Irish people love a cup of tea any time of day. Whether it's a first cup of hot tea in the morning for breakfast, or the last sip of milky tea in the evening for supper, most Irish people savor their cups of tea throughout the day.
Did you know that Ireland ranks second in the tea drinking per capita global tally?
Table of Contents
Top Tea Drinking Nations In The World
Turkey ranks number one on the list where people consume an average of 12.96 pounds of tea per person for year. In Ireland our tea usage amounts to 4.83 pounds of dry tea leaves per person per year according to sources on Wikipedia.
Now that's a whopping amount of tea per capita each year. In Ireland we even soak fruit in tea to make a delicious tea brack to accompany our favorite beverage.
To celebrate the upcoming holidays I thought we should kick off a season of weekly giveaways with a prize for none other than an Irish tea and cookie hamper from Food Ireland.
You'll find all kinds of Irish food available on their online store. You can check out my roundup of some of the goodies they keep in stock if you're thinking about treating yourself to a taste of Ireland over the holidays.
Let's explore some of the history of tea drinking in Ireland before I share the giveaway details. You'll find all the information at the end of this post if you'd like to be in with a chance to win this lovely gift basket.
The Introduction Of Tea To Ireland
The English first introduced tea to Ireland in the mid 18th century, after it was initially brought to Britain in the 17th century by the East India Company.
Since tea was imported all the way from India it was a very expensive product when it first appeared in Britain. Only the aristocracy and ultra rich people of the day could afford to drink tea and even they kept the precious dried leaves under lock and key.
Catherine of Braganza, who was the wife of Charles II of England made tea drinking fashionable by introducing the ritual of drinking tea to the English Royal Court. And so to keep up with the royal Jonses, the aristocracy of England took to drinking tea like ducks to water. The Anglo Irish aristocracy were not far behind adopting a royally approved tea drinking habit.
At first the poor rural people of Ireland could not afford tea. However the cost of this luxury beverage fell significantly after the removal of tariffs in 1784 (remember the Boston tea party escapades that all revolved around tariffs on tea).
Adoption Of Tea Drinking By The Rural Irish Poor
The price of tea fell by half with the removal of these royal taxes. The less well off folk throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland started testing this warming brew.
Along Ireland's rugged coastline pirates smuggled cheap tea to sell to a vast market of impoverished Irish peasants.
Believe it or not, tea was one of the most smuggled goods in Ireland throughout the 1700's. Irish consumers, even the poor, welcomed the cheap, unofficial tea provided by the entrepreneurial sea faring traders.
By the 1830's before the Great Irish Famine, tea had become a staple in most Irish homes, even amongst the poor.
English Attempts To Control Irish Tea Drinking
Some English reformers frowned on the Irish habit of drinking tea. Yes! You read that correctly. They complained about tea drinking, not whiskey drinking.
Pamphlets distributed in Ireland in the early 1800's described Irish tea consumption as "reckless and uncontrollable." They went so far as to say the addiction to tea could cause "illicit longing and revolutionary sympathies." Imagine what a drop of hot whiskey could do to our rebellious natures, if we got so riled up with a simple cup of tea.
These reformers and do gooders disapproved of the fact that Irish women drank cups upon cups of tea. Women in those days should have no vices. The women of the British Empire were expected to quietly organize the home and maintain rigorous control over their families.
Irish women's affinity for tea-drinking was a source of considerable alarm amongst the ruling classes.
Mary Leadbeater, author of a fictional pamphlet called the Cottage Dialogues in 1811, documented unsubstantiated connections between tea drinking and revolutionary feminism. She definitely would not approve of anyone enjoying a Long Island Iced Tea.
In 1813 Leadbeater returned to the topic of tea drinking amongst the poor in another pamphlet called The Landlord's Friend.
One character in this story was Lady Seraphina. She was presented as an improving landowner who disapproved of tea drinking. When visiting a peasant's cabin the lady observes that there is an absence of tea-cups in the kitchen.
