We're not here to tell you how to make tea, you've been doing that since you were tall enough to reach the kettle. But brewing rolled whole leaf tea is a slightly different affair from your average supermarket bag.

Since a few of you have asked how to get the most out of our Colombian Breakfast Tea, here's your unofficial, very official brewing guide.

What is Colombian Black Tea?

Our Colombian Breakfast Tea comes from the misty cloud forests of the Andes, grown at altitudes of 1,800-2,050 metres. Volcanic soil, steady rainfall, and cool mountain air combine to create the perfect growing conditions for an exceptional single-origin black tea.

Most breakfast teas are a mix of crushed leaves from various countries. This isn't that. Ours is 100% Colombian and proudly single-origin. Each oversized tea bag holds over three grams of whole rolled leaves and golden tips, not the dusty fragments you'll find elsewhere.

Is Single-Origin Tea Better?

When it comes to breakfast teas, single-origin offers something special: consistency, traceability, and distinctive character. Unlike blends that mix teas from India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka, our Colombian Breakfast captures the unique terroir of the Andes in every cup.

You can taste the difference in every sip.

The Supply Chain Advantage of Single-Origin Tea

Most breakfast teas are cobbled together from leaves grown thousands of miles apart in countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya. This approach creates a mountain of complex supply chains, multiple middlemen, and significant travel distances just to make a cheaper, stronger brew.

We've taken a different path with our Colombian Breakfast for several important reasons:

• Simplified traceability: With one source, we know exactly where our tea comes from and how it's grown

• Reduced carbon footprint: Fewer transport routes means less environmental impact compared to blends from multiple continents

• Closer relationships: Working with a single garden allows us to build meaningful connections with growers

• Ethical transparency: It's significantly easier to verify fair labour practices at one location versus juggling multiple sources

• Consistent quality control: With a single origin, we can maintain higher standards throughout the process

While our tea still travels to reach your cup (we're not growing tea in rainy Britain just yet), the simplified supply chain makes a meaningful difference in both quality and environmental impact.

Best Way to Brew Black Tea: Colombian Edition

1. Why Use Fresh Water for Tea?

Always use cold, freshly drawn water (not reboiled stuff from earlier). The oxygen helps unlock the full flavour of the leaves, creating a brighter, more vibrant cup. Reboiled water has less oxygen, resulting in a flatter taste.

2. Take a Moment

Look at your hands. How great is it to have fingers today? Can't hold a mug with hooves. Let tea be a tiny act of mindfulness, something you actually taste and enjoy, not just gulp between emails.

3. How Long to Steep Black Tea?

3-4 minutes is the sweet spot. That gives the leaves enough time to unfurl and release their full character. Go shorter for something brighter. Go longer if you like it strong, but don't go too long or you'll hit tannin territory (aka bitter-vile).

4. Is Colombian Tea Good with Milk?

Totally up to you. Colombian Breakfast holds its own with milk, malty, rich, smooth, but it's just as delicious black. Try both and find your favourite. Unlike some delicate teas that lose their character with milk, our Colombian Breakfast tea maintains its robust flavour profile either way.

How to Get the Most Flavour from Tea

• Shorter steep (2-3 mins) - Brighter, more fruit-forward notes with subtle cocoa

• Longer steep (4-5 mins) - Deeper maltiness, rounder body, and a honey-like sweetness

It's all in the timing.

Can You Reuse Tea Bags?

Most teas can't handle a second round. This one can.

Because of the minimal processing and quality of the leaves, you can re-steep your bag (yep, even a bag). Brew the second cup for 4-5 minutes and you'll get a smoother, more delicate version with natural sweetness.

Two cups from one bag? Go on then.

Benefits of Whole Leaf Tea vs Broken Leaf Tea

The difference between whole leaf and broken leaf (or worse, dust) isn't just about sounding fancy. The science is clear on why whole leaf matters:

• Richer flavour chemistry: Research published in the Journal of Food Science found whole leaf teas contain up to 50% more catechins (beneficial compounds) than broken leaf varieties. These compounds contribute significantly to taste and mouthfeel.

• Controlled release: Whole leaves release their flavour compounds gradually, resulting in a more balanced, complex cup. Studies in Food Chemistry confirm whole leaf teas have a more controlled extraction rate compared to the rapid release that occurs in broken leaves and dust.

• Less bitterness: When tea leaves are broken, they expose more surface area, causing tannins to release rapidly—leading to that harsh, bitter taste. Whole leaves unfurl slowly, releasing fewer bitter compounds.

• Multiple infusions: Because whole leaves don't exhaust their flavour compounds in one go, you can steep them multiple times. Each infusion reveals different aspects of the tea's character—something impossible with dust-filled bags.

• Aroma preservation: Analysis in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows whole leaf teas retain more volatile aroma compounds that contribute to complex flavour. Many of these compounds are lost during the crushing process for lower-grade teas.

• Balanced caffeine: Whole leaf tea releases caffeine more gradually than broken leaf, potentially providing a more balanced energy boost without the crash.

Our oversized tea bags give these whole leaves room to expand and unfurl, something that's impossible in standard tea bags. That extra space isn't just for show—it's essential for proper extraction.

Is Colombian Tea Ethical?

Our Colombian Breakfast is grown in the country's only organic tea garden, high in the Andes. Half of the land is preserved as protected rainforest, supporting incredible biodiversity and sustainable farming.

Even better? The garden funds education, infrastructure, and cultural projects in the local community. So every cup does a little good in the world.

This is the kind of tea that inspired us to launch Big Tea, tea that tastes brilliant, makes a difference, and helps you start your day right.

Colombian Breakfast Tea Flavour Profile

• Malty sweetness

• Vibrant fruity notes

• Hint of cocoa

• Long, satisfying finish

Thanks to the high-altitude growing conditions, this tea delivers rich flavour and smooth complexity without the bitterness. It's bold but balanced, your new go-to morning brew.

Difference Between English Breakfast and Colombian Breakfast Tea

While traditional English Breakfast blends typically combine Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas for a robust, malty cup that stands up to milk and sugar, our Colombian Breakfast offers a single-origin alternative with:

• More complex flavour notes including fruit and cocoa

• Smoother finish with less astringency

• Consistent character from cup to cup

• Full body without the harshness some English Breakfast blends can have