Tea has become an integral part of our everyday life. Drinking tea is a great way to uplift and refresh your mood. There is a wide variety of tea, but when people talk about tea, they are usually referring to black tea. While the usage of black tea leaves over the last few years has declined, black tea is still the most widely consumed tea worldwide.
If you are also a tea lover and want to know more about black tea, you’re at the right place. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about black tea. So, let’s get started.
What Is Black Tea?
Whether black, oolong, green, or white tea, all teas come from the same plant – Camellia Sinensis. However, the way the tea leaves are harvested and processed decides which type it becomes.
After harvesting, the tea leaves are exposed to moist, oxygen-rich air. This process is known as oxidation. It turns the green leaves to a dark brownish-black colour. Since the manufacturers can control the oxidation process, the fully oxidized tea is black tea, and the non-oxidized tea is green tea.
Some people like to drink plain black tea just by steeping tea leaves in the water, whereas others add a dairy whitener or milk to their tea. It has a powerful group of polyphenols, including epigallocatechin gallate, theaflavins, thearubigins, an amino acid L-theanine, and several other catechins or flavonoids, which aid in protecting our body from several chronic diseases.
Some manufacturers mix black tea leaves with other plant leaves like earl grey to give the tea a unique flavour and aroma. As a result, there is a wide range of black tea. So, let’s check out the different types of black tea.
Did you know that there are tea ceremonies around the world? The best tea tourism destinations include the following nations:
- China
- India
- England
- Thailand
- Russia
Types Of Black Tea
Organic Assam Tea: As the name suggests, this tea grows in Assam. It has high caffeine content. Full-bodied, bright, savoury aroma, malty flavour with a dark brownish colour are the few characteristics of Assam tea. This tea is popularly known as English Tea. You can drink this beverage with or without milk.
Organic Earl Grey Tea: This tea is a perfect blend of black tea leaves and the oil from the rind of bergamot orange. Bergamot is a citrus fruit with an appearance and flavour somewhere between an orange and lime. A citrusy taste with a distinct floral aroma is what makes this tea unique.
Orange Pekoe Tea: Orange Pekoe is actually not a type of tea & it is not associated with oranges in any way. It is a black tea made from Camellia Sinensis just like other black teas. The meaning of Pekoe is whole. In this tea, whole tea leaves are used. Broken or torn leaves are discarded during production, making this tea different from the other tea. So, it is simply the highest grade of black tea that originated from Western and South Asia.
How Much Caffeine Is In Black Tea?
Caffeine occurs in all teas naturally. However, it is difficult to gauge how much caffeine is in a cup of tea. The reason behind it is that caffeine amount depends on the tea plant variety, its growing conditions, and how it is processed.
In general, black tea contains less caffeine than coffee. An 8-ounce cup of tea contains around 25 mg of caffeine. However, the amount of caffeine you consume depends on how strong your black tea is. You can also use tea bag packaging to reduce your caffeine content. Tea Bags have less caffeine than loose leaves.
The Bottom Line
Black tea is the most commonly available type of tea. You can find it in any restaurant. Whether you want to enjoy it with or without milk, hot or cold, it is a great beverage to add to your diet. However, like overconsumption of anything is harmful, overconsumption of black tea leaves can also lead to insomnia. Your daily consumption of caffeine should not exceed 400 mg. So, drink your black tea in an appropriate manner to get the health benefits.