Choosing Black Tea: Black Teas Around the World

We drink nearly as much tea as we do water, whether it's black, green, or Chinese. And there are lots of options—with over a thousand distinct types from over thirty nations, there's something for everyone's taste. You might spend a lifetime discovering the flavors, colors, and aromas of the world's teas.

Though green and black teas are made from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, the distinction resides in how the leaves are processed after they are plucked. Green tea has an easier drying procedure than black tea leaves, which are both oxidized and dried. This results in a stronger flavor with a greater caffeine content, as well as the ability to preserve the tea for years without losing flavor. The most common method to consume it in the West is 'black tea', which is what your average cup is comprised of.

Tea is often named for the province or region where it is cultivated. The taste is influenced by the soil, climate, and environment; therefore, teas from various areas have diverse qualities. China, known as the cradle of tea, has been growing and consuming it for around five thousand years. China continues to produce the majority of the world's tea; however, types from South America, Turkey, and Nepal, as well as India and Africa, are also available. Here are some of the well-known black teas:

China

Lapsang Souchong is undoubtedly the best-known Chinese tea. The fragrant, smokey flavor comes from the pine wood fires used to dry the leaves. Yunnan is another well-known tea from southwest China. It has a deep, malty taste that pairs nicely with milk. Keemun tea has a deep brown color and a delicate nutty taste, and it is prepared with great expertise and discipline, with the leaves dried without breaking to maintain the flavor.

India

The most well-known Indian tea is Assam, which is full-bodied and robust with a distinct malty flavor. This is often drunk in the morning as a wake-up beverage! Darjeeling tea, grown in the Himalayan foothills, is sometimes referred to as the 'champagne' of teas due to its light and delicate taste. Sri Lanka produces Ceylon tea, which is noted for its clear, bright, full-bodied flavor. Due to Sri Lanka's peculiar environment, tea may be cultivated all year.

Africa

Africa today produces over one-third of the world's tea, mostly from Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Kenyan teas are quite bright and vivid, with a nice taste. Although tea has only been produced in Africa since roughly 1900, the environment and developments in scientific knowledge have resulted in African teas being utilized in many of today's more popular blends.

Be daring and sample several teas from across the globe. You'll be pleasantly surprised to discover different tastes, and you could even find your new favorite tea.