Are you one of us? I meant to say that are you also a tea lover like us? If your answer is yes, then you must stick to this article until the end because we are going to unfold delicious and different types of black tea. Did you think that all black tea is the same? Oh no, you might have missed some of the greatest flavours but don’t you worry as we are here to guide you!
I personally call black tea the crowd-pleaser because it’s loved by millions! Additionally, it’s bold, flavourful and always prepared to lift your spirits. With so many varieties to explore, finding the one that matches your taste and preferences can be a little tricky. But, as I said, we’ve got you covered — let’s explore the different types of black tea and find the perfect cup of black tea for you!
Black Tea: A Taste Of Flavours & Rich Traditions!
If you have ever had Earl Grey Latte or London Fog, then let me tell you that these two are prepared with black tea. There are different varieties of black tea that exist and offer different flavours like bold, malty, light and floral, which entirely depend on where it’s grown and how it is processed.
Similar to wine, black tea can be classified by region, cultivar, or character. In general, black tea can be separated into two categories: flavoured tea and unflavoured tea. flavoured black teas (such as Earl Grey) are named based on their style, taste or character. Single-origin, unflavoured black teas (like Assam) are named after the region they’re from.
In simple words, there is no fixed number of black tea types, and that’s what makes it so interesting! But why is it like that? Actually, the variation in number relies on how you classify black tea. Just like wine, black tea is classified depending on its region, cultivar and flavour profile.
For example, black tea is divided into two categories: flavoured and unflavoured. Flavoured teas like Earl Grey are named on the basis of their taste, character or style. On the other hand, unflavoured teas are named after the region where they are cultivated and have their own unique character.
Black tea is cultivated and processed across the world, and the climate & altitude of each region influence the flavour of the tea, making every variety unique. The biggest producers of black tea are India, China, Sri Lanka and Africa. Whether it’s the malty strength of Assam, the bright briskness of Ceylon tea, or the smoky notes of Lapsang Souchong, each and every region gives black tea its own wonderful twist.
What Is The Process Of Making Black Tea?
The process of making black tea includes just four simple steps; let’s have a look:
a) Wither — After the harvesting of the tea leaves is completed, they are laid out in a thin layer for approximately 14 to 18 hours. Traditionally, this particular process was carried out outdoors under the sun, but modern tea producers generally wither the tea leaves indoors. At this stage, the moisture content in the tea leaves is reduced but not eliminated completely, as the leaves still need to be pliable for further processing.
b) Roll — A machine is used to roll and twist the tea leaves so that the leaf walls break. This process helps in initiating oxidation, which further develops the flavour and colour of the tea.
c) Oxidize — After rolling tea leaves, they are left aside to rest and undergo oxidation. The time duration of this process varies based on the tea type and the flavour the tea producer desires to create. The colour of the tea leaves changes from light green to a rich brown.
d) Dry — Once the tea leaves are oxidized properly for the right amount of time, they are dried using a dryer. This process (heat) stops oxidation, which helps lock in the desired aroma and flavour. The tea is ready to be packed and shipped off for customers to savour.
Understanding The Basic Black Tea Grades
Black tea is classified into different grades, which depend on the size of the leaf, flush, and the method of processing. Knowing the grades of black tea actually helps you choose the black tea that best suits your taste preferences. This tea grading system is generally utilized in India and nearby regions like Nepal. Also, this grading system is for raw tea leaves, not brewed tea. Therefore, these tea grades help in figuring out the best quality of the fresh leaves.
Here, we have explained the basic black tea grades; let’s read about them!
a) Orange Pekoe (OP): The most popular grade of black tea is none other than Orange Pekoe, which is nothing like its name. The tea doesn’t have any orange flavour or colour. Actually, the name refers to the quality and size of the tea leaves. It’s a medium-grade black tea that is prepared from whole leaves. The word “pekoe” means the unopened leaf buds rolled to make long and wiry strands. Orange Pekoe black tea is characterized by its slender and long tea leaves.
b) Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP): Next one is the Broken Orange Pekoe or BOP, which is a type of black tea prepared from broken, smaller tea leaves. These tea leaves are smaller in size when compared to Orange Pekoe. When brewed, these tea leaves create a strong and robust flavour. Broken Orange Pekoe is generally utilized in tea bags and is popular for its bold flavour.
