Latest news with #EnglishBreakfast
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
UK's best supermarket sausages ranked by British shoppers and it's not Richmond
A survey conducted by Which? has named the number one place to get the best sausages for the best price, and it's not from a well-known brand, but your local supermarket. The best UK supermarket sausages have been named by shoppers, and you'd be shocked to find out that's not Richmond or Heck despite their well-known brand names. Sausages are a staple when it comes to British cuisine, and they're seen in a lot of classic dishes, such as the English Breakfast or the iconic 'Pigs in blankets'. But, which ones are the best in the market? In a survey conducted by Which?, 65 people blind tasted several sausages from brands like Heck, The Black Farmer and The Jolly Hog, as well as supermarket own-branded products, including Lidl, Sainsbury's and Morrisons. The verdict was based on the appearance, aroma, texture and most importantly, the flavour. After comparing each brand in a random order, the panel gave their final results - and they were quite surprising. Which is the best supermarket sausage in the UK? Lidl's Deluxe Pork Sausages took the lead with a total of 77% in satisfaction. Not only were they named the 'Best Buy' option, but they were also one of cheapest products from the test, costing £2.49 for 400g. Which? said: 'Almost everyone loved their juiciness, and the majority thought the meaty flavour was perfect. The herb and spice season also hit the spot with many of our tasters, with most of our panel also approving of the texture and salt levels.' However, it was also revealed that Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's were also chosen on several occasions, putting them as the second and third-best contestants. The downside about these brands is that they're much pricier than the ones in Lidl. Although it's a 51p difference, Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Pork Sausage lost points on its presentation despite its high points on flavour, seasoning and texture. On the other hand, M&S 's Collection British Outdoor Bred Pork Sausages, one of the most expensive products, had mixed reactions in terms of seasoning. In the last place was the popular brand Heck, which scored a total of 54% in overall satisfaction, proving that quality and price don't always match. The site wrote: 'These pale sausages may be low in saturated fat, but they're also low on our rankings. Some of our tasters thought they lacked pork flavour and would benefit from more seasoning.' In conclusion, Lidl has outdone it once again and proved to have the best quality at the best price. It's important to note that Lidl's sausages are high in saturated fat. As advised by the NHS, men shouldn't have more than 30g of saturated fat, and women shouldn't consume more than 20g per day.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Major supermarket launches wedding gift list featuring ‘weekly shop' items including bin liners and toilet roll
Scroll down for the full list of wedding bundles A MAJOR supermarket has launched a wedding gift list featuring a selection of weekly shop items that includes bin liners and toilet rolls. The store said it launched its new service in response to the "real needs of modern couples across the UK" as they navigated their first year of marriage. Advertisement 3 A major supermarket has launched a wedding gift list featuring a selection of weekly shop items that includes bin liners and toilet rolls Credit: Alamy 3 Couples felt that rising living costs meant they would prefer more practical gifts Credit: Getty 3 The service from Tesco offers six wedding bundles Credit: Alamy The service, available from Tesco on the wedding registry site Prezola, offers couples a range of packages covering everything from everyday essentials to more expensive Tesco Finest products. The bundles have been curated by Married At First Sight expert Mel Shilling and include items like shower gel, bin bags and toothpaste. Tesco admitted that it might not seem the most romantic option, but the supermarket explained it's what modern couples want. And their research shows that 2 in 5 couples are ditching items typically associated with wish lists, like fine china in favour of more practical items. Advertisement Only 40% of engaged or recently married couples wanted fine china and 10% wanted crockery or towels. While 18% would choose to have their weekly shop taken care of for a year. Nearly half of the engaged or recently married couples Tesco surveyed said this was mainly due to rising