Winny, the peasant character in the story, replies to the lady with an explanation I'm quite certain no Irish peasant ever exclaimed.
"We never were used to tea, and would not choose that our little girl should get a notion of any such thing. The hankering after a drop of tea keeps many poor all their lives. So I would not have any things in the cabin which would put us in mind of it." ~ Winny from The Landlord's Friend, 1813
For me, this quotation emphasizes the desire of the ruling classes to keep the Irish and the poor in their place, at the bottom of the social ladder.
This criticism of tea drinking by poor people was not limited to Ireland. The aristocracy throughout the British Isles believed tea-drinking by the poor indicated pretensions toward upward social mobility, which was seriously frowned upon. Working class priorities were expected to remain on work and work alone. Adoption of modern fashions and trends by the poor was not to be tolerated by the privileged few of the day.
Celebrating Irish Tea Drinking
Well in this corner of the internet, we embrace the Irish cultural habit of enjoying a cup of hot tea, and thankfully tea drinking is no longer frowned upon in the Emerald Isle. Today's story of Irish tea history is fascinating to me so I hope you too enjoyed this ramble through Irish cultural history.
Our giveaway this week will put you in mind of a cup of tea, unlike poor Winny in 1813 who shunned the brew.
We'll celebrate our Irish love of tea with a lovely hamper giveaway featuring two boxes of Irish tea bags and a few packets of Irish chocolate biscuits from Food Ireland.
Barry's has been a favorite Irish tea brand for over a century. Their tea bags are a blend of black tea leaves that make the best cup of hot tea. Since Barry's is a company that was founded in County Cork, I grew up drinking Barry's tea.
Today Barry's tea is exported all over the world and their sales represent 40% of the Irish tea market.
The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win an Irish tea and cookie gift hamper from Food Ireland.
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Saturday November 21st, 2020.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you like a nice cup of tea.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won't be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 21st, 2020 at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom's complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes' entries by clicking here.
And thank you to all who join in the fun and support this giveaway.
Go ahead and share this post with any of your tea loving friends and family so they too can be in with a chance to win.
Update: Winner Chosen
Our winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plug-in for WordPress.
And the lucky reader is ….
Peggy D.
I'll send Peggy an email to arrange mailing of her prize. A big thank you to everyone for supporting this giveaway by leaving comments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment.
Please know that even if I did not get the chance to reply to your individual comment, I treasured reading about your love of a good cup of tea and your trips to Ireland. I was blown away by the number of comments and interest in this little giveaway. Thank you all for supporting this little community and for your kind words about my recipes and ramblings.
Stay tuned for many more stories and giveaways over the coming weeks and months.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
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Kelley
Love this, my G-ma always drank tea as well as my mum and myself and now my daughter... everyone laughs when I put milk/cream in mine.
Irish American Mom
Hi Kelley - I too add milk to my tea - it's an Irish thing.
Thanks for stopping by and supporting our little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Aine Haley
Awhhh sure you'll have a cup, ah go on.. nobody could enter my house and leave without at least one cup of tea and some biscuits
Irish American Mom
Hi Aine - I always love when you decline the first offer for a cup of tea, and the reply is, "ah sure, you'll have a quick cup of tea in the hand." I think it's the Irish way of acknowledging we don't want to delay anyone, but a quick cup in the hand makes a visit worthwhile.
All the best,
Mairéad
Anne
Indeed!
Irish American Mom
Thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Pauline
I love my tea and always try and have Barry's on hand. Anytime my family from Ireland visit me they bring barrys tea bags. If I run out I drink tetley British blend. I drink tea morning and night. Grew up drinking tea with milk.
Karen Carey
We always have Barry’s Tea on hand. During the Covid shutdown earlier this year, we couldn’t find any locally and had to turn to the internet. While searching for Barry’s Tea online, we discovered Kerry Gold shortbread. Soooo good. And goes well with a cuppa tea.
