Black Tea

Black Tea

It is interesting that Black tea is by far the most widely available in North America, and yet when I did my research for these tea articles, I could not find a single blog or website dedicated solely to black tea. Black tea methods and varieties differ according to region, yet the four basic steps in preparing black tea are: withering, rolling, oxidizing and firing. It is the firing and full oxidation of the leaves that distinguishes Black Tea from the less processed white, green and oolong tea. Black teas are produced in almost all countries that grow tea, exception for Japan. The major players in black tea production are China, India, Sri Lanka, Africa and Indonesia. The major varieties by region are: Keemun, Dian Hong, Ying De Hong, Jiu Qu Hong Mei, Tibeti, Assam, Darjeeling, Munnar, Kangra, Nilgiri, Ceylon with variations for sub regions. Black tea is made from leaves of Camellia sinensis. Black tea is typically stronger in flavor and also contains more caffeine than the other tea varieties because it is more oxidized. The two principal commercial varieties of the species that are used, is the small-leaved Chinese variety plant (C. sinensis subsp. sinensis), also used for green and white teas, and the large-leaved Assamese plant (C. sinensis subsp. assamica), which was traditionally only used for black tea. The biggest advantage of black tea is that it has a much longer shelf life, which is a major factor in its lower cost. Black tea accounts for about 90% of western tea consumption but that has been changing in recent years.

My Favourite Black Teas:
1. Double Bergamot Earl Grey - Stash Tea - 10
2. Monk's Blend Tea - Tara's Health Food - 10
3. Irish Breakfast - Twinings - 10
4. Monk's Blend Tea- Teaopia - 10
5. Irish Breakfast - Teaopia - 9
6. Blackberry Sage - Republic of Tea - 9
7. Holiday Blend - Teaopia - 7
8. Christmas Morning - Stash Tea - 7
9. Holiday Chai Black Tea - Stash Tea - 7
10. Russian Caravan - Jackson of Piccadilly - 6

Articles in this Series:
0. Tea Tea Everywhere - Teaopia Mad Hatter Tea Party
1. Tea an Overview
2. Red Teas
3. Green Teas
4. White Teas
5. Black Teas
6. Matcha Tea
7. Yerba Mate
8. Fruit Blends
9. Wellness Blends
10. Herbal Teas
11. Purveyors of Fine Tea (my preferences.)
12. Custom Blending
13. My Favourite Teas
Top Ten Teas of 2010

Links:
Black Tea - Wikipedia
Black Tea vs Green Tea
Medline Plus
Teaopia
Republic of Tea
Twinings Canada
Twinings UK
Jackson of Piccadilly
Distinctly Tea
Stash Tea
Tazo