living costs. The supermarket found 63% of couples felt the financial implications of their wedding day caused them stress, with it taking an average of a year to pay off. Advertisement And 82% of them said they would prefer to use wedding gifts to help recoup costs after the day. While 93% said having a stockpile of everyday essential products would help them reduce their monthly outgoings. Beauty fans race to their local supermarket for fake tan holy grail as prices are slashed from £13 to less than £3 A Tesco spokeswoman said: 'Our research has shown that it is the little things that matter most to couples. "Whether it is hearing about your partner's day over a cuppa and a biscuit, sharing the chores or making time for a dine-in date night. Advertisement "While toilet roll and teabags might not immediately seem like the most romantic option. Tesco's New Wedding Bundles The Tesco wedding service offers couples six packages covering everything from everyday essentials to Tesco Finest products. The I Love Brew Bundle - £39 Tesco Finest 80 English Breakfast Tea Bags 250g x 3 Tesco Finest 80 Earl Grey Tea Bags 200g x 3 Tesco Finest Gold Loose Leaf Tea 250G x 3 Tesco Finest Milk Chocolate Florentines 105g x 3 Tesco Finest Free From White Chocolate & Cranberry Cookies 150g x 3 The Really Useful Stuff Bundle - £63 Tesco Luxury Soft Toilet Tissue 12 Double Rolls x 5 Tesco Essentials Cavity Protect Toothpaste 100Ml x 2 Tesco Extra Strong Drawstring Refuse Sacks 50 Litre 20 Pack x 2 Tesco Kitchen Towel 4 Roll x 2 Tesco Extracts Magnolia Antibacterial Handwash 500ml x 2 Tesco Extracts Shampoo - Apple 500ml x 2 Tesco Extracts Tropical Conditioner 500Ml x 2 Tesco Extracts Pink Pink Grapefruit & Basil Shower Gel 500Ml x 2 The Sweets For My Sweet Bundle - £66 Tesco Finest Peru Dark Chocolate x 5 Tesco Finest Dine In Melt in The Middle Chocolate Fondants 310g x 5 Tesco Tiramisu 2 x 85g x 5 Tesco Sticky Toffee Puddings 2 Pack 235g x 5 Tesco Finest Madagascan Vanilla Ice Cream 480ml x 5 The Dine-in Dates Bundle - £72 Tesco Finest Dine In Al Forno Lasagne 700g x 3 Tesco Finest Dine In Golden-baked Potato Dauphinoise 400g x 3 Tesco Finest Sauvignon Blanc 75Cl x 3 Tesco Finest Dine In Mixed Berry Trifles 2x150G x 3 Tesco Finest Dine In 30 Day Matured British Ranch Steaks With Wild Garlic Butter 323G x 3 Tesco Finest Dine In Triple Cook Chips with Cornish Sea Salt 400g x 3 Tesco Finest Malbec 75Cl x 3 Tesco Finest Dine In Salted Caramel Profiteroles 6pk x 3 The Perfect Hosts Bundle - £95 Birra Moretti Lager Beer 18 x 330ml Tesco Finest English Sparkling Wine x 2 Spritzi Blood Orange Tesco Finest Pinot Grigio Blush Tesco Finest Pina Colada Mocktail 250ml Tesco Finest Mojito Mocktail 250ml Tesco Finest Passion Fruit Mocktail 250ml Tesco Finest Floreal The A Toast To Love Bundle - £156 Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne x 3 Tesco Finest Premier Cru Rose Champagne x 3 "It's clear from our research that these are the products that could help to get married life off to a brilliant start." The supermarket is offering newlyweds six bundles to choose from until 18 November. This includes - the really useful stuff - bundle which covers everyday essentials for six months, including toilet roll, toothpaste, bin bags and bathroom products for £63. Advertisement Tesco is also offering couples a - dine-in date - bundle, which costs £72, and for the tea-lovers an - I love brew - bundle for £39. There is also the pricier - the toast to love - bundle, which costs £156, which includes six of Tesco's finest premier champagnes. The average wedding now costs £23,250 and Mafs Mel said: "'Having the basics taken care of can help build the foundations of a relationship. "Allowing couples more time to focus on each other and get their married life off to a great start." Advertisement Censuswide surveyed 2,001 engaged or newly married respondents between May 2-7.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
UK supermarket own brands beating big labels with Heinz and Lurpak snubbed
