Christmas Carol in London Black Tea

A breakfast-strength blend of Chinese and Ceylon black teas with smooth, full-bodied character and natural notes of cocoa and warm toast.

The Experience

Christmas Carol in London Black Tea evokes the warmth of a traditional breakfast tea on a cold London morning—substantial, comforting, and wonderfully straightforward.

This purist blend brings together first-grade black teas from two celebrated tea origins: Yunnan, China, and Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Each contributes a different dimension to the cup. Yunnan's black tea character brings depth and naturally warm, cocoa-like notes, while the Sri Lankan tea adds structure and the satisfying strength associated with a classic Ceylon cup. Together, they create a full-bodied, breakfast-strength tea with natural notes of cocoa powder and warm toast.

Despite its festive name, there are no spices, fruits, or added flavors hiding in the blend. Everything you taste comes naturally from the teas themselves. The result is a versatile black tea: robust enough for the first cup of the morning, smooth enough to enjoy without additions, and substantial enough to welcome a splash of milk.

Tasting Notes

Top: Warm toast
Mid: Cocoa powder • Smooth black tea
Finish: Rich • Clean • Lingering warmth
Body: Full

Why You’ll Love It

• A full-bodied purist blend with no added flavoring
• Combines black teas from Yunnan, China and Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
• Naturally occurring cocoa and toasted tasting notes
• Breakfast strength without relying on spices or flavorings
• Robust enough to enjoy with milk
• A comforting everyday black tea with more complexity than a conventional breakfast blend

Origin & Ingredients

Tea Type: Pure Black Tea Blend
Style: Purist Blend
Origins: Yunnan, China & Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
Grade: First Grade
Ingredients: Black tea
Caffeine: Yes
Body: Full

How to Brew

• 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 oz water
• 212°F water
• Steep 3–5 minutes

Enjoy straight to explore its natural cocoa and toasted notes, or add milk for a richer traditional breakfast-style cup.

Perfect For

Cold mornings, breakfast, afternoon tea, holiday gatherings, or anyone looking for a robust everyday black tea with natural depth rather than added flavoring. Pair it with toast and preserves, scones, shortbread, breakfast pastries, chocolate, or a traditional English breakfast.

A London Christmas in the Teacup

Few things feel more closely associated with Britain than a strong cup of black tea—and few stories capture a Victorian London Christmas quite like Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Published in 1843, Dickens' story follows Ebenezer Scrooge through a cold Christmas Eve in London, ultimately transforming a tale of isolation into one of generosity, companionship, and celebration.

The tea's name draws on that atmosphere: winter streets outside, warmth gathering indoors, breakfast on the table, and a substantial pot of black tea meant to be shared. Yet the leaves themselves remind us that Britain's celebrated tea culture has always been international.

One component travels from Yunnan, China, one of the world's great historic tea-producing regions. The other comes from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, part of the island's renowned Ceylon tea tradition. Together they become something familiar to the British table while retaining the distinctive character of their origins. China and Sri Lanka in the leaf. London in the story. A warming cup wherever you happen to be.

Packaging: Our loose teas are sold by the ounce and packaged in food-grade resealable bags.

Explore Our Classic & Heritage Black Teas

Discover full-bodied black teas shaped by distinctive origins, historic tea traditions, and the enduring pleasure of a proper cup.

Christmas Carol in London Black Tea (This Tea)
Cocoa • Warm toast • Full-bodied
→ Best for: a robust, unflavored breakfast-style tea with naturally rich tasting notes

Assam Bold Black Tea
Bold • Malty • Brisk
→ Best for: those seeking maximum strength and a classic milk-friendly breakfast cup

Assam Estate Black Tea
Malt • Dark stone fruit • Nuanced
→ Best for: exploring a more refined, orthodox expression of Indian Assam

Bamboo Temple Yunnan Black Tea
Malt • Cocoa • Light smokiness
→ Best for: exploring the naturally rich character of Yunnan black tea on its own