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      Momentos de la hora del té de McEntee - Blog

      ☘️ The History of St. Patrick’s Day — and Why Tea Is Part of the Tradition

      ☘️ The History of St. Patrick’s Day — and Why Tea Is Part of the Tradition

      Every year on March 17th, Ireland and the Irish diaspora around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a day filled with music, community, storytelling, and of course plenty of refreshments. While modern celebrations are often associated with pints and parades, there is another deeply rooted Irish tradition that has quietly been part of the day for generations — a good cup of tea.

      The Origins of St. Patrick’s Day

      St. Patrick’s Day commemorates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Britain in the late 4th century, Patrick was brought to Ireland as a slave before eventually escaping and later returning as a missionary.

      Over time, his legacy became woven into Irish culture and identity. March 17th, believed to be the date of his death in 461 AD, gradually became a day of remembrance and celebration.

      Originally, St. Patrick’s Day was a religious feast day, marked by church services and family gatherings. In fact, for much of the 20th century in Ireland, pubs were closed on March 17th. The day was more about community, hospitality, and sharing food and drink at home.

      And what drink was always on the table?

      Tea.

      Ireland’s Love Affair with Tea

      Ireland is one of the largest tea-drinking nations in the world. Tea became popular in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries and quickly became a staple of everyday life. It was affordable, warming, and perfect for bringing people together.

      By the time St. Patrick’s Day became widely celebrated, tea was already the centre of Irish hospitality.

      Visitors calling to the house on March 17th would often be greeted with:

      • A pot of strong Irish tea

      • Fresh bread or cake

      • Plenty of conversation and laughter

      Even today, many Irish families start St. Patrick’s morning with a strong cup of tea before heading out to parades, community events, or meeting friends and family.

      Tea and Irish Hospitality

      In Ireland, tea has always meant more than just a drink. It represents welcome, warmth, and conversation.

      Whether it’s:

      • catching up with neighbours,

      • warming up after a parade,

      • or settling down after a busy day of celebrations,

      there is always time to “put the kettle on.”

      At McEntee’s Tea, we love continuing this tradition — bringing people together over a proper Irish cup of tea.

      Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with McEntee’s Tea

      This St. Patrick’s Day, we’re celebrating the tradition of tea with a special offer.

      Use the code:

      LUCKYDAY10

      and enjoy 10% off your order at McEntee’s Tea.

      The code is valid until midnight on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th).

      So whether you’re hosting friends, watching the parade, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with a warm cup in hand, make it a proper Irish brew.

      ☘️ Shop now at:
      https://mcenteestea.com

      A Final Thought

      St. Patrick’s Day has grown into a global celebration of Irish culture, but at its heart it’s still about community, tradition, and hospitality.

      And sometimes the most authentic way to celebrate is also the simplest.

      A kettle on.
      A cup poured.
      And a moment shared.

      Happy St. Patrick’s Day from McEntee’s Tea. ☘️

      Is CTC Tea Stronger? Caffeine, Flavour Myths Explained

      CTC Leaf Tea

      If you’ve ever taken a sip of a strong breakfast tea and thought, “That’s powerful,” there’s a good chance you were drinking CTC tea.

      But is CTC tea actually stronger? Does it contain more caffeine? Or does it simply taste bolder? Let’s clear up the confusion.

      What Is CTC Tea?

      CTC stands for Crush, Tear, Curl, a method of processing black tea leaves where they are mechanically rolled into small, hard pellets. This technique is widely used in regions like Assam and Kenya, known for producing robust, full-bodied teas.

      Because the leaves are broken into much smaller pieces than orthodox tea, they have more surface area. This allows water to extract flavour, colour, and caffeine very quickly. The result is a dark, strong cup in a short amount of time — which is exactly why CTC is the foundation of traditional Irish breakfast teas.

      If you’ve ever taken a sip of a strong breakfast tea and thought, “That’s powerful,” there’s a good chance you were drinking CTC tea.

      But is CTC tea actually stronger? Does it contain more caffeine? Or does it simply taste bolder? Let’s clear up the confusion.

      What Is CTC Tea?

      CTC stands for Crush, Tear, Curl, a method of processing black tea leaves where they are mechanically rolled into small, hard pellets. This technique is widely used in regions like Assam and Kenya, known for producing robust, full-bodied teas.

      Because the leaves are broken into much smaller pieces than orthodox tea, they have more surface area. This allows water to extract all of the tea’s qualities — colour, aroma, flavour, body and Caffeine — very quickly. The result is a dark, strong cup in a short amount of time — which is exactly why CTC is the foundation of traditional Irish Breakfast teas.

      Does CTC Tea Have More Caffeine?

      The short answer is: not necessarily.

      Caffeine levels depend on the tea plant variety, the part of the leaf used, and how long the tea is brewed. 

      However, CTC tea often feels stronger because its flavour qualities are extracted faster from the smaller particles. When hot water hits those tightly rolled granules, the release is immediate and intense. So while the total caffeine may be similar to orthodox teas, the initial impact can seem more powerful.

      Why Does CTC Taste So Bold?

      The bold character of CTC tea comes down to structure. When leaves are crushed and torn, their cell walls break open more fully. This encourages rapid oxidation during production and rapid extraction during brewing.

      That’s why CTC tea develops a deep copper colour within minutes and delivers a brisk, punchy taste. Tannins release quickly, creating that satisfying bite many people associate with a “strong” cup.

      It isn’t about higher strength in a chemical sense — it’s about speed and intensity of extraction of all the tea’s qualities.

      CTC vs Orthodox Teas

      While orthodox teas preserve more of the leaf’s natural structure and highlight subtle aromas, Irish tea is traditionally CTC, designed for strength, consistency, and body. This is why a classic Irish breakfast cup delivers a bold, malty character that stands up to milk and sugar — a hallmark of the Irish tea experience.