In different surveys conducted by Which?, a group of blindfolded tasters ranked the supermarket-own labels and branded products based on four factors, with the final results shocking shoppers. Swapping popular big-brand products for cheaper supermarket own-label products can not only save you a lot of money over time, but sometimes, these products taste better than the pricey ones. In a few blind-taste surveys conducted by Which?, products like butter to ketchup got ranked by a group of tasters based on appearance (20%), aroma (15%), texture (15%), and, most importantly, the flavour (50%). Each product was given in a random order, so the panel didn't know what brand they were trying until the end. If you're looking to save some pennies whilst still getting the most unbeatable flavours, we've gathered a list of some grocery essentials that have been highly rated for their taste but cost less money. Supermarket labels vs Branded labels Butter When it comes to butter, you'd be surprised to find out that it's not Lurpak, Danpak or the iconic Président. After a total of 67 people blind-tasted which butter was the best out of all of them, it was revealed that Nordpark's Slightly Salted butter was the best product when it came to price and taste. Found in Aldi, the best thing about it is that it costs less than half of Lurpak. Shoppers can get their hands on the product for £2.18 for a 500g can. Baked beans Baked beans are a staple in British culture and a must-have in dishes such as the iconic English Breakfast. After 66 blindfolded tasters compared the big brands to the smaller brands, the results revealed that Heinz's famous Baked Beans were beaten by Aldi's Bramwells Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce. At 41p for a 410g can, Aldi's baked beans are top in quality and price. If you purchase two tins a week, switching from Heinz's brand to Aldi's baked beans can save you over £100 a year. Tea Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the UK, with the average Brit drinking two to three cups of tea a day. After comparing a total of 12 brands, supermarket-label and branded ones, Asda 's Everyday Tea Bags took the lead, beating the well-known PG Tips. Scoring high points for smell, appearance, and colour, Asda's Everyday Tea Bags cost £1.20 for 80 bags. Cottage pie Cottage pie is also a very popular dish, especially as a classic family comfort food. In the search of wanting to find the best cottage pie, the final results concluded that Aldi's Specially Selected Gastro Cottage Pie was the top contestant, tasting better and costing less than Charlie Bigham's Cottage Pie. Although it does seem to cost quite a lot of money, priced at £3.59 for 400g, the quantity and quality of the product make it so worth it. Sweet chilli crisps Looking for a quick snack? The go-to sweet chilli crisps seem to be Walkers Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli Crisps, however, you'd be surprised to know that there's a better and much cheaper option. Tesco 's Finest Thai Inspired Sweet Chilli Crisps impressed with both flavour and texture, and the best thing is that they cost less than half the price. Shoppers can fulfil their cravings for £1.15 for a 150g bag. Roast potatoes Roast potatoes are a must-have for a Sunday Roast and also work well as a side dish. Instead of making them from scratch, it's good to have some frozen ones for whenever you're in a rush. Brands like McCain's Frozen Triple Cooked Roast Potatoes are the most popular. However, Aldi's Specially Selected Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes took the lead by far, scoring high points for flavour and crispy texture. They also cost £2.59 for 1kg, which is a bargain! Veggie burgers If you're looking to stock up on some veggie burgers, there's no need to spend money on bigger brands like Birds Eye. Aldi's Plant Menu Vegetable Burgers and Sainsbury's Plant Pioneer Vegetable Quarter Pounders taste just as good (and even better), and they're way cheaper. Both cost £1.69 for 454g, making them a good choice for shoppers looking for a flavoursome plant-based burger that isn't necessarily expensive. Ice cream cones The warm weather is making us all crave some ice cream! Cornetto's are a go-to and freezer favourite, but it was found that a supermarket-own brand beat the flavour and, of course, the price. Lidl 's Bon Gelati Ice Cream Cones, costing £1.99 for six 120ml ice creams—which is 33p per cone—became the top favourite ice cream for its sweetness and creaminess. Shockingly, Cornetto became the least favourite brand during the blindfolded taste test.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tom Cruise reveals the VERY surprising food which fuels him for his heart-stopping Mission Impossible stunts