Irish American Mom
Hi Karen - Kerrygold shortbread is the best, and a perfect accompaniment to a nice cup of Irish tea. I love shortbread. Glad you were able to find some tea and shortbread online.
All the best,
Mairéad
Theresa Greer
I love Barry's Tea. It makes a lovely gift for Tea drinkers.
Irish American Mom
Hi Pauline - When I can't get Barry's I drink Tetleys also. I too drink quite a few cups of tea throughout the day.
Thanks for stopping by to check out this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kathleen Fullerton
I love tea in the day as my alternative to morning espresso...the blending of my Sicilian grandmother and Irish father's influences growing up...with milk, of course.
GRMA
Irish American Mom
Hi Kathleen - Milk in our tea, of course. It's a very Irish and English thing. No black tea for me, either.
All the best,
Mairéad
Ashleigh Love
I drink hot tea all day every day!!! I even have a neat little steeping cup on my desk at work. I learned the "correct" way to make tea by my friends mother, Zoey. (She was from England) She taught me "good tea, spoon of sugar and splash of milk." Thank you for all the posts and stories and history. It's so nice to read and learn about Irish ways and traditions.
Jessica
I fell in love with Barry's tea during my Ireland dream vacation in 2009. I order Barry's tea and other Irish tea online throughout the year so I can drink it daily. 😀
Irish American Mom
Hi Jessica - It's lovely to learn that your trip to Ireland was your dream vacation. I hope you rekindle memories of your time there every time you sip a nice cup of Irish tea. Thanks for checking out this post about tea.
All the best,
Mairéad
Julia
I sampled this tea while visiting in Ireland in 2018. Love it and have ordered it several times to send back to the U.S.
Irish American Mom
Hi Julia - Delighted to hear you got to visit Ireland in 2018 and sampled Irish tea. I love going to a café in Ireland and being served a small pot of tea - extra delicious with a scone on the side, of course.
All the best, and thanks for checking out this giveaway.
Mairéad
Leanne Obrien
Tea tea and more tea. My American daughter drinks tea more than me only the Irish tea though
It's so cute lol
Sandra Newman
Lovely prize! You can't beat a cup of tea, many cups enjoyed with friends and family and a biscuit or two.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sandra - You can't beat some nice bickies with a cuppa. I especially love a club milk washed down by a hot cup of milky tea.
Take care,
Mairéad
Richard King
Fascinating article. Barry’s is my favorite!
Irish American Mom
Hi Richard - Thanks for checking out my rambling history of tea in Ireland. I found this information very interesting too. Like you, Barry's is my favorite brand of tea.
All the best,
Mairéad
Theresa
I love a cup of tea. When I was growing up my Granny would make tea for me with a slice of her homemade bread toasted. Every morning we would have tea and toast.
Irish American Mom
Hi Theresa - What a delicious breakfast. Toasted soda bread is delicious with a cup of tea. Simple, delicious foods and memories of our childhoods stay with us through life. I'm so glad this post brought back fond childhood memories for you.
All the best,
Mairéad
Denise Clemente
Thank you so much for this opportunity. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Denise - Have a lovey Thanksgiving too. Thanks for your support and for stopping by to join in this little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Deb Kemp
Love this! I buy Barry’s tea and drink it every day!
Irish American Mom
Hi Deb - Another Barry's tea fan. I think there must be quite a few of us around.
All the best,
Mairéad
Linda Roberts
I love drinking tea with a digestive biscuit because it reminds me of being home. I miss those days.
Irish American Mom
Hi Linda - Digestives are perfect for dipping in a cup of tea. I love a few digestives and a hot cuppa before hitting the hay. The caffeine never stops me sleeping - the test of a real tea drinking Irish woman.
All the best,
Mairéad
Maureen
I love Barry's tea and chocolate. Thanks for the chance to win this beautiful hamper.
Maureen
Sinita
Hello!
Wonderful post!
