A family business founded in Harrogate in 1886, Yorkshire Tea has worked hard to stay true to its love of fairness, flavour and quality.
With a motto of ‘where everything’s done proper’, this British icon has gone on to become one of the most popular brews on the planet, synonymous with a strong cuppa that can fix anything – but did you know this brew can be used for much more?
All tea comes from one type of bush called ‘camellia sinensis’. It can grow wherever the climate is right but most of Yorkshire’s tea is mainly grown in Assam and East Africa. Soil, climate and rainfall all affect the quality and flavour of the tea leaves as does the way it is picked and handled.
Tea leaves are laid out to dry and ferment, or oxidise – a natural reaction that gradually happens when picked leaves meet oxygen, turning them from green to brown and developing their flavour. A blast in a hot oven stops the fermentation at the right point, then the leaves are sized, graded and sold to tea companies, like Yorkshire.
Former My Kitchen Rules winner, Will Stewart has developed recipes using Yorkshire Tea that are sure to tempt any sweet tooth – from shortbread to decadent fruit loaves and tarts.
Try his recipe for Yorkshire Tea & Toast Tart as a delicious treat for afternoon tea, or it can be served as a dessert with some fresh cream, ice cream or crème fraiche:
"I made this to try to recreate the taste of a proper brew and buttery toast that I used to have with my porridge in the mornings back in England,” he says. "The Yorkshire Tea Proper Strong was the perfect brew to use to bring flavour to the sweet, sticky filling and really make you feel like you’re having breakfast for dessert.
"There is a lot of sweetness in the tart and the robust and full-bodied nature of the Proper Strong brew really stands up to this and ensures the delicious flavour of the tea comes through in the tart.”
Want to add some extra flavour to your next batch of shortbread? This tea-infused shortbread recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any afternoon tea session with girlfriends or a family celebration, bringing depth of flavour to the buttery goodness of the biscuits.
Spice up your next fruit loaf with Yorkshire tea and this recipe which combines ginger, mixed fruit, mixed spice and cinnamon to create a delicious snack or dessert that won’t last long once it hits the table!
