Anyone short on time at lunchtime
If your break is short, check the recommended brewing time and make sure you’ll have access to the hot water you need to make a cup.
Who are these tips for?
Fans of individually wrapped Earl Grey tea bags
If you’re after bergamot, choose a blend you like, then check the bag format for that exact product. A brand won’t necessarily offer all its teas in pyramid bags.
Those who check what’s in their tea
If you’re deciding between plain black tea and a flavoured blend, compare the ingredients rather than relying on the range name alone.
What should you check before choosing?
For a lunchtime brew at work, start with how much time you have, then check the format and blend you’re interested in.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing time | The recommended brewing time and amount of water for your chosen tea. | I want to make a cup during a short break without assuming a tea bag will brew instantly. Around 42% of consumers rank preparation time as their top priority. |
| Tea bag format | Whether the exact product is clearly labelled “pyramid tea bags”, and how many bags are included. | I’m specifically looking for a pyramid tea bag for my cup, and won’t assume its shape based on the brand or packaging. This format is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Blend and ingredients | The ingredients list and whether the tea contains flavourings. | When choosing between plain black tea and Earl Grey, I want the ingredients to match the flavour I’m after. Ingredients come first for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
-
Assuming a whole range or brand always uses pyramid tea bags
Retailer Bernard describes Lipton Exclusive Selection Earl Grey as a box of 25 pyramid tea bags. That doesn’t tell you what format other Lipton products come in.
Check the listing or packaging for the exact tea you’re planning to buy.
-
Confusing Earl Grey with plain black tea
Carrefour describes its Classic' English Breakfast as “100% black tea”, while Auchan says its organic Earl Grey contains 92% black tea and 8% natural bergamot flavouring.
If you don’t want added flavouring, read the ingredients list. If you’re after bergamot, check the blend of the Earl Grey you choose.
-
Thinking an individually wrapped tea bag needs no brewing time
Twinings France recommends brewing its Ceylon tea for 3 minutes in 200 ml of water at 95 °C. So even with an individually wrapped tea bag, you’ll still need to check the product instructions.
Make sure the brewing time fits your break, and plan how you’ll get hot water.
Brands to consider by blend
Lipton
The Exclusive Selection range includes an Earl Grey blend in pyramid tea bags.
- Retailer Bernard describes this product as a box of 25 pyramid tea bags containing black tea with bergamot.
- The tea bag format and “optimal brewing” claim described by the retailer don’t apply to all Lipton teas and aren’t an independent comparison.
Twinings
The range includes Ceylon, Earl Grey, English Breakfast and Darjeeling, so you can browse for the tea you prefer.
- Twinings France recommends brewing its Ceylon tea for 3 minutes in 200 ml of water at 95 °C.
- If you’re looking for pyramid tea bags, check the format of the exact product you’re interested in.
Kusmi Tea
Its organic Earl Grey Intense combines black tea, bergamot and lemon peel.
- Kusmi Tea offers this product in a box of 20 muslin tea bags.
- The term “muslin” doesn’t, on its own, confirm that the bags are pyramid-shaped.
Carrefour
A product to consider if you’re looking for a plain black tea blend in the English Breakfast style.
- Carrefour says its Classic' English Breakfast contains 100% black tea and comes in a box of 25 bags, each weighing 2 g.
- Check the bag shape separately if pyramid tea bags are one of your requirements.
Auchan
An organic Earl Grey in tea bags for anyone looking for a bergamot blend.
- Auchan says this 20-bag product contains 92% black tea and 8% natural bergamot flavouring.
- If you specifically want pyramid tea bags, check the format of the product you choose.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
Black tea bags to compare, depending on the blend you’re looking for.
- The E.Leclerc listing for Yate lemon black tea helps you identify a flavoured option rather than plain black tea.
- For this product, E.Leclerc advises contacting the relevant store to check availability. If the bag shape matters to you, check that too.
Tea bags to consider on Joybuy
This selection includes tea bags with a variety of blends. For a brew at work, first choose the flavour and pack size you want, then check the brewing instructions and bag format for each product.
Image unavailable
Lipton Earl Grey with Italian bergamot, 20 tea bags
If you’re after Earl Grey in tea bags for your break, this bergamot blend could be just what you’re looking for. Check the brewing instructions and bag format for the product you choose.
Image unavailable
Lipton vanilla and caramel black tea, 20 tea bags, 34 g
This blend is a good choice if you prefer vanilla and caramel to plain black tea. Check the brewing instructions to see whether they fit the length of your break.
Image unavailable
Lipton lemon black tea, 20 tea bags, 34 g
Worth considering if you’d like a lemon blend in individually wrapped tea bags. If you specifically want pyramid tea bags, check the product details before choosing.
Image unavailable
DAMMANN Earl Grey black tea, 24 tea bags, 48 g
If you prefer Earl Grey at work, compare the brewing instructions with the time you have available. If pyramid tea bags matter to you, check the format of this product.
Image unavailable
PG Tips tea bags, 240 tea bags, 696 g
This larger pack could be a good choice if you have enough storage space at work. Check the ingredients list and brewing instructions to make sure it suits your break.
Frequently asked questions
Will a pyramid tea bag always make a better brew than a standard one?
No. The shape alone doesn’t prove that one type is generally better. Retailer Bernard describes “optimal brewing” as a feature of the pyramid tea bag for Lipton Exclusive Selection Earl Grey. When choosing a product, consider its blend and brewing instructions too.
How long should I allow to make black tea at work?
Follow the recommended brewing time for your chosen tea and allow extra time to get hot water. As examples for their specific products, Twinings France recommends 3 minutes for its Ceylon tea, while Auchan suggests 2 to 3 minutes for its organic Earl Grey.
What should I look for on the label of packaged black tea?
Read the ingredients list to tell plain black tea apart from a flavoured blend. For prepacked food sold in France, the DGCCRF says allergenic ingredients must be highlighted. Check this information if it’s relevant to you.
Does a product listing for tea bags confirm they’re available in store?
Not necessarily. Check availability with the store where you plan to buy the product. For its Yate lemon black tea, E.Leclerc specifically advises customers to contact the relevant store.