I drink Barry’s Tea every morning, with a little milk! I love it so much nothing else compares to how satisfying it is!
I’ve got my Mom & my Daughter “hooked” on it too!
Thanks
Irish American Mom
Hi Sinita - Once you've savored a cup of Irish tea, it's very difficult to go back to drinking any American brands. They just don't compare. It sounds like you've converted everyone in your family to being Irish tea drinkers.
All the best,
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
Thanks for stopping by to support our little giveaway, Maureen.
All the best,
Mairéad
Anthony B
I raised my two son's by always asking if they wanted a cup of my world famous tea whenever I had a cup, it stuck with them. Now they are tea drinkers. I tried tea with milk, but reminded me of coffee too much. I no longer use sugar, but prefer Greek honey as it is thicker than American.
Irish American Mom
Hi Anthony - Nice to learn you raised two tea drinkers. Only one of my four children likes a cup of tea, but that could all change as the boys grow older. I must look out for Greek honey. Irish honey is wonderful. I read an article about how Irish people are spending a fortune on Manuka honey from New Zealand, but a study revealed that Irish honey has just as many good nutrients.
Thanks for stopping by.
Take care,
Mairéad
Kate Doohan
Aww....Ireland and its love for tea! Thanks for sharing!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kate - The days when tea was rationed during the world wars must have been difficult in Ireland. I remember stories of my granny getting tea sent in a care package from an aunt in America during the 1940's. She always said it was like manna from heaven.
All the best,
Mairéad
Linda Lee Klebe
Thank you for sharing that interesting article. There's nothing like a hot cup of tea to warm your bones on a cold day.
Irish American Mom
Hi Linda - I so agree with you. I used to love getting home from school on a cold winter's day and sipping a hot cuppa with my mom. It was a great time to chat and catch up on all the news of the day.
All the best,
Mairéad
Siobhan Ramos
Oh my 😍
You can't beat an Irish cuppa tae, I love my tea. Always had at least 5 cups a day before I moved stateside. Now I ration my Irish tea bags because they're hard to come by especially in Florida. But I love having a video chat with my mam over a cup of tea, makes being away from home feel a little less away from home. Should also note my American husband hates milk so I make him sick when he sees me putting it in my tea 😂 he can't understand the milk in tea.
~ Siobhan
Irish American Mom
Hi Siobhan - My Irish born husband has been converted to being a drinker of black tea. He tried to get me to give it a go, but I do like my milky cup of tea, so he's failed. He's also trying to introduce me to green tea, and I only give in when the real tea bags are running low.
Lovely to hear you share a cuppa with your mom as you connect via video link.
All the best,
Mairéad
Pierce C Parker
I had no idea that Turkey ranked the first globally. I'd have thought it would be the UK!
Irish American Mom
Hi Pierce - I too was surprised to learn that Turkey's per capita tea consumption was over twice that of Ireland's. Turkish people must really like tea. Thanks for stopping by to check out this tea inspired story.
All the best,
Mairéad
Christine Breen
Grew up in an Irish American household where any and all of life's problems were made better with a cup of tea!
Irish American Mom
Hi Christine - So true about the comforting powers of a cuppa tea. Sharing a cuppa with those we love is such a part of our cultural heritage.
Thanks for supporting this little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
mary lundy
I love a cup of Barry's tea.
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - I think our little corner of the internet is like a Barry's tea fan club. But let's face it, Barry's is the best tea in the world. My family all originate in Cork, so we're very proud of our local tea brand.
All the best,
Mairéad
Edel
Thanks for sharing the history of tea in Ireland with us. I’m an avid Barry’s tea drinker living in the US for 17 years. I always have a couple of tea bags with me whenever I’ve to travel. Once I even packed a kettle and teapot as I had to work in remote Idaho for two weeks! I got strange looks from my work colleagues!!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Edel - I love my electric kettle, and the best tea is made in a pot. I must write a post someday about how to make a good cup of tea in a pot, including the scalding the teapot step. Thanks for the inspiration. If I ever needed to travel to a remote part of America like Idaho, I think I too would pack my kettle and teapot along with a supply of proper tea bags. I can only handle so much of the American orange pekoe tea blend. Twinings Irish or English breakfast tea is alright in a bind, but when I can have Barry's tea, I never consider using any other brand.
