Black Tea

What Is Black Tea?

Black tea is the most common tea in North America. The best black tea is produced when withered tea leaves are rolled and allowed to oxidize and dry, developing natural flavor, color, and body in the leaf. Boasting numerous health benefits, black tea contains about half the caffeine of coffee and twice that of green tea. You can buy loose leaf black tea leaves, organic or black tea bags and the drink is popular iced or hot as a breakfast tea, often enjoyed with sugar, milk, or lemon. Visit our blog to learn more: What Is Black Tea?

Black Tea Bags vs Loose Leaf Black Tea

Black tea is available in two forms: tea bags and full-leaf loose tea. Many tea drinkers are first introduced to black tea via tea bags, which are convenient and easy to steep. Tea bags contain smaller fragments of black tea leaves, packaged within our signature round unbleached tea bags. Full leaf black tea leaves are larger and are spooned into a tea infuser ball or basket to steep. Both options deliver the rich taste and health benefits of black tea.

What Does Black Tea Taste Like?

Black tea has a delicious taste that has been celebrated around the globe for centuries. In general, the taste of black tea is rich, bold, dark, and slightly astringent. The specific tasting notes of black tea can vary, and could be described as malty, nutty, smoky, earthy, or fruity.

Types of Black Teas

Although many tea drinkers simply refer to drinking "black tea," there are actually many different types of black tea. Each variety has its own aroma, flavor, and health benefits.

Classic Black Tea

There are a number of black tea varietals that could be described as "classic" black tea. These are usually made from the most popular types of black tea, which include Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling, and Kenyan black teas.

Classic black teas include:

• British Breakfast Black Tea
• Organic Assam Breakfast Black Tea
• All Day Breakfast Full-Leaf Tea
• Republic Darjeeling Black Full Leaf Tea
• Lucky Irish Breakfast Tea
• Earl Greyer Black Tea

Flavored Black Tea

Other popular black tea blends include:

• Bold Black Chai
• Ginger Peach Black Tea
• Vanilla Almond Black Tea
• Blackberry Sage Black Tea
• Blood Orange Cinnamon Black Tea
• Ginger Peach Chocolate Truffle Black Tea
• PassionFruit Papaya Black Tea

Black Tea vs Green Tea

Curious about how black teas differ from green teas? Many tea drinkers are surprised to learn that these two beverages are derived from the same exact plant, Camellia sinensis. What sets black tea apart from other teas is the traditional process of withering, rolling, oxidizing, and firing the Camellia sinensis tea leaves after harvesting. This process causes the tea leaves to darken in color, and allows their flavors to develop and become stronger and bolder. All teas derived from the Camellia sinensis plant are rich in antioxidants and offer similar health benefits.

Black Tea Health Benefits

Black tea contains a type of antioxidant known as polyphenols, which may benefit the body in a myriad of ways. Learn more: The Health Benefits of Black Tea.

Caffeine Content in Black Tea

A standard cup of black tea contains roughly half the amount of caffeine as a similarly-sized cup of coffee. Black tea contains more caffeine than other varieties of tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant (such as green, white, and oolong teas). Learn more: Tea and Caffeine

Preparing Black Tea Leaves

Steeping black tea is easy, though the process does vary depending on whether you are steeping black tea bags or full-leaf loose leaves. We always recommend reviewing the steeping instructions on each tin to ensure the best possible results, as steeping methods, water temperature, and steeping time can affect the final flavor and caffeine content. Learn more about how to prepare black tea leaves for brewing: Tea 101: How to Steep Tea.

Storing Black Tea

The Republic of Tea's packaging is designed to effectively store black teas so they do not go stale, preserving their natural aromas and flavors for as long as possible. Learn more: Tips for Storing Tea.

FAQ

Is black tea regular tea?

Black tea is the most common form of tea in the United States and is often referred to as regular tea. Black tea is one of the most widely-consumed beverages in the world, and is sipped throughout the day in many parts of the globe. Traditionally, black tea is served during afternoon tea in countries like England, Scotland, and Ireland, often with biscuits, scones, or other baked goods. In India, black tea is commonly blended with milk and spices to make “masala chai,” or spiced chai. The countries that drink the most black tea per capita each year are Turkey, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Iran, and Russia.

Where black tea is from?

China is considered to be the "birthplace" of black tea, although today, black tea production has expanded to a number of other countries around the world. China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Taiwan, and Kenya are among the largest producers of black tea.

What type of tea is black tea?

Black tea is one of several types of tea made from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. It therefore shares certain similarities with green tea, oolong tea, and white tea, however there are differences in terms of taste, aroma, and caffeine due to how the leaves are processed.

Is drinking black tea good for you?

Not only does black tea taste wonderful, it is also very good for you! Compared to coffee, black tea offers a gentle energizing boost without the unwanted side effects. It is also hydrating, rich in antioxidants, and naturally calorie-free.

How black tea is made?

The oxidation process is key to giving black tea its distinctive bold, dark, malty flavor. After harvesting, the tea leaves are withered, rolled, dried, and pan-fired. This is the process that transforms the freshly plucked Camellia sinensis leaves into the black tea leaves that millions of tea drinkers know and love.