steep more rapidly and release more flavour per leaf than an unbroken leaf. Packaging The majority of tea is sold as boxes of tea bags, but all of the major brands are available in loose leaf form, allowing the consumer to inspect the proportion of hand-picked buds and whole tea leaves as against broken fannings of indeterminate origin. When brewed, the tea varies in colour from very dark red to brown. See also English breakfast tea English afternoon tea Full breakfast Tea culture in Ireland Tea in the United Kingdom References Blended tea Irish cuisine Irish drinks