All the best,
Mairéad
Heidi Thibodeau
I discovered your wonderful blog and Facebook page just a day or two ago after doing a Google search for "Irish tea," or "tea in Ireland," or something similar! I enjoy all kinds of teas, but Barry's Gold is my absolute favorite, and I love reading and learning about tea in Ireland!
Irish American Mom
Hi Heidi - I'm so glad you found my little corner of the internet, where we love all things Irish, especially a good cuppa tea. Barry's Gold tea is a superb blend. Even after living in America for over twenty years, my palate never adapted to iced tea. I always like my Barry's tea served hot, and with milk. I hope you'll stop by and check out my new recipes and ramblings every now and then and welcome to this little Irish American community.
All the best,
Mairéad
Pamela A Synett
I love to drink tea....with some cookies or cake....or just by its self....one of my favorites is green tea...we don't get Irish tea here....we might now but I don't shop because of covid....would love to try some of the teas....
Irish American Mom
Hi Pamela - Thanks for sharing your love of tea with all the tea drinkers here in this little community. Stay safe and well.
All the best,
Mairéad
Fiona Horgan
A great read and so interesting! Nothing beats a good cup of tea no matter what time of the day!
Irish American Mom
Hi Fiona - I agree - tea is perfect at morning, noon and night. Thanks for supporting this little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Shawn Smith
Irish tea is part of my relaxation strategy daily! Love my tea time!
Irish American Mom
Sounds like a great relaxation strategy, Shawn. Irish tea is the best!
Take care,
Mairéad
Anne
Hello Mairéad--
Thanks for the history! It's amazing that even the comfort of a cup of tea was considered anti-establishment by our overlords.
I love your recipes, as I'm first generation and are exactly what my mom would make for us. (my parents came here in the late 50s, we were born in the 60s)
I've referred your site to a friend who is not Irish, but asked me for recipes for last St Patrick's Day. I could say with confidence that it was the real thing. 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Anne - Lovely to hear you can give my recipes your Irish seal of approval. Thanks so much for letting your friends know about my website. I really appreciate it when readers spread the word about my efforts to share our Irish cultural inheritance.
Thanks for checking out this little historical ramble about tea.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Tara
My 10 year old son will only drink Barry’s tea, it’s a favorite treat for him, he’s an old soul!
Irish American Mom
Hi Tara - My daughter started drinking tea when she was about ten, and now she loves it. She even drinks Earl Grey tea which is far too flavored for me. I always stick to Barry's when I can, just like your son. I love how you say you think he is an old soul. I have one son whom I often think is an old soul too. He thinks about things at a different level to the others.
Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jan
I am a daily tea drinker but I have never had Barry’s tea. I usually like PG tips. I like tea with milk or without but only black tea for me. I do not care for green or herbal teas.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jan - Like you, I prefer black tea. I'll drink a cup of green tea every now and then to keep my husband company. I always believe there's more than one cup of tea in a tea bag, so I join him when he brews a mug of green tea. But when it's my turn to make the tea, I like to go for black tea.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jennifer B
Thank you for the Irish tea history! I was raised in England, where we were taught in primary school how to make a "proper cuppa", but it was my mom's best friend who taught me how to brew a pot of tea.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jennifer - Thanks for letting us know that the primary school curriculum in England included instructions on how to make a "proper cuppa." Very valuable information and truly a life skill for children. I often think we should teach more practical skills in schools today. There's too much focus on testing and academics. One of these days I'll write a post about how I learned to brew a pot of tea. I'm dreaming of tea cozies now - I think a tea cozy would be a great prize for a giveaway. Thanks for the inspiration! Anyway, I digress. I really appreciate you supporting our little giveaway and joining our discussion about all things tea.