c) Fannings And Dustings: Fannings and Dustings are known as the smallest black tea grades. Fannings are made up of small tea leaf fragments, and dustings are even finer, almost like powder, which is made from the processing of tea leaves. This tea grade is used in tea bags because they do not take much time to brew and have very strong flavours. Fannings and dustings are also the cheapest black tea grade.
d) Additional Titles: Each black tea grade also consists of extra labels such as golden, flowery or tippy, and these labels explain the quality and appearance of the tea leaves. For example, golden refers to the golden hue of the tea leaves; flowery means the tea includes some tips & buds, and tippy signifies that it contains more tips. These labels help in understanding the details of the tea leaves.
Orange Pekoe Tea Recipe & It’s Health Benefits
The 11 Best Black Teas From Around the World
1) Assam Black Tea
Assam black tea gets its name from the region of Assam, located in eastern India, where it is cultivated. In the 1830s, the British saw an opportunity to compete with Chinese tea producers, so they started producing tea in India. Since then, Assam has become the largest tea producer all over the world.
Assam black tea is mainly grown at or near sea level, and the tropical climate, as well as an adequate amount of rainfall, gives this tea a rich and chocolaty profile. It is widely known for its bold, strong, brisk & malty flavour and deep colour. Assam black tea can be enjoyed plain or with a touch of honey and milk of your choice.
Delicious Assam Milk Tea Recipe & Its Health Benefits
2) Darjeeling Black Tea
Darjeeling tea originates only from the hilly areas of Darjeeling in India. This tea cannot be grown in any other part of the world. It’s often called the “champagne of tea” as it has the perfect light, fruity and floral taste. However, the character/flavour of the black tea can vary based on when it is harvested. Every year has four harvest seasons, which are known as “flushes”.
The spring flush has a fresh, grassy flavour and is the most sought-after harvest of the tea. The summer flush, or second flush in June, has a spicy and fruity character. The later flushes in autumn and winter tend to have a stronger and more bitter flavour. Darjeeling black tea is best enjoyed on its own, without milk or sugar.
Darjeeling Tea Recipe And Its Surprising Health Benefits
3) Nilgiri
Nilgiri tea, also called Blue Mountain tea, is cultivated in small crops on the Western Ghats located in Southern India. Nilgiri tea is grown in small batches at extremely high altitudes, and some farms are over 8,000 feet above sea level, which makes it the highest-elevation tea in the whole world. Nilgiri black tea variety has a gentle aroma, a light sweetness and a smooth, medium body with fruity hints in the flavour. To enjoy Nilgiri tea, steep it in hot water between 200–212°F (93.5–100°C) for approximately 2 to 3 minutes and serve right away.
4) Masala Chai
Masala Chai, which means spiced tea, has its roots in ancient Ayurvedic traditions in India. It is a delicious combination of Assam black tea and warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and ginger. There are different versions of Masala Chai as well that include other spices such as nutmeg and star anise. To brew Masala Chai, steep the tea at 200–212°F (93.5–99°C) for about 3 to 5 minutes. It can be enjoyed plain, or milk and honey can be added to balance the vivid flavours.
5) Ceylon Black Tea
Ceylon tea comes from Sri Lanka, an island country formerly called Ceylon at the time of British rule. When tea from this region gained popularity in the early 19th century, the word “Ceylon” became associated with it and is still being utilized today. Sri Lanka has an amazing range of different terroirs & altitudes, and that’s why their tea plantations tend to produce a wide variety of flavours.
Teas cultivated at low elevations have a bold, spicy flavour and produce a deep burgundy-brown brew. On the other hand, higher elevation teas are extra delicate, have nuanced flavour profiles, and appear to be darker black teas. Ceylon tea flavours are bold enough to be paired with milk, honey or lemon. It’s also the best option to prepare refreshing iced tea.
6) Yunnan Black Tea
Yunnan black tea is from Yunnan Province, situated in China, and locally, Yunnan teas are called Dianhong. Its high content of soft leaf buds, generally known as “golden tips”, makes it more special than other types of black teas. Yunnan black tea has a rich, smooth flavour with subtle notes of honey, chocolate and pepper. This tea gives a brassy orange brew when steeped instead of a black or brown colour like most black teas.
