What is black tea?

Black tea comes from the Camilla Sinensis tea bush. How do those tea leaves from the Camilla Sinensis end up as different kinds of teas depends on what happens to the leaves after they have been picked off the tea bush.

So why is this tea so dark in color and full of flavor?

It is because of the complex fermentation process that it is put through. This process also includes exposing the crushed tea leaves to the air for a specific and precise number of minutes.

It is generally stronger in flavor and contains more caffeine than other lightly oxidized teas.

Quick facts:

Did you know that althoughgreen tea is increasing in popularity, black tea still accounts for over 90% of what is sold in the Western world.
In Chinese, this tea is known as red tea. However, in the Western world, red tea is used to refer to the South African rooibos tea.
It is able to retain its flavor for several years whereas green tea will lose its flavor within one year.
The name of this tea can be used to describe a cup of tea without milk.
In the U.K., this tea is rarely consumed black. This is due to the English's common practice of adding milk to their tea.

Health benefits:

May help to lower cholesterol.
Contains antioxidants which may prevent cancers.
May also reduce the chance of having a stroke.
Helps to prevent tooth decay.
Good for the heart.
A gentle stimulant.

It's important to remember that tea research is still in the early stages. As time goes on and more and more people become lovers of tea, more will be uncovered in regards to this tea's health and medicinal benefits.

Varieties

In general, black teas are named after the region where they were produced. Different regions affect black teas differently in the characteristics of their individual flavors.

The following are Chinese black teas:

Lapsand Souchong black tea.
It has a smoky and dark flavor because of how it is dried over a wood fire. It is originally from Mount Wuyi, Fujian Province, China.

Keemun.
It has a wine like and fruity taste. It comes from Anhui Province in Central China. It is a famous Chinese tea and is also number 7 in China's Most Famous Tea.

Dian Hong.
The Dian Hong produces a brew that is a brassy golden orange color. It has a sweet, gentle aroma and is not bitter.
However, should you come across the cheaper varieties of Dian Hong, the brew will be a dark brownish color and the brew can be very bitter, so watch out!
Dian Hong comes from the Yunnan Province, China.

Ying De Hong.
This tea is often found to be of a very poor quality. Beware, some varieties that are produced can sometimes look like the leaves that are used to make Oolong tea.This tea should have a cocoa-like aroma and a sweet aftertaste.
It comes from Guangdong Province, China.

The following are Indian and Sri Lankan black teas:

Assam.
This tea is known for it's brisk, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. It is also known as English Breakfast Tea, Irish Breakfast Tea, and Scottish Breakfast Tea. It is grown in Assma, India.

Ceylon.
It is grown in Sri Lanka. It has a citrus-like crisp aroma.

Darjeeling.
This tea has traditionally been prized above all other black teas, especially in the U.K. and other countries compromising the former British Empire. It has a second name which is The Champagne of Teas. It's taste is fruity and spicy. It comes from West Bengal, India.

Nilgiri.
This tea is a dark intensely aromatic and flavorful tea that is grown in the southern portion of the Western Ghats mountains of Southern India. Most of the Nilgiri tea production comes from The Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu in India.

Are you interested in learning information on earl grey tea?

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