All the best,
Mairéad
Emer
What a really lovely prize giveaway! Tea has always played a large part in our family life. I have fond memories of sitting around the fire in my granny's house many moons ago drinking cups of Barry's tea with chocolate chip cookies and listening to her tell us fairy tales. Nothing more comforting than a cup of tea!
Irish American Mom
Hi Emer - Thanks for sharing your memories of tea by the fire with your granny. It's the simple things in life that are so important, and tea is a simple comfort whenever we need a pick me up. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sally
There is nothing as satisfying as a strong cup of tea with milk. I, too, got hooked on Barry’s during a 2019 trip to Ireland. It was served at a lovely inn in County Laois which was originally a manor house where my great grandmother worked as a parlor maid around the turn of the 20th century. When I told the innkeeper how much I liked the tea, she sent me home with a box. I now order Barry’s online. With every cup, I think of that trip, the lovely cousins I met, the fascinating history, and the beautiful Irish countryside.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sally - How amazing to be able to visit an inn that once was the manor house where your great grandmother actually worked. I'm so glad you discovered Barry's tea on your trip to Ireland, and how lovely that your hostess in County Laois gave you a box of tea to take home with you. I love to hear stories like yours, proving Ireland truly does offer one hundred thousand welcomes to visitors. It'll be wonderful when we can all travel again and experience Ireland again. Thanks for sharing how your cups of Barry's tea now take you on a trip down memory lane to your time in Ireland. That's what tea is all about.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Tara Lamb
My sister and I visited Ireland a couple years ago and we’ve both been hooked on Irish tea ever since!
Irish American Mom
Hi Tara - Irish tea is truly delicious, but it's extremely important to make it with really hot water. Whenever I'm in a hotel dunking an American tea bag in tepid water, trying to make a cuppa something akin to tea, I long for an Irish tea bag and really hot water. I'm delighted to hear you and your sister have been introduced to the joy of Irish tea.
All the best,
Mairéad
Anitra
I started ordering Barry’s tea after a family trip to Ireland in 2017. I love the rich flavor accompanied with cream and honey! I miss the Irish brown bread and need to find a place to order the flour so I can make it at home.
Irish American Mom
Hi Anitra - I'm so glad you enjoy Irish tea. Brown bread is truly a taste of Ireland. You can find Odlum's brown bread mix on the Food Ireland website. Here's the link for a post I wrote about what they offer.
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/purchasing-irish-food-online-in-the-united-states/
I hope this helps.
All the best,
Mairéad
Carol
With maiden name "Montgomery" and married name "Brady" is there any question about our afternoon tea and cookie habit?
Irish American Mom
Hi Carol - I think many Irish American Mom readers, like you, are very partial to the delights of afternoon tea, and cookies make it even better.
All the best, and thanks for supporting our giveaway.
Mairéad
Sharon Northup
I have never had Barry’s Tea. Since the COVID hit, our senior services is having a tea party on Tuesday. My husband is joining us. We received tea cups and scones. We will be doing it virtually and seems like a whole lot of fun. I hope this will be a new tradition for my husband and I. We will have to try Barry’s Tea the next time we go to the store.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sharon - Barry's is a rich tea blend that's very popular in Ireland. I hope you enjoy your virtual tea party this week. What a wonderful idea.
Thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes.
Mairéad
Mary Sullivan
Hi Mairead. I love your blog. Yesterday I made scones using your recipe and my family devoured them. They were wonderful. I was able to enjoy the last one with a cup of Barry's tea. It takes me back to Ireland. I still chuckle every time I think of the day I asked for a glass of ice tea in Ireland. It was a hot day. The waitress said, "I guess I can make one." That was the only time I asked for ice tea there. lol
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - I'm delighted your family enjoyed some Irish scones yesterday, and that you managed to get one to enjoy with your cuppa. Iced tea is definitely not on restaurant menus in Ireland - I wonder what kind of tea your waitress produced. It's a miracle she even tried at all to create one.