He's wowed Mission Impossible fans for years with his daring stunts and heart-stopping action sequences across seven films in the series. And now, ahead of the franchise's eighth movie, Tom Cruise has revealed the food that has kept him going into his 60s - and it's not the health advice you might expect. He explained that he fuels himself with massive English breakfasts, often including more than 10 eggs, The Mirror reports. The star, 62, said: 'I actually eat a massive breakfast. 'The amount of energy it takes - I train so hard for that wing-walking. I'll eat, like, sausage and almost a dozen eggs and bacon and toast and coffee and fluids. 'Oh, I'm eating! Picture: It's cold up there. We're at high altitude. My body is burning a lot.' He joins a host of actors who have tucked into eggs while preparing for big roles, including Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Mark Wahlberg, who admitted to regularly eating a dozen of them while filming Father Stu. Tom's English culinary inspiration is hardly surprising since he has long been a fan of the country, filming many of the series' blockbuster movies while in London, where he has a property. And he was back in the capital over the weekend, attending David Beckham's star-studded 50th birthday party at Michelin-starred restaurant Core in Notting Hill alongside his new girlfriend Ana de Armas. The Top Gun icon seemingly arrived on his own at the swanky celebrations on Saturday night, but hours later the facade dropped as he was spotted leaving in a car with the actress, 37. The couple made an effort to hide their relationship as they left the venue in the early hours shielded by umbrellas, before ducking behind the car seats as they sat together in the back of the vehicle. While they were trying to conceal their appearance together, bleary-eyed Tom appeared to find the whole thing quite amusing as he was spotted laughing and smiling as their sneaky moment was caught on camera. Ana, who was wearing an elegant strappy black dress, meanwhile kept her head down as she avoided being photographed with Tom, but the game was well and truly up when she was also seen in the background of a photo posted after the event. Earlier in the evening, Tom made a low-key arrival at the celebration, following a series of reports that his girlfriend Ana was also invited to the star-studded night. Tom was in London over the weekend, attending David Beckham's star-studded 50th birthday party at Michelin-starred restaurant Core in Notting Hill Instead, Tom appeared to arrive solo, spotted sitting in the back of a black cab as he pulled up to the exclusive venue. She had joined Tom in London earlier this week as they both jetted into the capital ahead of Ana's own birthday on April 30. For the Beckham party, Tom looked dapper in a crisp white tuxedo jacket, paired with black trousers and a classic black bow tie. The Hollywood legend briefly chatted with security before being ushered inside, as staff attempted to shield the entrance of the event with large black umbrellas. Top Gun actor Tom forged a close friendship with power couple David and Victoria in the early 2000s. He made an appearance at Victoria's milestone 50th birthday last year. Tom and Ana have been linked together since Valentine's Day this year. They appeared to confirm their love affair is real as they flew into London together this week, just days before her 37th birthday. In exclusive photos obtained by the Daily Mail, Hollywood icon Tom looked giddy as he piloted a helicopter into the UK capital with the brunette actress by his side. Reprising his role as the titular hero Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible, Tom takes on his biggest mission yet, after a tense cliffhanger saw the spy determined to track down cyber weapon The Entity and learning that his team was betrayed and his 'secrets compromised.' The film, which has faced multiple delays, is finally due to hit cinemas on May 23 2025. On Thursday, he couldn't contain his excitement as he stepped on stage for a press conference in Korea ahead of the new movie. The actor joined his co-stars to promote the highly-anticipated eighth film in the franchise at the Lotte Tower in Jamsil, Seoul. It marked Tom's twelfth visit to the country for a movie, with his first visit in 1994 with Interview with the Vampire. Dressed in an all-black ensemble, he gushed: 'Movies are my dream, and coming to Korea is the same. 'It was my dream to come to Korea a long time ago. I can't believe it's already the 12th time I've achieved it. I wonder if it's real. 'It also means that the movie life has been that long. I'm proud to share this work with Korean fans once again, which is a dream and a whole goal of life.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The best black tea to brew in 2025, according to testers and experts
