Black Tea

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Grey's Teas Store | Black Tea

Black China Tea

Grey's China Teas - China is responsible for many of the world's finest teas, such as Keemun, many made by hand. Tea is grown in eighteen Chinese provinces, the most important being in the south east of the country. Yunnan is a temperate province acknowledged for its distinctive tea. Fujian Province is famous for its Lapsang Souchong. Other provinces renown for their black teas are Anhui, Hunan and Sichuan.

Indian Tea

Grey's India Teas - India produces almost entirely black teas but of immense variety. Light Darjeelings contrast with strong malty Assams and the elegant full bodied Nilgiris from the Blue Mountains of the south.

Nepalese Tea

Nepal produces wonderful black teas with a Darjeeling character. Smooth and subtle, the teas are often fresher tasting however as the plants are younger. Less known than Darjeelings they are often better value too.

Ceylon Tea

Tea from Sri Lanka typically has a small, neat leaf producing clear, golden, fragrant infusions. Many of our teas have a large, beautifully wiry leaf. We have examples of the three main high grown varieties which are famous for the quality of their teas: mellow Uvas, full-bodied Dimbulas and delicate Nuwara Eliyas.

A little about: Black Tea

Grey’s Teas has a broad selection of quality, large leaf, orthodox black tea. Choose from a wide variety of black teas from India, China, Ceylon and Nepal. Black Teas from India comprise Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri.

Black tea is a fermented tea. More accurately, the tea is oxidised during the manufacturing process. Once torn and rolled the green leaves turn black as a natural consequence of being exposed to the air.

What is the origin of black tea?

Black tea was first produced in China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) for trading with the West as it is less perishable than green tea, i.e. it has a longer shelf-life. It was not made for domestic consumption and indeed today black tea is still not drunk in China. Since the days of Empire black teas have been produced in many countries of the world.

Where is black tea produced?

Black tea is produced in India's Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri regions. It is also grown in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and, for export, China. East Africa, in particular, Kenya today produces most of our tea for the mass market.

Where was black tea first consumed?

Black tea was initially imported by the Dutch and it was briefly fashionable in Holland and France before being imported into England where it developed from fashion to popular appeal. By the eighteenth century tea had replaced beer in England as the nation's most popular drink.

Where is black tea drunk?

Black tea is the staple drink for Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The United Kingdom and Ireland are especially large consumers and make up the world's largest export market for tea from the tea producing countries.

How is black tea drunk?

Black tea is drunk either with or without milk. This depends upon whether it is a light or a full bodied tea. China and Darjeeling teas are light and are therefore best without. Lapsang Souchong, more full bodied Keemuns and Yunnan are exceptions. Assam and Ceylon teas, with the exception of Uvas and Nuwara Eliya are generally more full bodied and therefore should be drunk with milk.

Is black tea good for you?

Black tea contains four to five times as much caffeine as green teas on average. But remember, this is still only one third of that contained in freshly brewed coffee. Like green tea, black tea is rich in antioxidants, thereby benefiting our cardio-vascular system and helping us reduce the risks of cancer.

Grey's Teas Store | Black Tea