Irish Breakfast Tea, SMOOTH, RICH & WELL-ROUNDED CEYLON (Idulgashinna Estate Light Blend)

In days of yore they said, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” This was a metaphorical way of saying the British Imperial footprint was enormous. With many of their traditions, they also imparted a passion for tea drinking and production in countries across the world. This is true, even, of Ireland. Their rainy and cold weather, along with a steely persona, had a need for a strong cup of morning tea, and soon Irish Breakfast Tea was made. While the Irish have been sipping their own tea for centuries, there is no precise formula for loose leaf Irish Breakfast Tea. Instead, it is a mixture of various teas. U.S. Wellness makes this mixture with tea from only two estates, that due to varying altitudes are able to provide a wide range of terroirs, which allows for mixing and perfecting annually to create a consistent cup of strong Irish Breakfast Tea. The Idulgashinna Estate is located in Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon. The name Ceylon has subsequently been passed on to the rich black teas that originate from its lands. Sri Lankan tea, aka Ceylon Tea, has been called the Bordeaux of Teas by experts in the field. Their commitment to quality, sustainability, and old world production methods produce an impeccable black tea that is truly one-of-a-kind. Much of their value comes through production. They use a method called the Orthodox method of production. This means painstakingly picking the tea in small baskets, so that they never get crushed under their own weight. After the tea is brought it, it is hand rolled, which breaks down cell walls to allow the start of oxidation. Finally, the tea leaves are then fired to preserve the current, ideal oxidation state. This produces the ideal black tea, which is then packaged and sent here to Cleveland, before being hand packed so only the best leaves reach you, the final drinker. In the 20th century, a new method for tea production came about called CTC manufacturing. CTC stands for Crush, Tear, Curl. It means leave are put through mechanical rollers, in bulk, that cut, crush, and tea into small pieces. This mechanization is certainly more efficient, but does so at the expense of flavor and taste that the old world method contains. Irish Breakfast blends are stronger and more robust than their British counterparts. Because of the chilly climate, and yeoman's work associated with the Emerald Isle, a strong cup of tea was needed. Additionally, reliance on the dairy industry in old Ireland made a black tea that pairs well with milk an important option. This Irish Breakfast loose leaf blend is no exception. It is hearty and strong, and pairs well with a cup of fresh milk. It has a good dose of caffeine to get your day started, but sips well anytime. If you are looking for something a little stronger than the typical English Breakfast tea, Irish Breakfast will be the perfect cup to try!