Winter Blend

The Winter Blend is one of Betjeman & Barton's iconic creations. It was born in the early 1980s, a time when the House was exploring new avenues in the art of blending. The idea was simple on the surface: to compose a winter black tea that was comforting, structured, and balanced. But its creation proved unique, as it relied on a rarely attempted bold move: incorporating Yunnan into a blend.

Traditionally, blended black teas combine Assam for strength and body, and Ceylon or Darjeeling for finesse and aromatic clarity. Yunnan, from the high mountains of southwest China, belongs more to the world of single-origin teas: it is best enjoyed on its own, so pronounced is its aromatic personality. Its woody, honeyed notes and smooth texture make it a complete, almost meditative tea.

It is precisely this uniqueness that inspired the creation of the Winter Blend. The idea was to create a dialogue between three great terroirs, three complementary characters:
• Yunnan, for its velvety warmth and aromatic depth;
• Assam, for its malty richness and structuring vigor;
• Darjeeling, for its floral and luminous touch which balances the whole.

The result is a black tea of ​​great harmony, both full-bodied and precise, designed to accompany the colder months of the year.

The choice to make this a winter blend is not insignificant. Black teas are naturally more appreciated during the colder months: their denser infusion, richness in tannins, and warmer aromatic profile provide an immediate feeling of comfort. While green and white teas evoke freshness, black teas offer a warm taste and an enveloping structure that meet the physiological and sensory needs of winter.
Theine also helps maintain energy and alertness as daylight fades. It's a revitalizing and comforting drink, ideal for cool mornings or quiet late afternoons, when you want to warm up without feeling heavy.

In this context, the Winter Blend occupies a special place. Its Yunnan coffee softens the power of the Assam, while adding body to the Darjeeling. The result is an amber, silky, and persistent liqueur, marked by notes of malt, dry wood, and dark honey.

This blend perfectly illustrates Betjeman & Barton's philosophy: respecting tradition while embracing innovation. By incorporating a fine Chinese tea into a winter composition, the House has created a rare and balanced blend, capable of warming without overpowering, of awakening without being jarring—an ideal companion for the cold season, between a crackling fire and golden light.

Food and tea pairings
Morning Kick, a blend of Yunnan, Darjeeling, and Assam whiskies, truly comes into its own when paired with the rich aromas of a French-style roast duck. The malty power of the Assam complements the dense, flavorful flesh of a duck breast glazed with heather honey, while the honeyed, subtly cocoa notes of the Yunnan enhance the caramelization of the skin, adding a smooth, smoky depth. The Darjeeling, with its delicate floral character and touch of astringency, balances the richness of the fat, providing a luminous counterpoint to a reduction of mild spices and red wine.
Served neat to preserve its aromatic intensity, Morning Kick coats the palate between each bite and enhances the dish's depth. In a more daring pairing, it also accompanies duck with roasted figs, where it magnifies the candied fruit through a subtle interplay of freshness, warmth, and elegance: a true gastronomic pairing where tea becomes a partner of exceptional precision.

Recipe based on Winter Blend black tea
To enhance a red berry coulis, generously infuse the Winter Blend in boiling water until you obtain a rich and fragrant liqueur. Pour it, still warm, over fresh blackberries and raspberries with brown sugar and raw Scottish honey. Let it simmer gently; the fruit will soften and release its purple juices. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon and a pinch of fleur de sel. Blend this dark and velvety symphony: the strength of the tea blends with the generous astringency of the fruit. The coulis turns a deep ruby ​​purple, glazed with a brilliant shine. Pour it liberally over crème anglaise, pavlova, or vanilla ice cream… a decadent winter treat in a spoonful.