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“After I figured out that Twinings Irish Breakfast tasted better with a 2 minute steep, I decided to do the same with Lifeboat tea this morning. This is my second cup and even though it is a tea...” Read full tasting note
“Backlog: I always tend to have my misgivings about bagged teas before I try them. I am glad that quite often, my misgivings were unfounded, because not all bagged teas are bad. I certainly would...” Read full tasting note
“I have been eager to try this one for a while – I can’t remember the last time I have been this excited about a plain, black, bagged tea, to be honest with you! I’m excited because it’s a tea from...” Read full tasting note
“I took my sister to the largest city in the area, and while waiting I checked out the World Market there and got this tea and some Meiji Chocorooms. …There was quite a selection of tea at WM, but...” Read full tasting note
Lifeboat Tea is produced by Williamson Tea.
Help support the UK and Republic of Ireland’s Royal National Lifeboat Instituiton (RNLI) by drinking Lifeboat tea. A portion of the sale from each box of Lifeboat tea goes directly to support the RNLI. While you are enjoying Lifeboat tea, please remember that every cup of Lifeboat tea you drink will directly contribute to the upkeep of the critically important work that is done by the RNLI.
Lifeboat tea is grown, totally without pesticides, on Williamson’s world famous Tea Farms in Kenya, which now have Fairtrade accreditation.
Ingredients
Tea, product of Kenya.
Company description not available.
After I figured out that Twinings Irish Breakfast tasted better with a 2 minute steep, I decided to do the same with Lifeboat tea this morning. This is my second cup and even though it is a tea bag, it tastes wonderful. The tea is brisk and robust without the bitterness or too much astringency. I know that the tea in the bag is more than likely fannings, but if you use quality tea you get quality fannings. This is a very good tea as long as you don’t over steep it.
Backlog:
I always tend to have my misgivings about bagged teas before I try them. I am glad that quite often, my misgivings were unfounded, because not all bagged teas are bad. I certainly would prefer loose leaf, and I do wish that this tea was loose leaf, but, as bagged teas go, this one isn’t bad.
It’s quite hearty and robust, with a pleasant malty tone. It has a hint of bitterness to the background, but it isn’t off-putting. It is more like a warning telling me that a longer steep time would be bad with this tea, but the very slight amount that I am getting now actually adds an interesting contrast to the cup.
Not a bad tea, and glad that I have enough to try it cold-brewed. Thank you to TeaEqualsBliss for sending me a generous amount of this tea.
I have been eager to try this one for a while – I can’t remember the last time I have been this excited about a plain, black, bagged tea, to be honest with you! I’m excited because it’s a tea from Kenya and I have had a lot of luck with them – especially black/bagged teas, surprisingly! AND I’m excited because it helps support a cause! An Irish Lifesaving Service!!!!!
This smells STRONG and slightly crusty/bakey! It steeps to near coffee-black in color!
This is very robust! A nice strong black bagged tea, indeed!
An impressive bagged!
I’m sending 40 bags to Liberteas and will probably share my 39 bags with others, too, but I am saving some for tea-on-the-go as it’s perfect for that and for mornings!
I took my sister to the largest city in the area, and while waiting I checked out the World Market there and got this tea and some Meiji Chocorooms. …There was quite a selection of tea at WM, but my masala brain was already fried from all the CSR questions that were already flying around by the time I opened the door to the place, so I went with whatever had the most lucid of packaging.
Honestly, I’m glad I did. This is a strong, robust tea with a good flavor. I appreciate the single source (Kenya, and my masala brain would also have a problem with the plantation CSR, but Williamson is affiliated with Rainforest Alliance, so something good’s happening) and the 7p charity donation.
This really is the kind of tea that’s good for cold mornings — I have had better breakfast assams, but the balance here is perfect for autumn and winter. I think it would go great to steep with a stick of cinnamon, even. Of course, I drink it with milk, which only makes it better.
…And it was really nice to drink while eating those chocorooms…
It’s nice, but it’s not Builder’s. It is a strong tea if I use two bags in one 8 oz cup and steep for at least 3-4 min, but it doesn’t have the same floral notes that Builder’s does. Still respectable. I’ll take it over Yorkshire, Typhoo, Barry’s, and even, dare I say, PG Tips.
Flavors: Malt
It’s difficult to explain the scent and taste of this tea. Is it like a fruity or flowery coffee? Does it smell like spices? I can’t say, and I’ve snuffled at the box for a while now, trying to figure it out. I couldn’t say based on my memory, which was why I went for the box. Sticking my nose in the box and breathing in the scent was pleasant, but not particularly helpful.
The taste of “Lifeboat Tea” is similarly difficult to relate. It’s nice, mellow-tasting, but complex. It’s unique and the aftertaste reminds me of a flower-based tea. It’s a good aftertaste. In fact, I like to sip at this tea slowly, because I enjoy the aftertaste so much in the in-between points. And despite its mellow taste, it provides a good boost of caffeine.
I got it at World Market at $5 for 80 bags. For such a cheap, bagged tea, I’m surprised at the quality. In addition to that, a little bit of the cost goes to charity and there’s a stamp on it saying it’s, “Rainforest Alliance Certified.”