      You can read more about why CTC is the secret behind strong Irish tea blends and why it has become the preferred method for breakfast teas worldwide.

      So, Is CTC Tea Stronger?

      If “stronger” means darker colour, faster brewing, and a bolder character, then yes, absolutely. If it means dramatically higher caffeine levels, the difference is usually minimal.

      CTC tea isn’t stronger because it contains more caffeine. It’s stronger because all of its qualities are extracted quickly and completely — reliable, robust, and ready in minutes.

      Nursing Homes are choosing McEntee’s Tea

      Nursing Homes are choosing McEntee’s Tea

      McEntee's Tea: The Heart of Social Life in Nursing Homes & Day Care Centres
      In nursing homes, tea is more than a drink — it’s comfort, connection and community. As the most served beverage in care homes, quality matters. Learn why more homes are moving to McEntee’s Tea for a smooth, traditional Irish cup that residents love.

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      New Products added to our Musgrave MarketPlace Extended Range!

      New Products added to our Musgrave MarketPlace Extended Range!

      At McEntee’s Tea, we believe that discerning tea drinkers are just as demanding as coffee lovers—and they deserve a better choice. We are thrilled to announce that sourcing a superior brew for your customers has never been easier, as we have added our long-awaited Irish Breakfast Biodegradable Teabags to the Musgrave MarketPlace Extended Range.

      The Taste of Tradition, Delivered with Convenience
      Crafted by Donal and Helen in rural Co. Louth, our new teabags recapture the robust taste and aroma of the better grades of tea we remember from generations ago. Using the traditional CTC (crush, tear, curl) method and a signature blend of highland and lowland teas, these teabags deliver the same full-bodied strength as our award-winning loose leaf.

      Now Available in Three Versatile Pack Sizes:
      To support everything from boutique retail to high-volume hospitality, our 5-star rated Irish Breakfast teabags are now available on Musgrave MarketPlace in:
      1. Retail Boxes (80 Teabags): Perfectly sized for shop shelves and home kitchens.
      2. Catering Packs (400 Teabags): 5 x 80-pack bundles, foil-wrapped for maximum freshness.
      3. Bulk Food Service (960 Teabags): Our most cost-effective solution for busy cafes and restaurants needing consistent, high-quality volume.

      Why Your Customers Will Love Them
      Our teabags aren't just convenient—they are "Brew-tastic." At 8cm x 6.5cm, they are larger than standard bags, giving the tea ample space to infuse quickly. As one customer put it in their 5-star review: "No waiting around... less than a minute for it to infuse. We are no longer going back to our previous brand!"
      Combined with our biodegradable materials and recyclable packaging, you can offer your customers a premium "taste of home" that is kind to the planet.
      Order today via Musgrave MarketPlace or contact us for direct wholesale enquiries.

      McEntee’s Tea lanza nuevas bolsitas de té biodegradables – El mismo gran sabor

      McEntee’s Tea Launches New Biodegradable Teabags – Same Great Taste

      ¡Te escuchamos!

      Durante años, nuestros clientes nos han dicho cuánto les encanta el sabor rico y con cuerpo de McEntee’s Tea, pero muchos querían la conveniencia de una bolsita sin comprometer la calidad. ¡Los escuchamos!

      Después de años perfeccionando la mezcla y diseñando cuidadosamente el tamaño de la bolsita para asegurar la infusión perfecta y profundidad de sabor, estamos encantados de ofrecerte la misma auténtica experiencia de té irlandés para el desayuno – ahora en una bolsita biodegradable fácil de preparar.

      Compra Ahora: 80 Bolsitas de Té Irlandés para el Desayuno Biodegradables de McEntee’s

       


       

      ¿Por qué Bolsitas de Té Biodegradables?

      Porque a veces anhelas el sabor completo de una verdadera taza de McEntee’s Tea, pero también quieres la facilidad y conveniencia de una bolsita de té. Con nuestras Bolsitas de Té Irish Breakfast Blend, puedes disfrutar del mismo sabor rico que amas — en cualquier momento, en cualquier lugar, sin compromisos.

      Muchas bolsitas de té tradicionales contienen fibras plásticas, lo que significa que no se descomponen completamente en compost o vertederos. En McEntee’s, hemos trabajado duro para encontrar la bolsita de té adecuada que no comprometa el medio ambiente ni tu taza.

      Nuestras nuevas bolsitas de té biodegradables están hechas de materiales naturales y sostenibles, asegurando que cada taza que disfrutes sea un paso hacia un planeta más limpio.

      Bolsitas de té 100% biodegradables
      El mismo té irlandés para el desayuno, rico y suave
      Empaque de cartón totalmente reciclable
      Sin comprometer la calidad ni el sabor

       


       

      Un Paso Adelante para los Amantes del Té y el Planeta

      Como un negocio familiar, creemos en mantenernos fieles a la tradición mientras abrazamos el futuro. Este lanzamiento es parte de nuestro compromiso de tomar decisiones responsables y sostenibles mientras seguimos ofreciendo la experiencia premium de té que nuestros clientes aman.

      ¡Estamos ansiosos por que lo pruebes! Nuestro nuevo paquete de 80 bolsitas biodegradables ya está disponible en línea y en tiendas seleccionadas.

      Disfruta tu taza favorita de té irlandés para el desayuno McEntee's, fuerte, suave y con cuerpo - ahora en una práctica bolsita de té.

       


       

      Dónde comprar

      Ordena Ahora: 80 Bolsitas de Té Irlandés para el Desayuno Biodegradables de McEntee’s

      🍵 Explora Nuestra Gama Completa de Tés: Colección de Té McEntee’s