Especially in the U.S., black tea is one of the most underrated beverages. While coffee often steals the spotlight for its bold flavor and caffeine kick, the best black tea quietly offers a complex range of tastes, health benefits and rich traditions that earn it a permanent spot in your pantry. Besides its caffeine content, black tea is known for being rich in antioxidants, which help protect your cells from free radicals and oxidative stress. "Black tea leaves are an excellent source of polyphenols, a family of compounds that have been linked to a variety of health benefits," says Amanda Sauceda, MS, RD. For instance, they've been shown to help lower insulin resistance, support brain health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Sauceda adds that polyphenols may also support gut health by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Brewing a cup may even be beneficial for your bones, too. Whether you're a tea novice or a seasoned enthusiast, part of the beauty of black tea is that it comes in many forms, so there really is an option for everyone. From the brisk and malty Assam to the fragrant and smooth Darjeeling, there's no shortage of black teas to suit your taste. We spoke with two dietitians and two tea experts to better understand the benefits and different types of black tea. From there, I put 16 teas to the test to find the best options for your morning brew. If you're feeling thirsty and ready for a cuppa, continue reading for our picks of the best black teas in 2025. Whether you're a fan of classic blends like English Breakfast, or prefer the smoky intensity of Lapsang Souchong, there's a black tea for every palate. Here's a quick look at some of the most popular types of black teas. Assam: Native to the Assam region of India, this tea is known for its larger leaves. Susan Kelly, owner of Temecula Spice & Tea Merchants, based in Temecula, California explains that Assam is often used to make CTC (crush, tear, curl) tea for bags. In this process, the leaves are crushed, torn and curled into small, uniform pieces, ideal for quick steeping and strong, brisk brews. Assam's bold flavor makes it a key ingredient in spiced tea blends like chai. It's also the main tea found in Irish Breakfast blends. Darjeeling: Darjeeling, often called the "champagne of tea," is grown at high elevations in Darjeeling, India. "This area produces a flavor profile unlike any other tea-growing region in the world," says Kelly. Prized for its distinctive muscatel flavor, Darjeeling is a favorite among tea enthusiasts who appreciate its delicate yet complex taste. English Breakfast: This very popular black tea blend can vary in its exact makeup but generally is a full-bodied blend with origins in East Africa, Ceylon and Assam. Earl Grey: This classic breakfast tea is known for its notes of bergamot oil, which is found in the rind of the bergamot orange — a zesty complement to black tea's bold flavor. Ceylon: Originating in the highlands of Sri Lanka, this black tea is known for being especially rich in antioxidants. It has a bold, full-body flavor with a hint of citrus and a smooth finish. Yunnan: "The tea from this region, also known as Dian Hong, comes from older tea bushes," says Kelly. This tea offers a delicious depth of flavor that's often described as caramel- or honey-like. Keemun: In the West, this tea is known as Keemun, but in China, it's called Qi Men Hong Cha, meaning "red tea from Qi Men. "Qi Men is a township in An Hui Province, part of the greater Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain) region, renowned for producing teas with a savory, elegant flavor profile, reflecting the unique characteristics of its terroir. Keemun is very aromatic with notes of rose and honey," explains Richard Kligler, founder of All the Tea in Charleston, South Carolina. Lapsang Souchong: This tea comes from Fujian Province, China or Taiwan. "It is a fully oxidized black tea that's been smoked over pine or fir wood. Depending on the length of time in a smoking shed and the initial flavor of the tea itself, the smoky intensity will vary," says Kelly. Nilgiri: "From an elevation of 8,202 feet, these tea bushes thrive because of the perfect growing conditions. This allows the tea to be grown virtually all year round," says Kelly. She also explains that the best harvest comes from leaves plucked from December to March, as the cold air allows the flavor to fully develop. "Like the Assam leaves and all-year growing season, this tea is commonly used for the CTC method," adds Kelly. Dian Hong: Dian Hong is known for its notes of rose, cocoa and dark honey. "Dian Hong is a relative newcomer to the red tea scene and was created in 1939. It is currently the most popular black tea in China. It was initially developed in Feng Qing in Yunnan Province and is now produced throughout the province. Dian Hong is a big leaf varietal with a string shape," explains Kligler. There are numerous factors to consider to ensure your brew offers the quality and flavor profile that you're looking for. