Overview
Black Teais a varietal of theCamelliasinensisplant. What sets it apart is a traditional four-step transformation that includes withering, rolling,oxidation and firing. Put simply, black tea is a more oxidized version of white, green or oolong teas and tends tohave a stronger flavor than other tea types.
There are many varieties of black tea and they are typically named after the region in which they are produced. Thesetend to have flavor characteristics that are unique to the area they are grown, similar to wine-growing regions. Themost popular black teas include full-bodied and maltyAssam tea, floral andfruityDarjeeling tea, andSri LankanCeylon tea, which canall have a range of flavors, aromas, and strengths depending on the estate in which they were harvested.
Black tea is often blended with other teas, fruits, flowers, oils, or spices to produce a distinct taste and aroma.Popular black tea blends includeEnglishBreakfast Tea,Earl Grey Tea,Irish Breakfast Tea, andChai Tea.
History
China is known as the birthplace of black tea. Up until the 17th century, the only teas that were consumed were greenand oolong. It is believed that black tea was discovered when the Chinese started fermenting tea leaves in order toextend the storage life of tea. Fermentation produced an oxidized, darker version of the leaves, which became known as“black tea”.
Although originating in China, it was the British who popularizedblack teawhen it was brought to Europe inthe 18th century. It was first seen as an exotic drink that only the aristocracy could afford; but cultivation of thetea in Europe led to lower prices. Once it became more affordable, black tea became a commodity for the masses.
Today, many varieties of black tea are produced all over the world including China, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, andNepal.
Caffeine Content
Thecaffeine in black teaisless than half of that in a similar-sized cup of coffee. On average, a six-ounce cup of black tea has about 50milligrams of caffeine.
Health Benefits
Although many people drink tea as an alternative to coffee, there are numerous health benefits toblack tea. Black tea has antioxidants,specifically polyphenols and catechins, which have been known to support the mind and body. Drinking moderate amountsof black tea regularly is also known to boost metabolism and support healthy blood pressure.
How to Steep
Steeping black teais easy.Simply heat fresh, filtered water to a rolling boil, then pour water over tea and steep for 3-5 minutes. Black tea canalso be served with milk or milk alternative and sweetener of choice.
Recipes
Black tea can be used to make a variety of recipes including cookies, scones, cakes, smoothies, and even savoryrecipes. A favorite iced black tea recipe is ourCaramel Vanilla Iced Tea Latte.
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