Irish Tea Brands: 5 Favorites to Try

Ireland is a country of tea lovers, and its teas are loved around the world. Here are some favorite Irish tea brands to try, whether you prefer the traditional Irish Breakfast Tea or something more unique. Plus, learn the traditional way to serve Irish breakfast tea and what to eat with your delicious Irish tea. Hint: Irish tea cakes, scones, soda bread, and more!

Irish Tea Brands: Irish Breakfast Tea

Irish Breakfast Tea is the most famous tea produced by Irish tea brands, although there are many other delicious Irish teas to try. In addition to traditional Irish Breakfast Tea, you can also find breakfast blends that are organic, decaffeinated, or loose leaf.

But what exactly is Irish breakfast tea? Most Irish breakfast tea blends are made from Assam tea leaves. Assam tea gets its name from the area where it is produced: Assam, in the northeastern corner of India. This tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and is known for its bright reddish color and malty flavor. Assam tea, like many teas, contains lots of antioxidants and offers many health benefits.

Irish breakfast tea blends also often include tea leaves from Kenya, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka. This blend is what gives Irish Breakfast tea its unique flavor and color.

So now that you’re familiar with Ireland’s most famous tea blend, let’s get started on our tour of Irish tea brands.

Barry’s Tea

Barry’s Tea, one of the most famous Irish tea brands, was founded in Cork in 1901 by James J. Barry. This family business produces teas that are Rainforest Alliance Certified and packaged in recyclable tea boxes. In addition to traditional Irish tea blends, Barry’s also offers a variety of green teas and tea infusions.

Suggested teas include:

• Barry’s Tea Gold Blend — a blend of teas sourced from Rwanda, Kenya, and Indian’s Assam Valley. This tea also comes as loose leaf if you prefer.
• Barry’s Irish Breakfast Tea – a brisk Irish breakfast tea with a blend of leaves from Assam and Africa
• Barry’s Tea Earl Grey – a classic blend of black tea and bergamot
• Barry’s Tea Decaf Blend – A full-flavored decaf tea made with the same high-quality leaves as the gold blend

Lyons Tea

Lyons Tea is a popular tea brand based in Dublin. All Lyons teas are sustainably sourced and Rainforest Alliance Certified.

Some recommended teas:

• Lyons Original Blend – Lyons very first blend, a bright reddish-gold made with the finest tea leaves.
• Lyons Gold Blend – A robust blend of Kenyan, Assam, and Ceylon teas. Also available as loose leaf tea.

Thompson’s Tea (Punjana)

Thompson’s Tea was founded in Belfast in 1896. Now run by the fourth generation of Thompsons, the family is still actively involved in selecting, tasting, and approving each tea.

Favorite teas include:

• Thompson’s Punjana – their signature, award-winning tea, featuring a special blend of tea leaves from Assam and Kenya.
• Thompson’s Irish Breakfast Blend – a blend of Assam leaves with teas from Mount Kenya
• Thompson’s Titanic Tea – this blend of Assam and Kenyan tea is a tribute to the many workers who built the Titanic (and drank Thompson’s tea, made in a warehouse nears the docks of Belfast)
• Thompson’s Decaf Tea – an award-winning decaffeinated tea made with Second Flush Assam tea leaves, picked during peak growing months

Bewley’s Tea

Bewley’s was founded in Dublin in 1849, five years after Samuel Bewley and his son imported more than 2,000 chests of tea into Ireland. Today it is a leading Irish tea and coffee company. Bewley’s also has a tea cafe on Dublin’s famous Grafton Street. You can buy Bewley’s teas bagged or loose leaf.

• Bewley’s Irish Breakfast Tea – A lively blend of Assam and Darjeeling teas. Also available as loose leaf tea.
• Bewley’s Dublin Morning Tea – A stimulating morning tea for those looking for a little something different for breakfast.
• Bewley’s Irish Afternoon Tea – A blend of teas from Kenya and Rwanda with a fresh golden color. Loose leaf

Cupán Tae

Cupán Tae is Irish for “cup of tea.” This Galway-based tea shop offers afternoon tea in a cozy tea room and also sells and ships its premium teas around the world.

Some of their bestselling teas include:

• Dreamy Creamy Galway Tea – a blend of black tea, roasted coffee beans, and jasmine flowers.
• Emerald Isle Tea – a tea blend with whiskey, cocoa, and vanilla.
• Irish Breakfast Tea – a traditional blend of Assam leaves.
• Merlin’s Magic Elixir of Life – this unique, fruity blend combines apple bits, grapes, rosehip peels, lemon myrtle, marigold petals. In addition, this tea is certified organic and decaf.

Recipes that Go with Irish Tea

If you’re looking for something to eat while you sip your Irish tea, here are two good choices:

• Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread – Our gluten-free Irish soda bread offers a modern twist on the traditional Irish recipe. Using basic ingredients, you can quickly create a hearty, delicious loaf of bread. No yeast required!
• Guinness Treacle Bread – An Irish favorite for generations! This quick and easy bread pairs delicious treacle (similar to molasses) with an Irish favorite: Guinness beer.

Irish Tea Brands: Fun Facts and Trivia

Additional reporting from Joan Carlson Bardin, Cardamom Magazine Research Editor.