A lovely cup of tea...

Despite being a big coffee drinker, I do love a nice cup of tea... Earl Grey, no milk or lemon, and preferably in a porcelain cup and saucer.

As I've mentioned before, I'm a complete sucker for nicely packaged goods. This fine selection of tea, however, doesn't only look great in the cupboard, they all taste great in the cup too...

1. Ceylon 1 is organic single estate tea from Sri Lanka. Superb quality, infused with pure, natural bergamot oil. The company support local charities to develop projects which help less fortunate street children gain education and health care, by donating 10% of all profits to these causes.

2. Peyton & Byrne finest, limited production tea, again from Sri Lanka, and infused with pure, natural bergamot oil. Adorable dotty packaging.

3. Brewhaha also Sri Lankan, is Ps favourite. I love the idea that Brewhaha was started in 2004 by a woman in Glasgow as a result of considering her options when deciding to return to work after having children. I also like the idea that the company operate socially responsible trading. It could be my favourite brew too...

4. Twinings of London have, amazingly, been trading from the same shop in London, since 1706. Their organic Earl Grey tea is very, very good. AND it's by Royal appointment to the Queen no less... can't say fairer than that!

5. Last, but by no means least, we have Kusmi Tea. This is black China tea, and very sophisticated. Last year Kusmi celebrated their 140th birthday. Their packaging is my favourite by far!

Another reason for enjoying tea, is that I get to use our absolutely beautiful Royal Copenhagen Princess teapot. The Arnold Krog design dates back to the 1880's and even though he was artistic director of the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain at the time, the service wasn't put in to production until 1978.

Check out the toadstool on the lid... beautiful craftsmanship, and still painted by hand to this day!