With winter almost here, one of the best comforts can be as simple as a warming cup of tea. That’s definitely true in my case, as someone who is really feeling the cold this year. 

Few know tea quite like Birchall Tea. In fact, it is the UK’s most awarded tea for taste, and its Great Rift English Breakfast Tea has won a Great Taste Award for an extraordinary 16 consecutive years.

As temperatures fall, the ritual of making a good cuppa – however you choose to do it – is one of the nation’s oldest, simplest and most comforting ways to keep the cold at bay. Not that there are many occasions which don’t call for tea…

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. From a steaming mug of tea to taking five minutes for yourself. So, here are five simple, affordable ways to bring a little extra warmth and comfort to even the chilliest winter days.

1. Start the Day with a Warming Drink

There’s something wonderfully comforting about wrapping your hands around a steaming hot drink while looking out at the morning frost. Before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, it is the perfect time to take a few moments and enjoy a proper cuppa, like the rich, full-bodied Birchall Great Rift English Breakfast Tea. A simple but satisfying way to ease into a cold winter’s day. I drink mine black (tea without milk always seems to confuse people) but most people enjoy theirs with a splash of milk.

2. Make Time for an Afternoon Tea Break

When the temperature drops and the afternoons turn dark, there’s no better excuse to put the kettle on, brew a fragrant cup of Birchall Earl Grey – which combines black tea with the distinctive citrus notes of bergamot – and enjoy a little treat. After all, an afternoon tea ritual can make an ordinary day feel that bit more special.

3. Wrap Up Warm and Get Comfortable

Fluffy socks, a cosy jumper, a soft blanket, a microwavable hottie, and a mug of your favourite tea. What more could you need? The perfect recipe for a cosy winter afternoon.

4. Create A Cosy Corner

You don’t need to redecorate to create a little winter sanctuary. All you need is a comfortable spot, a warm -light lamp, a good book, a blanket, and your favourite mug of tea. A soothing cup of Birchall Camomile, a refreshing Peppermint infusion or even a sweet Red Berry & Flower tea makes the perfect caffeine-free companion for a little downtime.

5. Wind Down with an Evening Cuppa

As the evenings draw in, it’s a chance to enjoy life’s simpler pleasures and swap doomscrolling for a more relaxing evening ritual, whether that’s watching your favourite programme, listening to music or simply putting your feet up. Caffeine-free options, such as Birchall’s Lemongrass & Ginger or Cederberg Redbush, offer a lovely way to warm up and round off the day.

Birchall Tea is available nationwide at Waitrose, online at www.birchalltea.co.uk and through selected independent retailers. Prices start from £5.50 RRP for a box of 80 Great Rift Breakfast Blend plant-based tea bags.