This is also known as "Empress Afternoon" after the Empress Hotel in Victoria BC, down the street from Murchie's main tea store, and where this brand is served with ritual formality every afternoon. I see why. No English "afternoon" tea I've tried clearly beats this blend for darkness, richness and fullness of flavor, though a couple match or nearly so. Unlike many blacks, one can brew this a long time and still not exhaust the flavor--make it as light or dense as you wish!

We've ridden the ferry to Victoria twice since our first trip in 2003, and each time, made a point to grab a couple tins of this blend for the suitcase. You should too. Though we haven't, thanks to direct visits, it's well worth ordering online.

[Update--the company has dropped the name "Empress" from the tea since the famous hotel was bought by a big chain and stopped serving the local (Murchie's) product. Still, the tea is excellent!]

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