"Welcome to Five Senses Coffee"

With the Queen in Australia and CHOGM in full flow, my thoughts naturally turned to a liquid that is drunk across the Commonwealth — tea. Five Senses’ new range to be precise. I love tea and the rituals involved in drinking it. So first up, was a morning favourite; English breakfast. This one was great, assured and bracing, with hints of dark chocolate and spice. A perfect way to kick start the day. Next in line was Earl Grey. A bright, refreshing drink, scented with bergamot and layered with notes of citrus, the Earl Grey was a beautiful orangey, golden colour in the cup.

The chamomile is a perfect drink for Australia with its green and gold colours. Its rich, hay-like scent of dried flowers translated to a cup bursting with the flavours of summer and hints of grass and honey. The thing about tea is that there really is a drink for everyone. To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of chai, but this robust version has quickly become a new favourite. Warming and studded with fruit and spice, it smells like Christmas, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. To my surprise, I preferred it with milk which seemed to complement the spicy flavours beautifully. In contrast, the organic peppermint is straightforwardly wholesome. Pure, clean, fresh mint leaves grown on a pristine organic estate. It’s fresh, bright and unsullied — just the thing after a big meal. As for the green tea, it’s cleansing, bracing and refreshing, with a light, grassy, herbaceous undertone. You can almost feel the astringent green leaves doing you good.

Tea is so versatile. Whether it is a revivifying cup of English breakfast in the morning, drunk half asleep against the kitchen counter. Or that Sunday afternoon treat of High Tea with friends — little cakes, silly sandwiches, pretty cups filled with golden Earl Grey and the scent of bergamot in the air. There’s something for everyone, no matter what your mood or the time of day. Perhaps best of all I love peppermint tea before bed, partly I’m sure for the soothing ritual of warming the pot and pouring hot water on fresh minty leaves. I wonder which tea the Queen drinks? Maybe it’s a bracing mug of English breakfast with Philip at dawn, while he entertains her with some of his famous asides. Whatever. It really is a drink for us all. Diverse like the Commonwealth, yet as democratic as you can get.