Everything You Need to Know About Sensational Black Tea

The bold and rich flavor of the best black tea can transform your mundane day into an extraordinary indulgence. Flavors like spicy chai and a malty Assam offer you plenty of variety for every mood and craving. If you’re absolutely in love with black tea, you’re in for a robust treat!

Today, you’ll discover why black tea is so popular in the Western world, what separates quality black tea from low-quality black tea, and how it’s made from start to finish. You’ll also learn about the amazing health benefits of black tea and how to make it taste phenomenal every time you steep it. Finally, we’ll share some of the best black teas you can add to your tea routine right now. 

Why Black Tea Is So Popular in the Western World

Tea was a staple in China for thousands of years before it made its way to the Western world. Today, the best green tea is highly popular in the East, while black tea remains popular in the West — in fact, about 75% of tea consumed in Britain and America is black.

Green tea was the first tea variety to arrive in Britain. But the bold flavors of black tea soon took over. Historians speculate Britain’s Caribbean colonies produced the sugar that Brits enjoyed adding to strong black teas. 

Importers and exporters discovered that black tea had a longer shelf life than green tea because of the additional oxidation and aging process it goes through. The best black tea could withstand long journeys and not lose much flavor, unlike delicate green tea. These leaves were used as currency and pressed into solid blocks. 

Britain colonized India and started harvesting black tea in the 1800s. This opened up the doors to the complex tea market that we know and still use today. Darjeeling and Assam teas continue to be some of the highest-quality and most sought-after teas in the world — but not all these teas are equal in flavor or quality. 

Choosing Quality Black Tea Makes A Big Difference

When it comes to choosing the best black tea, quality matters so much more than you might think. Not all teas look or taste the same — and they certainly are not grown or harvested in the same way. 

Most lower-quality teas you’ll see at the market are packaged in tea bags filled with “tea dust”. These mass-produced teas are not made with the same care and dedication as whole leaf varieties. Their flavor is harsh and bitter, and they may lack essential nutrients found in the best black tea made from whole leaves.

Look for tea brands that grow and blend their teas using ethical harvesting practices. If you can’t make the switch to loose-leaf tea or don’t want to forego the convenience of tea bags, consider using these tea sachets instead. 

Tea sachets are made with high-quality whole leaf teas and are completely compostable — meaning they’re so much better than biodegradable tea bags. Most conventional tea bags don’t easily break down in the earth, and they may impact your health by releasing unwanted toxins into your tea.

Stick with whole, loose-leaf black tea when you can. The highest-quality teas are hand-plucked and blended in small batches. This meticulous process ensures higher quality control and a more flavorful tea that might be more nutrient-dense.

How the Best Black Tea Is Made

Quality teas are plucked by hand, made in small batches, and handled with great care using ancient harvesting methods passed down through generations. There are thousands of different tea flavors — ranging from grassy green to bold black and delicate white tea to complex oolong tea. Did you know that all tea comes from the same plant? 

When you compare tea to coffee and wine — which are made from different kinds of grapes and coffee beans — tea is quite simple. All tea varieties — including black, green, oolong, and white — are made from one single tea plant called Camellia sinensis. Once the leaves are plucked from the stalks, they can be transformed into your favorite black teas using this step-by-step process.

1. Wither the Tea Leaves

Two small tea leaves and a bud are plucked from the top of each long plant stalk and placed in troughs with metal grates, where they are left to wilt and wither. The metal grates allow air to flow underneath and through the leaves. Humidity levels and air circulation are carefully monitored so the leaves can start to transform into a delicious and flavorful tea. 

2. Roll the Tea Leaves

What sets the best black tea apart from other varieties is the oxidation process it goes through. The leaves are rolled and massaged to create a deep flavor and color. The cell walls of the leaves break down, releasing essential oils and enzymes, causing a chemical reaction to take place. 

3. Oxidize the Tea Leaves

After the tea leaves are rolled and the oils released, the leaves are left to oxidize. The timing for this process depends on the temperature and humidity of the room they’re in. But, during this phase, the leaves slowly transform from light green to a rich amber brown.

4. Dry the Tea Leaves

Once the oxidation process is complete, the leaves must be dried. During the final drying step, the tea leaves come into contact with heat, which stops the oxidation process. When this happens, the characteristics and flavor of the best black tea at that precise moment lock into place. 

What Are the Health Benefits of Black Tea?

The health benefits of black tea are abundant and may address heart health, gut microbiota maintenance, and may even inhibit the risk of certain kinds of cancer. While green tea might get the bulk of the attention when it comes to health and wellness, black tea is equally beneficial in its unique way. 

If you’re drinking tea for your health, enjoy it plain — without milk, sugar, or other additions. Here are some of the most amazing benefits of the best black tea. 