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind when shopping for black tea. Leaf grade: Leaf grade is determined based on the size, shape and final crafting of the processed and dried tea leaves, though exact rubrics vary by region. According to Kligler, the Chinese system is a reliable standard. "The Chinese tea grading system is usually numbered, and the lower the number, the higher the grade, with '1' being the highest. The grade does not have an upper number, though it is usually not higher than 7 or 9. The grading does not include the quality of the taste of the tea," he explains. Growing region/origin: Just like wine or coffee, the growing region greatly affects the flavor and nutritional profile of black tea. Blends vs. single origin: Many products feature a blend of teas, rather than just a single type. Compared to single-origins, these teas tend to be more complex in flavor and offer a consistent taste across harvests. English Breakfast is a good example of a blend. However, some people prefer the distinct characteristics of a specific tea type, making single-origin teas a better fit. Additionally, single-origin teas may offer a greater level of transparency, allowing you to know exactly where your tea came from and how it was processed. Packaging options: "If purchasing loose-leaf black tea, I prefer it packaged in tins. For individual black teabags, I recommend looking for those made from compostable materials or unbleached paper to avoid plastics and other chemicals leaching into your tea," says Megan Huff, RD, LD of Nutrition by Megan. Teabags vs. loose leaf: Tea in a box with paper teabags is often CTC (cut-tear-curl) or broken tea leaves. "The best flavor comes from whole tea leaves. Flavor and quality degrade as the leaves get broken, torn and cut into smaller pieces. 'Dust in a bag' does not equal premium Orthodox tea," says Kelly. That isn't to say you can't find high-quality black tea teabags — it might just be more challenging than shopping for loose leaf. Another consideration is ease of brewing. Loose-leaf tea requires a tea infuser or reusable teabags, which isn't as convenient as simply plopping a pre-filled teabag into a mug. Certifications: If sustainability or organic initiatives are important to you, look for teas with certifications like USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified or Rainforest Alliance Certified. Price: Prices vary depending on the quality of the tea leaf, when it was harvested and the skill level of the master blender. "Premium tea may be sourced from a single estate, picked during the 'first flush,' dried whole. [It's often] unblended and sold pure. Lesser quality tea may be picked during the 'last flush' (late season), cut into smaller pieces and blended with lesser quality leaves," explains Kelly. Brands: While you can certainly find a good-quality brand at the grocery store or big-box stores like Target, visiting a specialty tea store or tea house is a great way to learn about new brands and maybe get to sample a cup or two."[By shopping at a specialty store,] you should find staff who are enthusiastic about their product, knowledgeable and willing to educate you about your purchase," says Kelly. Many stores will have a private label. "This is a good practice because it usually means the merchant has hand-selected each tea and stands behind their product," she adds. For this review, we consulted two tea experts and two registered dietitians to discuss the health benefits of black tea and key factors to consider when buying it. As someone who has been drinking tea regularly for years, I know what I like and have tried countless brands and products. By combining my experience with our experts' insights, I narrowed the testing pool down to 16 black teas. Over the course of several weeks, each tea was prepared according to the instructions on its packaging and evaluated based on its ease of brewing, aroma and flavor profile. When determining the "winner" for each category, I also considered the origin and quality of the tea leaves, the packaging and the cost to determine each tea's overall value. The amount of caffeine in black tea varies depending on the type of tea and how long it's brewed for. On average, one 8-ounce cup of black tea has 47 mg of caffeine — about half the amount of coffee. "This makes black tea a nice option for those who want to decrease