I'm so glad you like my blog. Thanks for all your support.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cindy Scroggins
Hi, Mairead -
I thought I would let you know that the preferred tea in this house is Barry's. I brew a pitcher of it every day and my daughter drinks it throughout her workday; she loves it!
Irish American Mom
Hi Cindy - It's good to know that Barry's tea is appreciated for iced tea as well as hot tea. I only make hot tea in my house. I've never acquired a taste for iced tea, or coffee, even after living in America for over twenty years. The number of readers who have commented about their love of Barry's tea is amazing. Thanks for joining our Irish tea discussion.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Theresa Barry
When making Irish tea, I've only 3 words for my fellow Americans: "scald the pot!" 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!
Irish American Mom
I hear you, Theresa. I can nearly hear my granny in heaven shouting down to me "scald the pot" every time I slosh some boiling water around my tea pot. It's the most important step for a good pot of tea. I think a tutorial on making a good cup of tea definitely needs to go on my to do list.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Tricia
My Irish grandmother loved her tea--milk, no sugar, which is how I always drink it. Would love to try out the Barry's in Nonny's little green teapot <3
Irish American Mom
Hi Tricia - Barry's tea would be a perfect blend for "Nonny's little green teapot." Glad you have such a family treasure.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kyle Buckley
We had the good fortune to visit Ireland last summer for our 40th wedding anniversary. We are now in love with all things Irish! I love your "ramblings" and recipes! Keep them coming!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kyle - Thanks for your kind words about my ramblings and recipes. I really appreciate it. So glad you enjoyed your anniversary trip to the Emerald Isle.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Jane Morison
When I took my choir to Ireland for a concert tour in 2018 I became ADDICTED to Irish tea! (Scones too!) I completely gave up coffee on the trip to make room for the tea. I love your blog. It always takes me back. We were supposed to visit good friends in Kenmare this summer. Hopefully in the near future.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jane - Hopefully it won't be too long before your back in Kenmare enjoying a nice cup of tea and scones. I keep telling myself that things are going to start looking up, and we'll be traveling again in 2021 please God.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Maurice
Love Barry’s and Tetley’s.
Irish American Mom
Hi Maurice - Good choices. I'd also add Twinings to this list, but they're all good. Being Irish, I'm very biased and Barry's is my number 1 brand.
All the best,
Mairéad
Pauline L
Ahhhh tea, love a cuppa with chocolate biscuit to dunk. No visits home in the summer. Hopefully next summer I can sit down with my parents & enjoy a cuppa in their kitchen, nothing like it!
Irish American Mom
Hi Pauline - Fingers crossed you'll be dunking a few biscuits in Ireland next summer.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Patricia
My mother in law loved her tea very strong, as did her mom. She laughed when I told her the expression “tea a cat could dance on.” Happy Thanksgiving to you and your readers, Mairead!
Irish American Mom
Hi Patricia - I love that expression about strong tea. My late uncle really liked strong tea. He would say he liked his tea like porter, dark and strong.
All the best, and have a lovely Thanksgiving.
Mairéad
Amber
I learned about the magical healing properties of Irish tea on a trip to West Cork. Thanks for a great article about its role in independence!
Irish American Mom
Hi Amber - As a child I drank many magical cups of tea with my Granny in West Cork. Tea tastes extra good along the Wild Atlantic Way.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kandi
My husband and I just did a virtual tea tasting, what fun it was!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kandi - It's great to hear you had some online tea tasting fun. What a great idea. The world is getting more creative this year, and thinking outside the proverbial box.
All the best,
Mairéad
Tizz Crowley
Thank you for always providing an interesting email newsletter. I've saved and shared so many of the specifics over the year.
