Review of Miles West-Country Original Blend Tea (Loose Leaf)

Photo by Miss Windsor. Darling Brown Betty, and Miles West-Country Original Blend Loose Leaf Tea!

Hello, darlings!
                                  
Following my frightfully fabulous scone munching, tea tasting experience at Mr Miles Tearooms, Taunton, Somerset; I became rather enamoured with Miles West-Country Original Blend Tea. But I dare say, although I’m a West-Country lass at heart, my new ‘amour’ was a match made in heaven! Thus, this heavenly taste sensation is now part of my daily tea break routine – “Oh, jolly good,” I hear you utter!  ​

Photo courtesy of - Mr Colin Barrell - Mr Miles Tearooms, Taunton, Somerset!

So just in time for British National Tea Day, and accompanied by one of my vintage, loyal, earthenware Brown Betty teapots, I wished to nourish my palate with a selection of Miles Tea. Then write a detailed recount for the pleasure of the ardent tea drinker, for those who occasionally enjoy a brew or two, or for the individual who fancies them self as a connoisseur of tea – just like Miss Windsor!

Photo by Miss Windsor. Vintage teapot by Price, and Miles West-Country Original Blend Loose Leaf Tea!

Darlings, now I wish to fortify your mind with a few thrilling facts about Miles Tea & Coffee:  
 
Miles Tea of Porlock, Somerset, merchants of the finest tea and coffee from the West-Country, was established in 1888 and was previously known as Henry Miles & Co. Then in 1971, Mr D J Miles purchased the business from his grandfather, whom since then, and now at the ripe and ravishing age of 86 years old is still tea tasting and buying three days per week – How spiffing!

Photo courtesy of 'Visit Somerset' - Mr D J Miles - blending tea!

Moving swiftly on – Mr Sam Burton of Miles Tea & Coffee very kindly sent me a selection of tea via our trusty Royal Mail service – How fabulous! And with much excitement I shuffled through my goodie bag, and decided to sample the delights of – Berry Berry Loose Leaf Tea, including my new amour – West-Country Original Blend Tea - loose leaf on this occasion! Of course, I was quite intrigued to find out how the loose leaf would fare against my customary teabag!  ​

Photo by Miss Windsor - goodie bag of Miles Tea - courtesy of Sam Burton.

Now darlings, naturally One will start with Miles West-Country Original Blend Tea – Oh, yes, an exquisite fusion of fourteen Assam and African teas.

Photo courtesy of 'Miles Tea & Coffee' - tea blending!

You’ll be pleased to know, Miss Windsor followed suit; and as per the ‘brewing notes’ on the back of the rather fragrant smelling packet, prepared darling Brown Betty for action with a little heat - and so gently swilled her trunk with boiling hot water! 
 
After 4 to 5 minutes, the time had arrived to pour myself a pure dose of West-Country LOVE – Oh, how sweet! You see darlings, I prefer to enjoy mine with milk, to be served, of course, in a dainty English bone china teacup by Paragon. I must say, I was rather lured by the resplendent tone of tawny and bronze, and so I immediately indulged in a ‘sup’ or two of this enchanting blend - How thrilling!

Photo by Miss Windsor - 'brewing notes' - for Miles West-Country Original Blend Loose Leaf Tea.

Then as my teacup touched my lips, I was greeted with a pleasant bitter burst, followed by a rousing explosion of mellow, malty, yet sweet and vibrant union of flavours, that quite amusingly reminded me of my mum’s favourite powdered, night-time beverage of Horlicks – What a blast from the past!
 
So I expect your keen to hear what type of tea I favoured! Well, my ever so faithful teabag, that has never let me down as yet; is purely for convenience – when one is against the clock, or in need of a quickie – Oh, I say! But to be frank, darlings, both the loose leaf tea and bags taste exactly the same - Well, I never!

Photo by Miss Windsor - cup of Miles West-Country Original Blend Tea! Served in a cup n' saucer - by Paragon!

Yet despite that, there’s something very special about making a brew from scratch using loose tea leaves. For me, I believe it’s the entire process – my darling Brown Betty teapot, to dress a table with a starched linen tablecloth, to sip from a bone china cup and saucer, to use a tea strainer, or just the sheer enjoyment as One is catapulted to a bygone era - when ladies of the ‘golden age’ (like Grandmother Josie) would serve tea with such class and finesse – those were the days!  ​

Photo by Miss Windsor: Brown Betty, cup n' saucer by Paragon & Miles West-Country Original Blend Tea!

Darlings, before you pop off to Sainsbury's to buy a box or two of Miles Tea - I must say, Miles West-Country Original Blend Tea is extremely versatile, and to be enjoyed on any occasion with or without milk – breakfast, elevenses, brunch, tea break, afternoon tea, or as the perfect steaming hot companion – Oh, I say! whilst you ‘cosy up’ on your sumptuous sofa in readiness for another riveting episode of ‘Corrie’!

​Oh dear, but I’ve run out of time! one is feeling a trifle weary now, and must retire to my boudoir with my new 'love' – a glorious cup of Miles West-Country Original Blend Tea – loose leaf, of course! Only the best will do for Miss Windsor.  

Photo by Miss Windsor - Miles West-Country Original Blend Loose Leaf Tea, and my trusty teabags!

Darlings, I shall be back very soon, with my rather fruity review of Miles Berry Berry Loose Leaf Tea – the very best of West-Country fayre!
 
Toodle-oo

Photo 9: vintage Brown Betty teapot decorated with gold gilding & flowers. I purchased from Etsy.com - CybelsVintageHome !