So when a press release dropped in my inbox from a company claiming that its tea was exactly that, you could colour me intrigued.
With my reputation as the Echo’s tea-drinker-in-chief on the line, I decided I was the one to put it to the test.
First, about the tea itself. Despite drinking a frankly unhealthy amount of tea over the years, Birchall was not a brand I was familiar with.
The company doesn’t have the household-name recognition of some supermarket staples, which made its claim all the more intriguing.
The Virunga Earl Grey was my favourite (Image: Ryan Evans)
Dig a little deeper, though, and it’s clear Birchall is no newcomer. The independent, family-run company traces its roots back more than 150 years and remains in the hands of the Graham family, who have been involved in the tea trade for generations.
Its flagship Great Rift blend has just picked up its 16th consecutive Great Taste Award, and more than 100 in total.
Plenty of food and drink brands enjoy a moment as the nation’s snack-time sweetheart before dissolving into obscurity like a biscuit you’ve dunked in your tea for too long. Having missed this brand for this long, I was intrigued to see if its cuppa really was the best in Britain.
I tried a variety of Birchall tea including the signature Great Rift, alongside some intriguing other varieties – a rich Tanzanian tea called Serengeti, Green Tea & Peach, and Lemongrass & Ginger.
On my first sip of a cup of the Great Rift Tea, I was immediately surprised. There was none of the heaviness or sourness I’d sadly become used to with the cheaper breakfast teas.
The blend is made using teas sourced from East Africa, which, according to Birchall, gives it a distinctive brightness. Whatever the reason, it certainly makes for an enjoyable brew, full of flavour while crisp and clean.
But the one which really stood out to me was Birchall’s Virunga Earl Grey, a twist on my personal favourite. It takes a slightly different approach from the Earl Grey I and most tea drinkers will be familiar with.
Rather than relying solely on the distinctive citrus hit of bergamot, it combines a bright East African black tea with floral notes from blue cornflowers, creating a lighter and more fragrant brew.
The result is an Earl Grey that feels fresh and easy to drink, while still retaining the unmistakable citrus character.
My wife, on the other hand, was really taken by the Green Tea & Peach. A blend of traditional green tea, real fruit pieces and marigold flowers, it’s a sweeter and more approachable cup than many green teas, which I’d largely steered away from until now.
The aroma hits you as soon as you open the fully-recyclable packet. In the cup, the fruit adds a natural sweetness and was much smoother and easier to drink than many of the green teas which had put me off before now.
So, is Birchall really the best tea in the UK? Well, I probably have a few more cups to drink before I can settle that debate, a challenge I’m very willing to accept.
One thing is for sure, however, and that is that Great Rift is one of the most enjoyable everyday teas I’ve tried. That alone is probably enough to ensure its place as a go-to in my tea cupboard.
