Varieties of black tea from China
China is the largest tea producing country in the world, particularly black tea. Each type of black tea has its particularities and comes from a different region.
Keemun
The Keemun : this black tea comes from the Qimen and Huangshan region, which are located in the province of Anhui, in eastern China. The region is known for its mountains and low clouds which offer sublime landscapes. The Keemun black tea is a clear tea which does not require a large quantity to offer a tasty infusion. It is characterized by woody notes, a fruity taste and sometimes, a slight flavor of chocolate.
Lapsang Souchong
Under the term Lapsang Souchong, we designate a smoked black tea originally from Fujian, a province located in the southeast of China. It is a mountainous region which has long been difficult to access. It has a subtropical climate with humid, hot summers and mild winters. The black tea comes from the lower leaves of the tea plant, and is considered one of the finest teas. He sports a dark caramel color once infused, and is even used in certain recipes such as smoked pumpkin velouté and marbled eggs.
Yunnan
The Yunnan is a kind of black tea which comes from the region of the same name, located in southwest China. There are mountains, rice fields and lakes. High altitude tea, it is considered one of the best black teas in the world. He will be perfect for the morning, it offers strong flavors, but without bitterness thanks to the balance of perfumes. With its sweet and light flavor, it is very suitable for people wishing to learn tea.
Oolong
The Oolong is a tea halfway between black tea and green tea, the oxidation of the leaves not being complete. It offers fresh flavors or more intense depending on its level of oxidation. The Oolong is also characterized by notes of flowers and butter, and even more complex, slightly toasted notes.
Varieties of black tea from Japan
In Japan, the Japan Lapsang is the type of black tea the most produced. It's a smoked black tea which offers strong flavorswooded, very pleasant and balanced. It is obtained thanks to rare know-how which allows this tea to offer all its smoky flavors, sometimes unusual but always delicious. However, Japan remains a major producer of green tea, more than black tea.
Varieties of black tea from India
India is a country that also offers fabulous types of black tea, grown in gardens often at altitude.
Assamese
Cultivated in India, this black tea light color composed of large leaves grows mainly at sea level at low altitude and offers strong flavors. Invigorating, with body, theAssam tea is perfect for breakfast. You can even add a touch of milk which will go very well with its strong taste. To be sure to drink quality Assam tea, choose leaves harvested during the second harvest, often better than the first.
Darjeeling
The Darjeeling is undoubtedly the best-known black tea in India, it is produced in West Bengal, in the Gardens of the Darjeeling region located in the foothills of the Himalayas. In total, there are 87 gardens producing Darjeeling tea. The most popular black tea due to the excellence of its leaves, it is distinguished by its woody and dense taste. Depending on the harvest period, this black tea offers variable colors when infused and more or less pronounced flavors of muscat. Darjeeling tea is in fact harvested 3 times a year: the spring harvest gives a tea with delicate flavors and a light body on the palate, the summer harvest stands out with more amber Darjeeling leaves having a more pronounced taste and a slight bitterness, finally the autumn harvest which comes after the rainy season gives a tea with ripe and woody notes.
Varieties of black tea from Sri Lanka
World famous, Ceylon black tea is grown in Sri Lanka. It can also be found in the form of green tea or white tea. But it is its version in the form of black tea which is the most famous in the world. Full-bodied tea and rich in tannins, it has a round, strong and robust taste in the mouth. It is similar to Assam or Darjeeling tea and can be drunk with a touch of milk. It represents a good alternative to coffee for people wishing to reduce or stop their caffeine consumption.
The originality of smoked black tea
Alongside all these major types of black tea, there is also smoked black tea whose leaves have been oxidized, rolled on themselves and then smoked. The best-known smoked black teas are Lapsang Souchong from China or Japan Lapsang from Japan.
Black tea, the basis of spicy teas
If you are more of a fan of spicy and flavored teas, black tea is the base of Chai teas. Whatever the typicality, Assam, Ceylon, Yunnan, Darjeeling, it goes very well with cinnamon, cardamom or cloves. Chai is drunk daily by Indians who mix it with milk and sugar.
Choose your black tea wisely
To choose a quality black tea, we recommend that you choose loose organic black tea. The organic designation guarantees you controls during development and production as well as a product developed with respect for the environment. You are thus assured of drinking pesticide-free, premium quality tea.
The benefits of black tea
Black teas, like green teas or white teas, have many health benefits. Starting with their richness in antioxidants, these molecules which help to fight against the development of certain diseases and premature aging of cells. However, they do not dethrone green teas which remain the teas richest in this material.
Black tea is then the tea with the greatest amount of tannins and the highest caffeine content. It is perfect for the morning and goes very well with breakfast toast. It provides energy throughout the day but does not or only slightly increase nervousness unlike coffee. Did you know that theine and caffeine actually come from the same molecule? They therefore mean the same thing but do not produce the same effects on the body. Theine is released diffusely in the body throughout the day, while caffeine is available almost immediately. This is why the latter is associated with a very marked boost effect.
Prepare and brew your black tea
In order to preserve all the aromas and benefits of your black tea, at Kusmi Tea we recommend that you do not infuse your tea in water that is too hot. Too high a temperature will actually damage your tea leaves. Conversely, water that is too cold will not allow optimal infusion. A temperature between 80 and 95°C is ideal. In terms of taste, a long infusion time will give a tea that is rich and strong in aromas and flavors. If you prefer a lighter taste, don't steep it for too long. Between 2 and 3 minutes for example.
Kusmi Tea review
At Kusmi Tea, we love black tea. Preferably organic! This tea will brighten up your mornings and provide the energy you need to start the day off right. It will also be suitable for a warm snack break.
The wide variety of black tea will allow you to easily find the one that suits you. For breakfast or during the day, a cup of black tea provides an intense moment of fragrant pleasure. In addition, black tea has numerous benefits for health and the body.