1. Reduces the Risk of Disease

Black tea’s polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that can help protect your cells from free radicals. Antioxidants may help reduce your risk of developing various diseases and sicknesses. 

2. Boosts Heart Health

Bad cholesterol can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Some studies show that drinking black tea may greatly reduce the risk of harmful cholesterol by regulating plaque buildup.

3. Promotes Healthy Gut Bacteria

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiota leads to better health and wellness. Your gut microbiome might benefit from the best black tea because of its polyphenols. These compounds may kill the growth of harmful bacteria in your gut.

4. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Theaflavins found in unsweetened black tea can help reduce your blood sugar levels or even lower insulin levels. Some studies even show improvements in blood glucose and insulin levels for diabetic patients.

5. Inhibits the Risk of Cancer

Some studies show promising results in the ability of black tea to inhibit certain kinds of cancer stimulation. This may help with cancer treatment in the future as we study and learn more.

How to Make Black Tea

The best black tea is simple to make, but attention to detail and great care should still be practiced. After all, it’s still possible to over-steep your tea and release bitter tannins. Here are some of the best tips for making black tea.

Always start with good water. Use fresh, filtered water that hasn’t been boiled and cooled down already — read why it’s important to use the right kind of water for your tea. 

Always read the package for specific steeping instructions. Black tea is usually steeped in freshly boiled water. Your water should come to a rapid boil — anything cooler, and your tea might not release all the nutrients and flavors.

You’ll use about one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea for every eight ounces of water, but this measurement is an estimation. Some of the best black tea leaves are much smaller, and you may require less than one teaspoon. Other leaves might be much larger, and you may have to use more tea leaves to suit your taste.

Steep your tea leaves no longer than five minutes. Over-steeping might release unsavory bitter flavors. If you enjoy stronger tea, add more tea leaves instead of steeping it longer, so you avoid that bitter tannin flavor.

Black teas make excellent iced teas or ice teas, too — yes, there is a difference! You can learn about all the different ways to make hot and chilled black teas and even fool-proof cold brew black teas here.

5 High-Quality Black Teas You’ll Love

Are you excited to try some of the best black teas? Here are popular flavors and blends you can add to your collection today. Enjoy them plain or with milk and sugar, or a touch of honey.

1. Earl Grey Private Garden

Earl Grey Private Garden - $16.95

This premium quality Assam tea is flavorful and fragrant with the essence of cold-pressed bergamot oil. The eye-catching color of vibrant marigold petals makes this tea as visually stunning as the flavor is vibrant.

2. Estate Darjeeling Reserve

Estate Darjeeling Reserve - $16.95

Darjeeling tea is called the “Champagne of Teas,” making it one of the best black teas in the world. The aroma is similar to muscat wine and has a deeply complex flavor profile. This tea comes from one of the most well-protected and renowned tea regions in the world, for which it is named — Darjeeling, India.

3. English Breakfast Heritage

English Breakfast Heritage - $16.95

This famous tea comes from India’s Assam Region and features a bold, strong flavor with a distinct malty finish. This is an award-winning blend that highlights the perfection of English Breakfast tea. It’s a great energy boost and a fantastic way to start your morning.

4. Select Masala Chai

Select Masala Chai - $16.95

Add milk and sugar or honey to this tea for an authentic, creamy, and sweet experience. This chai is one of the best black teas. It’s sourced from India’s Nilgiri region and is perfect if you love bold spices and flavors.

5. Golden Monkey

Golden Monkey - $21.95

This exceptional tea is highly prized because it’s harvested in early spring for a more tender and vibrant flavor. It’s one of the best black teas and is named for its distinctive claw-like shape, reminiscent of a monkey. The taste is smooth, malty, and deep, offering complex flavors you’ll enjoy for multiple steeps.

Shop the Healthiest and Cleanest Black Teas

Teabloom is on a mission to clean up the tea industry and take care of you and your loved ones. Their loose-leaf black teas are USDA Certified Organic, Kosher Certified, and made with the finest natural ingredients. 

Their teabags are better than biodegradable — they are 100% compostable. These superior pyramid tea sachets are roomy enough for the finest large whole-leaf teas — never tea dust that’s present in most conventional tea bags. Now, you can drink the best black tea with all the convenience of an environmentally friendly tea sachet.

Teabloom also has the largest selection of borosilicate glass teaware. Their styles range from modern to classic and fit seamlessly into your existing decor. 

Did you know that most porcelain and metallic teaware releases toxins in your tea? Teabloom is on a mission to offer you a strong and long-lasting alternative that is good for the environment and your health. To top it off, borosilicate glass teaware makes your tea taste incredible — better than you’ve ever tasted before. 

Experience elevated, affordable teaware and the best black teas at Teabloom today.

www.Teabloom.com

*The information provided in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention. If you or someone you know has a medical concern, you should consult with your professional healthcare provider or seek other professional medical treatment.