Did you know that black tea is one of the beverages that has the highest consumption rate in the entire world? With the exception of water, of course. The Camellia sinensis plant is the source of the classic cup of black tea. However, other plants, such as those used to make Earl Grey or chai, are sometimes mixed in with the Camellia sinensis to create new flavors.
Because of this, it features a combination of black tea that is full-bodied and powerful, and it is the ideal beverage to help you shake off any negative energy, draw back the drapes, and get your day off to the most amazing possible start. In addition to this, its flavor is undeniably more robust, and it contains a higher concentration of caffeine compared to other types of tea but a lower concentration than coffee.
In addition to being a delectable treat, it is also high in antioxidants, which have potential health benefits. These benefits may include enhanced health for the gut and heart, as well as decreased levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
To restate, just like green tea, black tea provides a variety of health benefits due to the presence of antioxidants and chemicals that have the potential to assist in the reduction of inflammation throughout the body. In point of fact, the consumption of black tea is so beneficial to one’s health that it is occasionally offered for sale as a dietary supplement. The majority of the time, the supplement will consist of various additional sorts of vitamins, minerals, or plants.
Before it is allowed to cool, the suggestion of the specialist is that it should always be steeped in hot water first. This causes a process known as oxidation, which darkens the color of the leaves from green to a shade that is somewhere between brown and black.
As a consequence of this, it indicates that the leaves are exposed to air that is rich in oxygen and moisture. The level of oxidation in tea can vary significantly from one maker to the next. Green tea originates from the same plant as black tea, but it is not oxidized like black tea is. On the other hand, black tea undergoes the whole oxidation process.
You still aren’t sure whether or not you should start drinking black tea, are you? Then you should continue reading. In this piece, we will discuss black tea, its history, and the several varieties available.
The Definitive Guide to Black Tea
The Camellia sinensis plant is oxidized in order to produce black tea, which is then extracted from the leaves of the plant. The color of the tea itself, which is often described as “black,” is where we get the term “black tea.” However, if you take a closer look, you’ll notice that the hue is more drab, amber, or orange. In addition, this is the reason why tea drinkers in China referred to it as crimson tea. The method that is utilized in the production of black tea distinguishes it from other types of tea, such as green tea and oolong tea, and gives it its own distinct identity.
Bill Bradley, a qualified dietitian, stated that in point of fact “Dark tea, on the other hand, has flavors that are more anchored due to a more involved oxidation process than regular tea does. This is the primary distinction between the two. In addition to that, caffeine can be found in dark tea. Because it contains caffeine, it does not help you relax any faster “he had remarked.
After being plucked, the tea leaves are allowed to wither so that any remaining moisture can be extracted from them. When the leaves have lost the most amount of moisture possible, either manually or with the assistance of machines, they are rolled while being subjected to high temperatures. This can be done manually or with the assistance of machines.
After the leaves have been thoroughly oxidized, they are sorted into piles according to their respective sizes. Concerns should be raised about the amount of caffeine included in any type of tea. When all factors are considered, a single serving of tea has around a third of the amount of caffeine that can be found in a single serving of espresso.
Where Does Black Tea Come From?
In a nutshell, the production of black tea in China began about 1590, which corresponds to the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. Before this, the only types of tea consumed by the Chinese were green and oolong. There are rumors that military personnel stopped to take cover in a tea manufacturing plant in Fujian when they were moving across the province.
The plant had previously halted production of green and oolong tea. In the meanwhile, the tea leaves were exposed to the sun, where they dried out and became oxidized. After the military personnel had left, the production line continued to make tea, but the color of the tea changed to a dark crimson or reddish color, and the flavor was extremely revitalizing and aromatic.
As a direct consequence of this, the very first kind of black tea, known as Lapsang Souchong, was produced. The name derives from two Chinese words: “Lapsang” refers to the high mountains, while “Souchong” refers to the little leaves of the tea tree. Because of this, the phrase “black tea” originated as a result of the interactions between English and Dutch brokers.
The Dutch brought black tea to Europe in the year 1610, and afterwards, in the year 1658, it made its way into the premises of Britain. The English decided to cultivate black tea in three important sites, including Darjeeling and Assam, India, as it began to gain popularity and become more popular overall.
The Varieties of Black Tea and Their Characteristics
China and India both produce their own unique varieties of black tea. At this point, we are going to take a look at the many different kinds of black tea.
Black tea can be crafted from virtually any variety of tea, including green tea, yellow tea, white tea, or oolong tea. The manner in which black tea is prepared is the primary difference. Camellia sinensis is the plant that is used to make the majority of black tea in China.
On the other hand, Camellia assamica is a different species of tea plant that is used in India to make black tea. In addition to this, black tea made from Camellia assamica has a flavor that is more earthy, and the leaves are larger than those produced by the Camellia sinensis variety. In order to give you an idea of what to expect, here is a summary of the several types of black tea that you should be familiar with: A List of Black Teas, Classified According to Their Production Area
- Lapsang Souchong
- Fujian Minhong
- Anhui Keemun
- Yunnan Dianhong
- Darjeeling Black Tea
- Black tea from Assam.
- Black tea from Ceylon
- Nilgiri Black Tea
- Kenyan Black Tea
The List of Black Teas, Ranked According to Their Popular Blends
- Black Tea with Earl Grey
- Traditional English Breakfast
- Breakfast in Ireland
- Chai Tea
- Tea in the Afternoon
- Tea with Rose Petals
- Russian Caravan
