Black Tea
Black tea is a type of tea that is more oxidized than oolong, green and white teas. Black tea is the most common type of tea, but there are so many varieties to choose from, from Assam and gunpowder tea to Keemun and black sencha. It is a rich, full-bodied form of tea that has a strong flavour and often forms the base for flavoured teas such as Earl Grey.
What is black tea?
Black tea is the most popular type of tea in the west, but the forms of black tea are diverse. It’s a tea that can be enjoyed hot and cold, with milk and sugar or sweetened with syrup and served over ice. It comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant and is allowed to oxidise fully before being processed and dried. This gives it its signature bold and astringent flavour.
Where did black tea originate from?
Black tea was brought over from China by the Portuguese in the 16th century, as it was found to improve concentration and health. The black tea leaves were fermented and oxidised so they could survive long journeys while being brought over to Europe.
What does black tea taste like?
When brewed correctly, black tea has a smoky, earthy and rich taste with fruity, citrus undertones.
Do you drink black tea with milk?
Black tea works well with and without milk, so it is really a matter of preference. It can also be drunk hot or cold, depending on which you prefer.
Does black tea contain caffeine?
Black tea typically contains between 50-90mg of caffeine per cup, but there are many factors that influence caffeine levels. You may make your tea stronger or weaker, or add milk which could make the caffeine levels lower.
How to brew black tea
Black tea is the easiest to steep – start with one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup of nearly boiling water and let them steep for 2-6 minutes, depending on your tastes. Darjeeling black teas tend to taste better with a shorter steep time, while other types of tea can be brewed for longer.
What are the benefits of black tea?
Packed with antioxidants and polyphenols, black tea is beneficial to your health in a number of ways. It can help to protect the body against disease, while also improving heart health and energy.
Why you should trust our black teas
We offer a wide variety of loose black teas to choose from to match your tastes, all of which are sourced directly from tea growers and approved quality suppliers. Many of our teas are also sourced from Ethical Tea Partnerships growers and certified organic, so you can guarantee high quality.