Black tea variety is a genuine beverage monolith, being one of the most drank drinks on the globe after freshwater. Black tea’s antecedents are not as ancient as those of its cousin, green tea, but it still has a tale to tell, one that it continues to tell daily to the billions of people who wake up to a cup of black tea in the morning or a midday tea time that includes nothing but black tea.
Continue reading to find out more about the black tea variety!
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What is black tea
Let us return to the basics of the black tea variety by delving further into its history and definition. Tea’s origins range from 2000 to 5000 years ago in China and some hilly parts of Southeast Asia. Tea, or Camellia Sinensis, was traditionally brewed in enormous cauldrons and consumed as a culinary mainstay.
This practice evolved into drinking boiling leaves for medical purposes over time. The leaves were then treated in multiple ways and consumed for societal, religious, culinary, and therapeutic reasons as tea culture evolved.
Green, white, Oolong, yellow, black, and fermenting teas such as Pu-erh are all made from Camellia Sinensis. Though the leaf’s flavor, appearance, and scent are pretty different, they all come from either the same species or one of its variations.
Leaving the leaves to shrivel to suck out dampness is one of the procedures used to manufacture black tea. Following that, black tea leaves are prepared in one of two methods. The Orthodox approach involves rolling and twisting the leaves by machine or hand. The Crushing, Tear, Coil, or CTC method is another option.
The wilted leaves are ripped and pulverized with a machine in this way. This technique is commonly used to fill tea bags. After treatment, the leaves are allowed to oxidize, which is a similar process to fermentation in which the leaves acquire oxygen. To stop the oxidation process, the leaves are either heated or left to dry further.
The leaves are then inspected and ready for delivery.
Black Tea Variety
Ceylon
| Tea Type | Ceylon |
| Origin | Srilanka |
| Notes on Taste | Refreshing, Aromatic, Flavorful, Citrusy |
| Intensity | Strong, Medium-bodied |
| Level of Caffeine | High |
Ceylon tea comes from Sri Lanka and is a moderate to strong black tea variety with a mild and refreshing flavor. If you’re curious about the tea’s name, it’s derived from Sri Lanka’s former name, Ceylon.
This Sri Lankan tea has mild spicy and lemony flavor notes that are pleasant to sip. Ceylon black tea is commonly used in chilled tea drinks because of its zesty, delicious flavor.
However, the tea tastes just as wonderful when served hot and can be drunk alone or with milk.
Assam
| Tea Type | Assam |
| Origin | Northeast India, Assam |
| Notes on Taste | Rich, Malty, Slightly bitter |
| Intensity | Bold and Strong |
| Level of Caffeine | High |
Assam is a cultural black tea variety from the Assam area of Northeast India, and it is among the strongest-tasting black teas.
Many people love combining this tea with a touch of milk to moderate the flavor because it has a robust, slightly astringent, and full-bodied flavor.
Even if you haven’t had pure Assam tea, you’ve most likely had it in English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast tea mixes.
The foundation for these two kinds of teas is Assam tea leaves, which are responsible for the strong color and profound flavor of these mixes.
Dianhong cha (Yunnan tea)
| Tea Type | Dianhong cha (Yunnan tea) |
| Origin | Southern China, Yunnan |
| Notes on Taste | Smooth, Aromatic, Soft, Sweet |
| Intensity | Medium |
| Level of Caffeine | Medium-High |
Dianhong cha translates literally to “Yunnan red tea,” and in the West, this type of black tea is simply known as “Yunnan.”
Yunnan tea is aromatic and rich, with a smooth and somewhat sweet taste.
This tea’s color is likewise unique, having a more gold amber hue than a conventional “black” tea.
Because Yunnan has a delicate flavor and is considered a premium tea, it is normally served alone.
However, it also goes well with milk.
English Breakfast Tea
| Tea Type | English Breakfast Tea |
| Origin | Colonial America |
| Notes on Taste | Robust, Aromatic, Malty |
| Intensity | Strong |
| Level of Caffeine | High |
English breakfast tea seems to have originated in what is now the US
This black tea variety mix appears to have gained popularity among English settlers in America during the colonial era.
English breakfast tea can include a wide range of tea leaves, although the most common are Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan.
Because of its intensity, this tea tastes best with milk, which lightens the flavor slightly.
English breakfast tea is one of the strongest black tea variety alternatives, and as the name implies, it is ideal for an early morning drink.
Earl Grey
| Tea Type | Earl Grey |
| Origin | England/China |
| Notes on Taste | Smooth, Citrusy, Fruity |
| Intensity | Light to medium-bodied |
| Level of Caffeine | Medium |
Although many people consider this black tea variety to be an English tea, there is some disagreement over its true origin.
Earl Grey is most likely named after Charles Grey, the British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834, often known as ‘the second Earl Grey.’
Earl Grey, like Darjeeling, is a light, flowery, and fruity black tea with a complex flavor.
On the other hand, it is a tea mix rather than a diversity of tea leaves.
Producers combine dried black tea leaves with oil taken from the rind of bergamot orange to create the tea. Bergamot, sometimes known as sour orange,’ is a citrus fruit.
This black tea combination is delicious on its own or with milk.
Masala Chai
| Tea Type | Masala Chai |
| Origin | India |
| Notes on Taste | Spicy, Aromatic, Fruity, Flowery |
| Intensity | Medium |
| Level of Caffeine | High |
Masala chai is an intriguing black tea variety from India that comes in a variety of flavors.
To begin, the tea is a blend of Assam black tea variety and different herbs and spices, which means the drink is caffeine-rich.
In general, the tea is flavored with cardamom and ginger, however, either of these components may be used.
Ingredients
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Fennel
- Nutmeg
- Star anise
- Pepper
Masala Chai is frequently made with milk and is usually brewed in milk instead of in lukewarm water.
Having said that, some people like to consume it without milk and make it in the same manner as the traditional black tea varieties.
If you purchase a masala chai latte at a conventional coffee shop, you should expect it to be high in sugar.
Best Black Tea Variety
Earl Grey and English morning tea are two of my favorite black tea kinds.
The “best” tea, on the other hand, is opinionated, and everybody will have their personal view.
Furthermore, the black tea variety described below is just a few among many. While these are my personal favorites, everyone’s choices vary.
All black tea variety is delicious and beneficial to our health, so experiment to find your favorite.
Lastly, how we prepare our tea has a huge impact on the flavor; for guidance on brewing the perfect cup, click here.
Final Thoughts
The black tea variety is an absolute caffeine miracle. As one of the world’s most popular drinks, black tea has a great deal to offer in terms of flavors, hints, notes, scent, and overall tea pleasure. Single-origin black teas, such as Keemun or Golden Monkey, are extraordinary.
Black tea variety is also excellent in mixtures and milk teas, as evidenced by Earl Grey and Masala Chai. Of course, the most effective way to learn about tea is to try a variety of different leaves. So go ahead and start brewing. You might find your new favorite afternoon or morning pick-me-up.