
What should you look for when tasting a tea? What flavour notes should it have?
When tasting our organic black teas, look for a smooth, brisk, and punchy finish with a subtle citrusy note. These qualities come together to create a rich, well-balanced cup of organic black tea.
What is the difference between English breakfast and everyday tea?
The key difference in English Breakfast tea is its strength and bold character. It is blended to be more robust and full-bodied, with a higher caffeine kick, making it ideal to start your morning.
Compared to everyday teas such as Ceylon Black Tea, English Breakfast has a greater weight and a more pronounced, brisk flavour. It’s this strength and punch that set it apart, delivering a richer and more energising cup.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when brewing tea?
One of the most common mistakes people make, especially when using tea sachets, is not allowing enough time for the tea to steep. Many simply dip the tea bag in the cup for a few seconds and expect the flavour to develop, but that’s not enough time for a proper brew.
When you allow the tea to steep for a few minutes, it has time to fully release its strength, character, and depth of flavour. Patience truly makes all the difference in creating a well-balanced and enjoyable cup.
Is it bad to reheat tea or leave it sitting too long?
Yes, it is not recommended to reheat tea once it has been brewed. As the tea cools, its texture and flavour begin to change, and reheating can further affect the cup, diminishing its fresh, smooth finish. It can also become cloudy and overly astringent, making it less enjoyable.
Similarly, reusing tea leaves or tea bags is not advised. Most tea bags are designed for a single brew, as the first infusion extracts the full character, strength, and nuanced flavours of the tea. Rebrewing the same leaves results in a weaker cup that lacks depth and complexity.
Does squeezing the tea bag make your tea taste worse?
It depends on how the tea is brewed. If you steep it for longer than the recommended time and then squeeze the tea bag, it can release extra strength and make the brew more intense than expected. However, if you follow the optimal brewing time, gently squeezing the tea bag will simply enhance the flavour rather than overpower it.
The type of tea bag also plays a role. With envelope or flat sachet tea bags, squeezing can intensify the flavour due to the smaller particle size. In contrast, with pyramid tea bags, the difference is minimal squeezing may add a slight boost, but it won’t significantly change the character of the brew.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and how strong you like your cup.
Can tea support sleep, focus, or digestion – and which types are best?
Yes, tea can support all three of these areas – sleep, focus, and digestion – depending on the blend you choose.
For sleep, calming blends such as chamomile and chamomile lavender are ideal. Our wellness blend, Sleepy Me, is also crafted to support relaxation, featuring ingredients like valerian and chamomile, making it perfect for winding down at the end of the day.
For focus, a tea with a gentle amount of caffeine works best. Options like black, green, or white teas can provide that light boost. Blends such as white tea with green tea and pomegranate, Earl Grey, or English Breakfast offer a balanced lift to help you stay alert and focused.
For digestion, peppermint tea is a great choice. Naturally caffeine-free, it helps soothe the digestive system and reduce bloating, making it especially beneficial after a heavy meal.
What teas are best to drink in the morning vs evening?
It really comes down to personal preference. I like to start my day with a strong caffeine boost, so I usually choose an English Breakfast or a bold Earl Grey in the morning. After lunch, I prefer a caffeine-free option such as peppermint, which supports digestion. Blends with lemongrass, citrus, ginger, or hibiscus-based infusions like Super Berry are also great choices after meals.
In the evening, I switch to something lighter, perhaps a green tea, a herbal infusion, or even a mild chai, depending on my mood. For me, the ideal routine is a strong, caffeinated tea in the morning, a caffeine-free blend after lunch, and a lighter, more calming tea in the evening.
What ingredients should you look for in functional or wellness teas?
At English Tea Shop, we believe functional or wellness teas should be built around ingredients that support how you want to feel.
For relaxation and sleep, look for calming botanicals like chamomile, lavender, and valerian – ingredients that help you unwind and ease into rest. For digestion, refreshing herbs like peppermint, ginger, and lemongrass are key, as they naturally support and soothe the digestive system.
If you’re looking for focus and gentle energy, teas with green tea, black tea, or white tea offer a natural source of caffeine, helping you stay alert and balanced without the crash. For everyday wellness, ingredients like hibiscus, berries, and citrus fruits bring antioxidants and vibrant flavour together in every cup.
At the heart of it, functional teas are about purposeful ingredients, each one carefully selected to help you feel your best, one sip at a time.
Website: www.etsteas.co.uk
Credit: Expert commentary and tea-brewing advice provided by English Tea Shop to celebrate International Tea Day 2026.