Yorkshire Breakfast Blend
A brisk, malty black tea blend made in Yorkshire, strong enough for a big mug and plenty of milk.
Yorkshire tea is a blend of black teas from India, Sri Lanka and Africa, put together in Yorkshire and balanced to suit the local water. It brews dark, brisk and malty, and it is made for milk.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 48 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 20 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
Related reading
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Broken Leaf |
| Water temperature | 208°F / 98°C |
| Target brew time | 4:00-5:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 g filtered water at 98°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 98°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 4:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
The caffeine count
We list about 48 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Boil it once
Taylors advise freshly drawn water that has been boiled only once. Run the tap for a few seconds first, fill the kettle fresh each time, and pour while the water is still bubbling.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Yorkshire tea is a blend of black teas from India, Sri Lanka and Africa, put together in Yorkshire and balanced to suit the local water. It brews dark, brisk and malty, and it is made for milk. Brewed in a teapot at 98°C for four to five minutes.
Origin & Story
The leaf in a Yorkshire blend is not grown in Yorkshire. It comes from India, Sri Lanka and Africa. What is Yorkshire is the blending: the choosing and balancing of teas until the cup comes out strong, brisk and malty, with enough backbone to take a good pour of milk.
The best-known Yorkshire tea is Yorkshire Tea, made by Taylors of Harrogate, a family firm founded in 1886 that has sold the blend under that name since 1977. Taylors built its reputation by buying good leaf and blending it to suit the local water, and it still sells a separate Hard Water blend for places where the tap water is hard.
Water matters more than people expect. Tap water high in calcium and magnesium can dull the flavor of tea and leave a thin film on the surface, which is why some makers, Taylors among them, offer a blend made for hard water.
The result is a tea that is sturdy rather than subtle, quick to color and unapologetically malty. It is the tea of the big mug and the quick break, and it asks only that you leave it long enough to get going.
Brew 3 g of leaf in 240 ml of water at 98°C for four to five minutes, then add milk to taste.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 62/100 |
| Acidity | 48/100 |
| Bitterness | 46/100 |
| Body | 78/100 |
| Aroma | 76/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Yorkshire Breakfast Blend?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 48 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Yorkshire Breakfast Blend?
Target 98°C (208°F).
How long should Yorkshire Breakfast Blend be extracted?
Timing: 4:00-5:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Broken Leaf.
Is Yorkshire tea grown in Yorkshire?
No. The leaf comes from India, Sri Lanka and Africa. Yorkshire is where it is blended, by Taylors of Harrogate for the best-known brand.
What is a hard water tea blend?
A blend made to taste right where tap water is high in dissolved minerals, which can dull a tea's flavor. Taylors sells one, Yorkshire Hard Water tea, for hard water areas. Where the water is soft, the regular blend is the one to start with.
Who should avoid Yorkshire Breakfast Blend?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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