7) Lapsang Souchong
Lapsang Souchong is a unique black tea that emanates from the high Wuyu mountains in Fujian Province located on the southeast coast of China. The tea is dried over burning pine fires, which helps it to develop a strong, smoky flavour and aroma. Lapsang Souchong is quite popular because of its bold, piney flavour profile and is generally compared to charcuterie, unsweetened chocolate and dark-roasted coffee. Sometimes, it is referred to as “whiskey of tea” due to its deep and intense flavours. Enjoy Lapsang Souchong hot, with a touch of honey and lemon to soften the smoky profile. You can even make an amazing iced tea using this tea variety.
8) Keemun Black Tea
Keemun black tea, which is also named as Qimen Hongcha, is a special type of black tea that is grown in the Anhui Province of eastern China. This tea is special because of its extended process of drying and oxidation, which helps in bringing out the deep and complex flavours. Keemun tea is smooth and aromatic, with different layers of flavours like hints of flowers, pine, fruit, unsweetened chocolate and tobacco. Steep this black tea at 190 – 194°F (87.5 – 90°C) for about 3 to 5 minutes and it can be savoured plain or add a splash of milk and honey.
9) Hei Cha
Hei Cha, is another type of special Chinese black tea, and its name translates to “Black Tea”. However it’s quite different from the black teas in the western world because it is fermented and not just oxidized, that gives it a deep, earthy flavour profile which cannot be found in other black teas. Legend says Hei Cha was discovered by accident when tea caravans on the ancient silk road got wet during transport.
At first, people believed that the tea got spoiled and it should be discarded, but then, they realized this contains flavours and several health benefits. Hei cha consists of a wide range of aromas and flavours like marine (seaweed), piney, mushroomy, loamy or fungal. To make this tea, steep it at 200–210°F (93.5–99°C) for 2 to 4 minutes.
10) Earl Grey
Earl Grey is a classic black tea blend that gained huge popularity in England during the 1830s. The tea is named after the British Prime Minister, Charles Grey, who is said to have received a gift from a Chinese envoy of black tea infused with bergamot oil. Bergamot orange is a small citrus tree that mostly grows in Calabria, Italy.
The bergamot oil gives a soft, bright and citrusy flavour with floral hints, which perfectly balances the strong and bold taste of black tea. Today, various store-bought versions make use of artificial flavours rather than using real bergamot. But if you want to experience the authentic Earl Grey tea, you must choose high-quality, organic blends prepared with natural bergamot oil.
11) English Breakfast Tea
One of the long-standing British traditions includes drinking a strong blend of black teas for breakfast that actually began in the mid-19th century. It became extremely famous in the 1890s when Queen Victoria started keeping her own private stock of breakfast tea. The choice of black teas to be used for English breakfast tea may vary greatly, but preferred sections include Assam Black Tea, Ceylon Tea and Kenyan Black Teas.
Some premium varieties also include Keemun Black tea from China. While the exact tea mix can vary, the ultimate objective is the same, which is to obtain a rich, strong and full-bodied cup. To brew English breakfast tea just the right way, steep the tea at 206°F (96.5° C) for at least 5 minutes. Traditionally, the tea is served with milk and sugar, which makes it perfect to start the day.
For More Interesting Tea Recipes, Click Here!
Black Tea For Every Taste, Every Moment!
Black tea is fully packed with rich flavours and aromas that will make a special place in every tea lover’s heart! It doesn’t matter if you enjoy different flavours like bold, malty, light, or floral — there is a black tea for every taste and every moment. Different varieties of black tea offer their unique flavours which are worth exploring.
The best part about black tea is none other than its “versatility” as it can be savoured in many ways. You can have plain to enjoy the strong flavours or add a splash of milk to make a creamy and comforting cup of black tea. Moreover, black tea pairs well with many other ingredients like spices, herbs and fruits, which allows you to curate your own signature cup of tea. From a strong morning brew to a light & fragrant afternoon bliss, black tea is a perfect fit for any occasion.
You know what — exploring different types of black tea is almost equal to taking a flavourful journey across the globe, one sip at a time! Each cup of black tea reflects the hard work and artistry that goes in tea-making, turning an everyday drink into a delightful experience.
Can’t stop thinking about black tea? Just go ahead, brew yourself a cup of your favourite black tea and enjoy!
