The 10 best teas to buy in the UK
Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the entire world, being the second most consumed beverage after water. Given its long-lasting popularity, it’s safe to say that tea is very enjoyable, with a variety of flavours available to suit every palate.
Choosing the best tea is very subjective. Originating from many countries and available in countless flavours, deciding which tea you like best is usually a case of trial and error. However, buying a great tea is much easier if you know what to look for in the product!
What are teas?
Tea is beverage produced by pouring boiling water over cured tea leaves. All tea comes from a single plant (Camellia sinensis) native to Asia, although the plant is now widely grown throughout the entire world, and the leaves can be treated and processed in many ways to achieve unique types of tea. There are many varieties of tea available, all of which provide their own distinct aromas and flavours. Herbal teas are infused with herbs and fruits, resulting in very flavourful beverages.
Why should you buy a good tea?
The best tea beverages are not just delicious and refreshing. For instance, green tea is rich in antioxidants.
To gain these benefits, the tea must be actual tea, meaning it shouldn’t be infused with other plants (e.g. herbal mint tea.)
How to choose the right tea in 2024?
Choosing a good tea is all about personal preferences, so it can be difficult to know what to look for without trying it first. Here are some things to consider that make choosing a good tea that bit easier:
- Flavour: A great tea flavour for one person isn’t always enjoyed by everyone, so it’s important to consider the overall flavours when buying tea. For example, black teas usually have the strongest flavours, while white and green teas tend to be milder. Herbal teas offer distinct flavours that are often quite pleasant, with fruit and herb infusions offering a delicious tasting beverage. Remember, teas can be mixed with milk and other ingredients to create more unique flavours. Black tea often pairs great with milk, although you may prefer the more pronounced flavour of straight tea.
- Preparation: A common misconception is that all tea requires boiling water and cup to make. While true with some types of tea, there is a lot of different ways to prepare tea, with factors such as tea type, water temperature, and the duration of infusion all impacting how you make it. Make sure you have the necessary items to make the tea, as not all tea comes in a bag ready for infusion, and be sure to check the preparation instructions before you buy.
What is the best kind of tea in the UK?
All tea comes from a single plant, but the there are many varieties to this plant and different ways to process (namely oxidization) the leaves, resulting in many types of tea. However, pure tea can be categorised into four main types:
- Black Tea: The best tea for anyone starting out, this is the most widely consumed type of tea. It’s dark in appearance and comes with the strongest flavours, while caffeine content is typically higher too. Black tea is great on its own or can be combined with milk, sugar, or lemon.
- Green Tea: Green tea has not been oxidized, resulting in high levels of antioxidants and other minerals and vitamins, making it one of the best teas out there. It comes in a pale green or yellow colour, and comes with a light flavour and body. Green tea tastes best when drunk without any additives like milk or sugar, although lemon and honey can make a pleasant addition.
- Oolong Tea: This partially oxidized tea can vary in flavour and colour based the duration of oxidization. For instance, darker oolong that tastes similar to black tea has been oxidized for longer, while shorter oxidization leads to a milder tasting beverage similar to green tea. It can be steeped to produce a very unique tea as well, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to oolong tea.
- White Tea: Having been processed the least, white tea offers the mildest flavour and lightest colour of all teas. It tends to have a very low caffeine content but is high in antioxidants, and should be drunk without adding anything to preserve the flavour.
Top 10 list of teas in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their teas. Which tea is the best?
- Based on Ayurvedic wisdom and inspired by traditional Western and Chinese medicine,…
- Crafted with love and care, every aspect of our luxurious herbal tea gifts are fully…
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- Features a convenient hinged lid that fits securely, keeping your tea fresh and protected…
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- Yorkshire Tea is a member of the Ethical Tea Partnership and Rainforest Alliance…
- We’ve built close relationships with brilliant tea gardens which share our…
- We go to great lengths to make tea properly – from tasting 1000s of teas a…
- Yorkshire Tea is a member of the Ethical Tea Partnership and Rainforest Alliance…
- We’ve built close relationships with brilliant tea gardens which share our…
- We go to great lengths to make tea properly – from tasting 1000s of teas a…
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- Packaging may vary
- PG tips was the first major UK tea brand to sell fully Rainforest Alliance Certified…
- PG tips tea is made with tea leaves from rainforest alliance certified estates. We…
- INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED TEA BAGS: Preserve the freshness of each blend in this luxurious…
- HIGH QUALITY: Made with organic and antioxidant-rich ingredients, these teas are…
- THE PERFECT GIFT: A beautifully presented, sophisticated tea collection designed…
- Based on Ayurvedic wisdom and inspired by traditional Western and Chinese medicine,…
- Crafted with love and care, every aspect of our luxurious herbal tea gifts are fully…
- Our teas are blended by herbal experts using the highest quality, 100% organic ingredients,…
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