In the foggy London of the 1920s, Arthur Betjeman and Percy Barton frequented the tea rooms of Mayfair and Knightsbridge, captivated by the art of the British breakfast. Every morning, they observed this sacred ritual where robust and hearty black tea accompanied scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and orange marmalade. This beverage, both energizing and comforting, embodied for them the very essence of the English way of life.
Back in Paris, in their shop in the 8th arrondissement, they felt compelled to share this discovery with the French. They conceived a blend inspired by classic English breakfast teas, but designed for the refined Parisian palate: a subtle balance of strength and elegance, power and smoothness. This tea evoked their London memories, the first light over Hyde Park, the hushed mornings in Knightsbridge hotels, and carried within it a simple wish: to make every cup an elegant French awakening.
They began to blend the gems they had discovered during their many travels. First, Ceylon teas, picked in the misty highlands of Dimbula, for their characteristic vibrancy, refreshing astringency, and ability to cut through milk without losing their distinctive character. Then, black teas from China, notably Keemun from Anhui province, rounder and sweeter, to bring depth, a malty touch, and a smoothness that envelops the palate. The blend was adjusted, reworked, and tasted at dawn for weeks until they found the perfect balance: a tea that stands on its own but truly blossoms when combined with a touch of milk.
The blend was an immediate success in Paris. But legend has it that it quickly won hearts far beyond the French capital. They exported it to London, where it found its place on the shelves of a famous department store on Brompton Road. There, among the fine preserves and luxurious hampers, the Parisian blend earned a place of honor… The rumor spread through the salons of Mayfair: it is said that the Queen herself became a fervent admirer.
Thus it was christened "Breakfast Royal", not only in homage to the British crown and the nobility of the morning ritual, but also in celebration of this symbolic conquest: a French tea that had managed to seduce the heart of England, right up to the very gates of Buckingham Palace… what audacity!
Over the decades, Breakfast Royal has become one of Betjeman & Barton's signature blends. The pickers of Dimbula continue to select the leaves on the steep slopes of Ceylon, while the gardens of Keemun deliver their finest Chinese harvests. Each batch is blended with the same care and exacting standards to preserve the balance envisioned by Arthur and Percy more than a century ago.
Drinking a Breakfast Royal is like stepping back into the memories of the founders, rediscovering the spirit of an era when morning tea was an act of civilization. It's savoring a blend that transcends time and borders without aging a day, a tea that says "Good Morning" with panache, and whose name echoes royal approval.
