The tea plant, the origin of black tea
It's not easy to trace the origins of tea, and to have the name of the individual who was the first to test the infusion of dried tea leaves. So if we want to go back as far as possible to the beginnings of black tea, we must seek to know more about the tea plant, this shrub from the Theaceae family, native to the Far East. Before its cultivation was organized, in fields like today, the tea plant existed wildly (particularly in China). Then, man, who had been picking and infusing plants thousands of years ago, realized the benefits of the tea plant and decided to cultivate it. Whether it is white tea, green tea or black tea, it is the same plant (Camellia sinensis) which is at the origin. The color of the tea then depends on how the leaves are treated after harvest.
When was black tea invented?
It’s a mystery, the exact date is not known. But clues exist. In 2021, remains of tea were identified in China in a tomb dating from around 400 BC. In addition, a Chinese text dating from -59 BC is the first to mention the use of tea in daily life at the time. Another text, more recent, but very old all the same (+350) specifies that it was mountain people from south-west China who taught the Northern Chinese the use of wild tea leaves for food. It was not until the great (geographical) discoveries and the establishment of trade routes that black tea arrived in Europe in the 16th century.
What is the initial color of black tea leaves?
It is the level of oxidation that determines the “color” of the tea. If for all types of tea, the leaves will be harvested at the same time, and left to dry, it is then that the method differs. Black tea will remain in the open air longer, in order to undergo natural oxidation. As is the case with other harvested plants, exposure to oxygen will cause the tissues to darken. Conversely, green tea is a tea whose oxidation is stopped after picking. And this affects the tea leaves and the color of the infusion. Green tea will give a pale yellow to orange infusion, while black tea will give a darker colored tea, ranging from amber, red and even dark brown tones.
In which countries are black tea leaves produced?
If China is the cradle of tea, several other Asian countries, also having a tropical climate favorable to the cultivation of tea, have started to produce it: Japan, India, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam... Something to drink locally when you travel to these countries! It should be noted that in Japan, production is primarily focused on green tea, and that black tea is very rare there. Among the most famous black teas, we particularly recommend that you try Yunnan black tea (China), Ceylon black tea (Sri Lanka), Darjeeling black tea (India) and Earl Gray black tea with bergamot.
What are the health benefits of black tea leaves?
The benefits of black tea leaves are multiple: starting with their energizing but non-exciting effect due to the presence of theine. Black tea is also known for its beneficial effects on digestion and the regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol. Its richness in antioxidants would make it a very good ally in the fight against free radicals, the development of certain diseases and premature aging of cells.
And to drink quality black tea and make the most of all its benefits, we opt for organic tea. Indeed, the organic designation guarantees you quality leaves without pesticides, raised and cultivated with respect for the environment.
Drinking a cup of black tea means opting for an ancestral drink, several thousand years old. Produced in several regions of the world, black tea leaves are then transported to Europe for consumption. To the delight of Europeans! For a tasty, quality tea, we opt for organic, if possible in bulk.