The 5 Best Blends for Unbreakable Brunch Plans

As we segue into the annals of April, there’s one phrase that’s never, ever going to get old— and it’s most definitely already several hundred years old, based on its origins in the 1500s by poet Thomas Tusser.

So say it with me now, because if you’ve heard it once, then you’ll probably hear it again… and again… and again…

That’s right: “April showers bring May flowers.”

And they do! Most certainly. Flowers and plants need water to thrive. (Tea plants as well!)

But April showers can also mess with the best-laid plans to get your social life flower.

How often have you then heard, “Can we raincheck?” when the sky starts a-cracking and a-rumbling with shadows and cloud on the horizon? (And not as an excuse to get out of a terrible date, mind you!)

April is a season when some of the most wonderful springtime brunch plans can get botched in favor of a brighter, sunnier Sunday. But with so much to look forward to— https://nationaltoday.com/april-holidays/ Easter, April Fool’s Day, International Sourdough Day, International Have Fun At Work Day — then we need to preserve these brunch excursions as best we can!

That means you might have to step up and — yes, you guessed it— host a brunch or four by yourself.

Not totally by yourself, of course. That’s the point of inviting friends! But you might have to attend to a certain number of brunchly duties by yourself, and if you’re on Adagio, then your friends might just designate you the tea purveyor for the afternoon.

Lucky again that you’re on Adagio, because we’ve got you covered with the best brunch teas for any weather!

Five Of The Best Brunch Blends

1. Irish Breakfast

You can’t go wrong with this one, it’s such a hearty-yet-gentle black that has all the right sweet notes on the aftertaste for anyone who might be getting to taste good tea for the first time. (Due to the hazards of April rain-checking, one never knows who’s actually going to show up to brunch, after all!) It’s also super easy to steep in boiling water, approximately 212 degrees Fahrenheit with your trusty VarieTEA kettle! And once your friends are hooked on this beginner blend, you can introduce them to the wonderful world of other breakfasts: English Breakfast, Scottish Breakfast, Second Breakfast… Wait, sorry, took a wrong turn at Hobbiton there. Carry on!

2. Jasmine Phoenix Pearls

Always a crowd-pleaser! With a simple steep of sub-boiling water— 180 degrees Farenheit or so— you get to introduce your loved-folks to the much-loved experience of watching a beautiful tea unfurl in the cup like so many tender, fragrant blossoms of drink. And the scent on this jasmine number is definitely fragrant indeed, which makes it amazing as well for teaching brunchers about the delights of a true, delicate floral tea to go with the often heavy and flavor-saturated foods that we normally associate with brunch.

And the gateway here is to other fabulous pearls of tea-light as well! Use this as an excuse to treat your friends to adorable little curls like Black Dragon Pearls, Fujian Orchid, and Jade Snail.

3. Rooibos Earl Grey

Now this one is capable of amazing things! It’s perfect for a crowd who’s a little caffeine sensitive, and on top of that it’s got the best beloved breakfast flavor: Earl Grey! Just let that tea steep as easily as any black or herbal— 212 boiling-hot degrees at five or so minutes— and feel the rush of bergamot soothe and inspire the heck out of you. From there, let the Picard-flavored jokes boldly go where no joke has gone before.

Besides, if your party truly enjoys the scent of nobility, then you can enable them further with Earl Grey Moonlight, Earl Grey Bravo, and Earl Grey Lavender.

4. Milk Oolong

Come on, I know it’s not a blend, but what would a hearty brunch be without a reference to dairy products? Traditional brunch food often includes cheesy, eggy, buttery goodness, so it makes perfect sense to have a tea with it that reflects those textures. Milk Oolong is so called because it has a distinct buttery aftertaste, even though it’s totally plant-based, which is great for those who prefer to keep their brunches plant-based as well. Avocado butter, anyone?

If you enjoy the green oolong family that Milk Oolong is a part of, then try experimenting with others like Ali Shan, Golden Flower, and Ti Kuan Yin. Don’t forget to steep it gently— a green tea-esque approach of 180 to 195 degrees Farenheit for three minutes should do the trick.

5. Masala Chai

If we’re going to start with a breakfast classic, then we have to end with one, right? Chai has been a morning— or late morning— staple for folks across time and location, and Adagio delivers on that spicy flavor punch. It’s gentle enough to warm the hardest heart and tingly enough to fizz away any discomfort if you do end up getting rained on for brunch. And the prep is just as easy as the blacks and rooibos above: 212 degrees Fahrenheit for no more than five minutes a steep.

The best part is that once you’ve got them hooked on the classic, you can lead them into the more avant-garde blends of Thai Chai, Golden Turmeric Chai, and White Chai.

Cheers!

Natasha Nesic

NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Founder of Work Life Fitness