their caffeine intake but still want a little boost," says Sauceda. Water temperature and steep time are the most important factors to brew black tea properly. Unless recommended otherwise by the brand, Kelly recommends heating your water to 190–200°F (just below boiling). Next, add you teabag or infuser into your mug and pour the hot water over the tea. Let it steep for 3–5 minutes, remove the teabag or infuser and add milk, sugar or lemon juice to taste. Another tip for a perfect brew? "Begin with the best quality water available," advises Kelly. Tap water contains minerals and chlorine, which can give tea an unnatural flavor. Instead, use filtered water (when possible) to fill your kettle. A good rule of thumb is 1 tsp of loose-leaf tea per 8 oz. of water. "Be mindful of the size of your cup because if you feel like your tea is weak your cup might be holding more water than you think," says Sauceda, who loves making lattes with black tea. "The trick to making your latte taste like you bought it is to ensure your tea is good quality and brewed strong. I will sometimes use a little more loose-leaf tea or do a longer brew time to get a stronger flavor. This way, when I add my milk, it doesn't dilute the taste," she adds. Tea should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry area. "Tin, ceramic or stainless steel is optimal. Black tea will last 1 to 2 years when stored properly. If it contains any spices or fruits, it will degrade sooner," says Kelly. Huff explains that the biggest difference between black tea and other types of tea, like green or white, is that the leaves are fully oxidized during processing, resulting in darker-colored leaves with a higher caffeine content. Besides color and caffeine, black tea's flavor also sets it apart, typically having a stronger, more malty flavor than other varieties. "Both black and green tea contain antioxidants; however, black tea is richer in theaflavins, while green tea is high in catechins," Huff says. While the exact concentration and types of antioxidant differ, most tea is a good source of these mighty plant-based compounds. Absolutely. Many people add milk or sugar to make black tea less bitter. "Some tea, like English Breakfast, especially lends itself to using milk because it helps to cut the tannins that naturally occur in black tea," says Kelly. Four Sigmatic Focus Organic Black Tea: This scoop-based instant black tea is calming and full of potential health benefits, thanks to lion's mane mushroom extract and L-theanine. Organic monk fruit extract and lemon juice round out the ingredient list, providing a boost of flavor with zero added sugar. That said, reviews on the taste are mixed, and it isn't cheap. It's also important to note that lion's mane may cause mild GI side effects in some people and isn't recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have auto-immune diseases or are taking certain prescription medications. Clipper Tea Decaf Black Tea: Featuring Fair Trade, naturally decaffeinated, organic Assam, this British-based tea is a great choice. The only potential downside is the flavor, which is a bit milder than what you'd expect from Assam tea. Harney & Sons Classic Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea: If we could give an award for best tin, this one would be it. Packaged in a beautiful white and orange tins, this tea is the perfect gift, especially during the cooler months. Thanks to a blend of black tea, cinnamon orange peel and sweet cloves, the tea is bursting with flavor. While it wouldn't be our go-to year-round, it's perfect for sipping on a crisp fall day. Twinings Lady Grey Black Tea: This reliable black tea is perfect for an afternoon cup during a break at the office. Its lovely citrus and herbal notes make it a pleasant choice. Stash Uplifting Double Bergamot Earl Grey: Another great Earl Grey option, this tea from Stash is widely available and has a lovely bergamot flavor with a bold finish. One of our testers reports, "It's a good, mild flavor, not too strong and an enjoyable cup of tea." E&E Tea Company Loose Leaf Black Tea: For fans of loose-leaf tea, this brand is worth considering. I impressed with the quality, freshness and taste of the tea. Plus, I appreciated that it's available in three sizes, making it easy to try a smaller amount before investing in a large bag. Megan Huff, RD, LD, founder of Nutrition by Megan Susan Kelly, owner of Temecula Spice & Tea Merchants, based in Temecula, Calif. Richard Kligler, founder of All the Tea in Charleston, S.C. Amanda Sauceda, MS, RD Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
