Like most people in the UK, I start each day with a strong cup of tea and can easily fill my mug half a dozen times throughout my workday. There is nothing quite like a strong cuppa, and I have decided to look at the best own-brand tea bags from UK supermarkets to see who has the best brew that is worth the cost.
My usual go-to is Yorkshire Tea bags, but at Tesco, a pack of 210 now costs £5.49, while 80 bags cost £3.30. I really wanted to see if there was a cheaper alternative that was more value for money while still being tasty enough to help wake me up in the morning.
Which supermarket sells the best tea bags?
Morrison’s — £1.75 for 80 tea bags
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my cup of tea from Morrison’s. After adding the milk, the first thing I noticed was that it was paler than any other tea I drank, despite being brewed for the same time. It also had a strange milky film on the stop, which did not look very appealing.
I took a sip and it was pretty flavourless but had a slightly bitter aftertaste. In my opinion, it was not nice to drink, and as a major tea lover, I was disappointed.
Both Lidl and Aldi were a little more expensive than Morrison’s, but you can buy more tea bags that seem to be of better quality. Morrison’s tea was really weak, and I don’t think it was worth the money.
Rating: 3/10
Tesco — £1.25 for 80 tea bags
Tesco was the cheapest supermarket for tea bags, so they are an excellent choice if you are on a budget. However, I was pretty disappointed, as they did not have any flavour, and it turned out to be a really bland beverage.
I would only really recommend Tesco if you are desperate for a cuppa and just want something warm to drink. I am going to give them an average rating as it was not unpleasant, but was just bland, as it did not have much taste.
Rating: 5/10
Sainsbury’s — £1.55 for 80 tea bags
Sainsbury’s tea was great, and I liked the taste, but it was much more mellow and had a softer flavour.
It was not as strong as Lidl’s or Aldi’s tea, and I would say it was more balanced and almost sweet. If you are someone who likes milky tea, then I think you would really enjoy this brew.
Rating: 7/10
Lidl — £1.99 for 160 tea bags
My first impression of Lidl tea bags is that they came in a massive blue box with 160 bags, so it’s worth the money when it comes to quantity.
However, it is also definitely worth when it comes to quality as I really enjoyed this cup of tea. It was smooth and sturdy, while still holding plenty of flavour. If you enjoy a good, strong tea to wake you up in the morning, then I highly recommend Lidl’s.
Rating: 8/10
Aldi — £1.99 for 160 tea bags
The tea bags you get from Aldi are sold in a big box with 160 bags inside. After making myself a brew, I was pleasantly surprised. Now, Aldi’s own-brand tea bags have quickly become my favourite.
The tea is strong and full-bodied without overpowering the milk, and it has a toasty aroma that you can smell as soon as you open the box. It is a rich, satisfying drink that feels comforting without being too heavy.
In my opinion, Aldi’s Red Label tastes just as good as Yorkshire Tea while still being a pretty reasonable price. This is now my go-to morning drink, and I would not have my brew any other way.
Rating – 10/10