Black tea is a type of tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are withered, rolled, oxidized (exposed to air), and dried, giving it a dark color and strong flavor. You can enjoy black tea hot or cold, with or without milk and sugar.
Black tea products come in two main forms:
- Loose-leaf tea: Whole tea leaves that haven't been broken or crushed. Considered the highest quality, producing the most flavorful cup.
- Tea bags: Small fabric pouches containing loose-leaf tea. Convenient but not as flavorful as loose-leaf.
There are many black tea varieties, each with a unique taste:
- Assam tea: Full-bodied, malty black tea from the Assam region of India.
- Darjeeling tea: Light, aromatic black tea from the Darjeeling region of India, known for its delicate flavor and muscatel aroma.
- Ceylon tea: Brisk, strong black tea from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon).
- Earl Grey: Black tea flavored with bergamot oil (from bergamot orange rind), offering a citrusy flavor and aroma.
- English Breakfast: Blend of black teas from various regions, full-bodied and robust, perfect for mornings.
- Irish Breakfast: Similar to English Breakfast but stronger and maltier.
- Lapsang Souchong: Black tea from China smoked over pinewood fires, giving it a smoky flavor and aroma.
- Keemun tea: Black tea from China known for its delicate, orchid-like aroma.
- Yunnan tea: Black tea from China known for its full-bodied flavor and malty aroma.
Black tea can be brewed using various methods. The most common is steeping the leaves in hot water for a few minutes. Steeping time affects flavor: shorter steeping for a lighter tea, longer for a stronger one.
Enjoy black tea hot or cold, or even as iced tea! To make iced tea, brew black tea as usual, then let it cool completely. Serve over ice, with or without milk and sugar.
Here's what you'll need for brewing black tea:
- Teapot: A vessel used for brewing and serving tea, typically made of ceramic or glass.
- Tea cup: A cup used for drinking tea, typically made of ceramic or glass.
- Black tea leaves or tea bags
- Hot water
Black tea is a versatile beverage enjoyed hot or cold. It's a good source of antioxidants and can improve alertness and focus.
