Thompsons Punjana Tea Bags 80 per pack

Product Information

Assam tea provides caffeine, which could be a detractor for anyone avoiding or limiting their intake of this stimulant.

The father-of-two is in huge demand by the Women's Institute and various clubs for his tea talks. (He opts for one of his "endless" cups of Punjana, with semi-skimmed milk, when I visit his spacious office in the factory; I have Thompson's Green Tea with Lemon - they use the rind for enhanced flavour.) Assam may be sold in loose-leaf form or pre-portioned tea bags. If you buy loose-leaf, you’ll want to aim for about 1 teaspoon (around 2 grams) of tea per 8 ounces (240 ml) of water. On a recent trip to India, a herd of wild elephants appeared on one of the plantations, nibbling at the shade trees that are planted to protect the tea bushes from the sun.Some research indicates that tannins bind with iron in your food, potentially rendering it unavailable for digestion. This reaction affects your absorption of plant-based iron sources much more than it does animal sources ( 15). No one believes that we're a Northern Ireland company, not international," says Ross, a tall, lean man, who resembles the actor Ian McIlhenny. "We only recently came out as the family behind Punjana - people wanted to know the provenance behind the brand. Everyone knows the jingle." Assam tea is often described as having a malty flavor and a rich, savory aroma. These distinct features are typically attributed to the tea’s unique production process. The brand also has a following in the east coast of the US, where it supplies hotels with its premium line Thompson’s Irish breakfast blend. The Punjana brand has won more Great Taste Awards gold gongs than any other blended tea bag in the UK and Ireland over the last 10 years.

Belfast-born Ross is in awe of his father and uncle's courage in taking out that famous ad on the night of the launch of Ulster Television, and for their ability to have their business up and running again only eight weeks after an IRA bomb destroyed their original premises in Ann Street at the height of the Troubles, in 1975. Like many others, I had no idea that Punjana is blended in a factory close to the city centre, and owned locally by cousins Ross and David Thompson. Yet the company produces tea for over a third of the country's tea drinkers, equating to more than one million tea bags every day, in Northern Ireland alone. Prebiotics are compounds found in various foods that support the growth and maintenance of healthy bacteria in your gut ( 10).Although Assam tea makes for a healthy beverage for most people, it may not be appropriate for everyone. Caffeine content After fresh Assam tea leaves are harvested and withered, they undergo an oxidation process — also referred to as fermentation — that exposes them to oxygen in a controlled-temperature environment for a designated period of time ( 3). I could hardly spell the word 'tea' at the time," he admits. "But I fell in love with India and the whole process. I drink Punjana all day. I save Darjeeling tea leaves - the Champagne of tea - which are more expensive, for special occasions.

His sons, James (Ross's father) and Tony (David's father), both of whom have now passed on, developed the brand and introduced tea-bags in the 1950s. It was Ross's beautiful mother Lillias who came up with the name Punjana after her husband James Thompson, when passing the Gillespie statue in Comber Square, Co Down, noticed an inscription relating to the Punjab. As a precaution, it’s best to practice moderation and avoid excessive consumption of Assam tea. Summary Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive and widely available. You can find it in tea shops, your local grocery store, or online. Make sure to choose a high-quality brand, as these usually boast a greater concentration of beneficial compounds ( 18). It's one of the most recognisable jingles in television history, straight from the cheery 1960s advertising style depicted in the American series inspired by the industry Mad Men. I don't like Earl Grey - the bergamot distorts the taste of the tea. "Fruit and herbal teas have become popular - ours have won 10 gold stars - but I prefer plain Punjana. I drink gallons of it."

And their fussiness has paid off. In this year alone, the family-owned business amassed a record-breaking total of 23 star awards in the Great Taste Awards 2016, with Punjana, Northern Ireland's best-selling tea, and Thompson's Irish Breakfast tea-bags achieving top honours with the maximum three stars.

You have to develop a palate. David and I usually agree but we're not afraid to disagree - which makes the process more interesting. It keeps us competitive, to find the best. We're a wee bit fussy, I'm afraid. If you’re unsure whether caffeine is appropriate for your lifestyle, talk to your medical practitioner before adding Assam tea to your routine. Reduced iron absorption Tea frequently contains heavy metals, such as aluminum, although the amount present in any given tea is highly variable. The kids there are amazing - they smile at anything. They'll see me, this big tall white man and they might think, 'He looks nasty', but they look for a reason to be happy, when they've little to be happy about. They're full of joy. It does make you think about the difference in young ones here, with all their gadgets." The iconic jingle, by former local ad man Rex McCaine, has been resurrected to celebrate the company's 120 years in business in Belfast - yes, Belfast.I'd be awake all night if I drank that much tea and any decaffeinated brands I've tried so far (not including Thompson's) are vile. Ross works in his factory office five days a week. Don't his frequent cuppas affect his sleep? If you’re pregnant, it’s suggested to limit caffeine consumption to no more than 200 mg per day ( 14). Excessive aluminum intake can contribute to bone loss and neurological damage, especially for people with kidney disease ( 16).