I grew up drinking tea, the stronger the better. I finally learned to drink coffee when I learned to ski while in high school. The tea didn't stay warm enough for late night skiing.
Thanks for the opportunity to win such a delightful basket.
Irish American Mom
Hi Tizz - Thanks so much for following and sharing my recipes and ramblings. I really appreciate your support. Thanks for the tip about coffee staying warm longer than tea for late night skiing. I remember bringing an old fashioned glass flask of tea to school for lunch. I had many an accident and dropped my flask, only to have the joy of opening a flask full of tea with floating shards of glass. Oh, the memories of an Irish childhood.
All the best,
Mairéad
Richard M Dunn
I am just finding about my Irish Heritage
I am trying to check out everything
History food traditions myths and everything else i can
Irish American Mom
Hi Richard - You've found a perfect corner of the internet for celebrating your Irish heritage. I love to share my recipes and ramblings about all things Irish and Irish American. My stories can be a bit scattershot at times, but that's what makes this blog unique. Thanks so much for stopping by and supporting our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Gail
I love everything about Ireland, including the traditional breakfasts. Thanks for the recipies.
Irish American Mom
Hi Gail - Thanks for stopping by. I must write a blog post about the Irish fry. It's an important and delicious part of our culture. Thanks for the inspiration.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Anne Herridge
Always lovely to discuss tea! I drink it all day (with milk!) and always keep a few teabags in my purse or bag for when I'm out or on the road, so that I get a decent cuppa! I was just saying to my husband yesterday that we should get more Barry's tea as we have been drinking other brands lately. I also love jaffa cakes with my tea and Ireland is the only place that seems to make gluten free jaffa cakes which are the BEST! Love all the treats and snacks! Must place an order now!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Anne - I love Jaffa cakes too. I didn't know there was a gluten free version available. Ireland offers a great selection of gluten free products. I think it's because there is a higher incidence of coeliac disease amongst Irish people than other nationalities.
Thanks for adding to our discussion about all things tea.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Deborah Egizii
Looks like an amazing gift! Always yummy-for-the-tummy tea and chocolate! I truly fell for Barry’s when I visited Ireland and drink it daily.
Thanks for the history, very interesting!
Irish American Mom
Hi Deborah - Another thumbs up for Barry's tea. So many fans around this little corner of the internet. Thanks for checking out this post, and a little bit of Irish tea history.
All the best,
Mairéad
Candace Fettes
Hi. I am enjoying reading your blog and looking at and sometimes trying some of the recipes you post. I drink Irish Breakfast tea when I want regular tea and sometimes nice herbal teas. Thanks for offering a gift basket from Ireland, what a treat.
Happy Holidays
Candi
Irish American Mom
Hi Candace - I'm so glad you're enjoying my recipes and ramblings. Thanks for supporting this little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Gail McGillis
One of my favorite things to do in Ireland was to find fun places to try different flavors of tea! I will raise my next cup of tea to the hope that life returns to normal for all of us and we can travel to where our hearts visit now in our dreams!
Irish American Mom
Hi Gail - You expressed our longings so beautifully. Hopefully, we will soon be able to make our travel dreams a reality.
All the best,
Mairéad
Margaret Fitzgerald
Always have my Barry's gold on hand. And I like it strong- my mom says it has to be strong enough to grow hair on your chest...
Irish American Mom
Hi Margaret - I love all the Irish expressions about strong tea. I might need to compile them all into a blog post all of their own. Thanks for adding to my collection of strong tea sayings.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Mary Power
I first had Barry's tea in Ireland, and am lucky to find it in the US. I will soon bring my new husband to Ireland for the first time. I can't wait to show him my heritage.
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - How wonderful to be able to look forward to a trip to Ireland to celebrate your heritage with your husband. Hopefully it won't be long before you can start planning that trip.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Pat
Thank you for the cultural education!
Jeanne L
I remember drinking tea with my grandmother and aunts. I love your potato leek soup recipe.