A Test! A TEST!

A blind tasting test has been executed.

Aim : To find the one Breakfast Tea to rule them all, one Breakfast Tea to find them, one Breakfast Tea to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.

Hypothesis : We were somewhat nervous and could not imagine what the results would be. We very much hoped that there would be a noticeable difference between tea scrap filled bags and quality loose leaf tea, but were not sure.

Method : In the line up - 6 big name branded bagged teas and 4 loose leaf varieties, including our very own Quilliam Brothers Breakfast Blend ©™©©™™™™

Each tea was steeped in boiling water for 3 minutes, and given an official glug of milk.

Each cup had a number on it, which corresponded to a list that only we had access to.

A gaggle of thespians in 60's attire was gathered, supplied with a ballot paper and a pen, and asked to taste each tea. They then wrote down their top 3 teas and any comments they had.

We brothers found it surprisingly exciting, and very much enjoyed the accompanying banter and discussions.

This is the only photo that worked. It's not ideal.



Here are the Results :

10th - Twinings Breakfast Blend (Surprising, as they have a very nice box)
9th - Morrisons Organic (Organic DOESN'T mean good?! You learn something new every blog)
8th - Coop 99 (disappointing oh you ethical coop you)
7th - Ringtons (Aaaaaa, the good old days)
6th - Yorkshire Gold (Lots of people said it was too nnnghhhh, chhhhsshhhh, and other mouth noises)
5th - Pumphreys Loose Leaf Breakfast Blend (Great tea, great people)
4th - Tetleys (booo)

Medal Positions -

3rd - A Good Hungarian Tea House Blend (which we believe is almost identical to our tea.)
2nd - QUILLIAM BROTHERS BREAKFAST BLEND
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1st - Our New Super Delux Surprise Delish Blend (name is currently under discussion)



Conclusion : We were testing ONSDSDB as it was something a bit unusual. And to our delight it was received positively. But the thesps did mention that despite it's deliciousness, it wasn't very suitable for a builders tea as it was a touch too light and there was too much tea-y flavour. Which we very much agree with. So we will be selling it, but as a brunch tea, or evening tea, or elevensis tea, or something. We will let you know.

Yes, yes, those tea giants Tetley's did well, but we figure that's because its the most widely drunk tea, and people are used to it, and maybe have nice associations with it, or something. Not that it's not delish, as it is. In fact there is a gargantuan sack of it right next to me, as we are Tetley's supporters through and through. Generally though, the loose leaf teas got the top spots. Go Joe Public!

So even though we got the silver medal, it was to a tea that was decided cant really pass as a breakfast tea. We are relieved, as it could have gone quite embarrassingly wrong. Mind you, i wouldn't have posted it on here. I would have attempted to erase the painful memories and cried myself to sleep and bought a sports car to boost my self esteem and picked a fight with a small person, who would then beat me up, steal my sports car and drive to a cafe to have a cup of whatever tea was victorious. Which would cause the fading painful memories to return, and it would all begin again.

So there we go. If there are any scientific journals that want to use our findings, all we require is a knighthood or three.

There's more news, but i will make it into another blog entry so it looks a bit more exciting.


Byeeee!





P.S. Albino Squirrel

tea-nage mu-tea-nt tea-ro tea-urtles.

Well. Well well well. Well well WELL well WELL.

We have put in a new super mega order! Along with the reorder of some of the old favourites, we have a bucket load of newbies, awaiting your condescending stares and hushed whispers as they sheepishly make their way to the cafeteria for the first time, only to trip with their trays and fall on their faces and get milkshake in their hair and soup in their long-johns. But then you realise they aren't so bad. In fact you get to know them, and because they have come from some other place, you find them really interesting. They get popular. So popular that they start running the show, and before you know it, you are the one getting whispered about and minestrone in your undergarments. It's the circle of life. Or something.





In other news the Great India Trip of 2010 has been delayed slightly. We are now departing on March the 10th, returning on April the 1st - but we aint no fools! Or are we? Discuss.

Doing things this way means we are sure to catch some tea processing, and we have been invited to stay on some of the most highly regarded estates in Darjeeling, which is overwhelmingly generous of the owners. We cannot wait. There will be pics a plenty and a torrent of tales, toot diddle peep.

We met with the fire safety people, and they say it's ok for us to have people in the building, which is great. It would be a bitter disappointment if we opened the tea house, and no one was allowed in. Also, they say we are allowed fireworks and a mega bonfire inside on the opening night! Which is great news.


Right. News flash over. We hope anyone, anywhere who has supped a Quilliam Brothers Brew is super. And those who haven't, we hope you do sometime sup a superb Quilliam Brothers Brew. Supposing there are those who are fibbing about supping a QB brew, then fess up, supplement your tea supply and show your support with a supreme sup. Ahhhhh, words.

xxx