Varieties of black tea from China
China is the world’s largest tea-producing country, particularly for black tea. Each type of black tea has its own characteristics and comes from a different region.
Keemun
Keemun : this black tea comes from the Qimen and Huangshan region, located in Anhui province in eastern China. The region is known for its mountains and low clouds, which create sublime landscapes. Keemun black tea is a light tea that does not require a large quantity to produce a flavoursome infusion. It is characterised by woody notes, a fruity flavour and sometimes a subtle chocolate flavour.
Lapsang Souchong
The term Lapsang Souchong refers to a smoked black tea originating from Fujian, a province in south-eastern China. It is a mountainous region that was long difficult to access. It has a subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Black tea comes from the lower leaves of the tea plant and is considered one of the finest teas. Once infused, it has a dark caramel colour and is even used in certain recipes, such as smoked pumpkin velouté and marbled eggs.
Yunnan
Yunnan is a type of black tea from the region of the same name, located in south-western China. It is home to mountains, rice paddies and lakes. A high-altitude tea, it is considered one of the world’s finest black teas. It is perfect for the morning, offering strong flavours without bitterness thanks to the balance of its aromas. With its mild, delicate flavour, it is ideal for people wishing to discover tea.
Oolong
Oolong is a tea halfway between black tea and green tea, as the oxidation of the leaves is incomplete. It offers fresh or more intense flavours depending on its level of oxidation. Oolong is also characterised by floral and buttery notes, and even more complex, slightly roasted notes.
Varieties of black tea from Japan
In Japan, Japan Lapsang is the most widely produced type of black tea. It is a smoked black tea offering strong,woody flavours that are very pleasant and well balanced. It is made using rare expertise that enables this tea to reveal all its smoky flavours, sometimes unusual but always delicious. Japan nevertheless remains a major producer of green tea, more so than black tea.
Varieties of black tea from India
India is also a country offering fabulous types of black tea, grown in gardens often at high altitude.
Assam
Grown in India, this light-coloured black tea, made up of large leaves, grows mainly at sea level and low altitude and offers strong flavours. Invigorating and full-bodied, Assam tea is perfect for breakfast. You can even add a dash of milk, which pairs beautifully with its robust flavour. To be sure of drinking quality Assam tea, choose leaves harvested during the second flush, often better than the first.
Darjeeling
The Darjeeling is undoubtedly India’s best-known black tea. It is produced in West Bengal, in the gardens of the Darjeeling region located in the foothills of the Himalayas. In total, there are said to be 87 gardens producing Darjeeling tea. The most prized black tea due to the excellence of its leaves, it stands out for its woody, full-bodied flavour. Depending on the harvest period, this black tea offers varying colours when infused and more or less pronounced muscatel flavours. Darjeeling tea is harvested three times a year: the spring harvest produces a tea with delicate flavours and a light body on the palate; the summer harvest is distinguished by more amber Darjeeling leaves with a more pronounced flavour and slight bitterness; finally, the autumn harvest, which follows the rainy season, produces a tea with ripe, woody notes.
Varieties of black tea from Sri Lanka
World-renowned, Ceylon black tea is grown in Sri Lanka. It can also be found as green tea or white tea. But it is its black tea version that is the most famous worldwide. Full-bodied and rich in tannins, it has a rounded, strong and robust flavour on the palate. It is similar to Assam tea or Darjeeling and can be drunk with a dash of milk. It is 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 oxidised, rolled and then smoked. The best-known smoked black teas are China’s Lapsang Souchong and Japan’s Japan Lapsang.
Black tea, the base of spiced teas
If you prefer spiced and flavoured teas, black tea is the base for Chai teas. Whatever the variety—Assam, Ceylon, Yunnan or Darjeeling—it pairs beautifully with cinnamon, cardamom or clove. Chai is drunk daily by Indians, who mix it with milk and sugar.
Choosing your black tea well
To choose a quality black tea, we recommend choosing loose-leaf organic black tea. Organic certification guarantees checks during development and production, as well as a product developed with respect for the environment. You can therefore be sure to drink pesticide-free, premium-quality tea.
The benefits of black tea
Black teas, like green or white teas, have many health benefits. Starting with their richness in antioxidants, these molecules are said to help fight the development of certain diseases and premature cell ageing. However, they do not surpass green teas, which remain the richest in this respect.
Black tea is also the tea with the highest amount of tannins and 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 refer to the same thing but do not have the same effects on the body. Theine is released gradually throughout the body over the course of the day, whereas caffeine is available almost immediately. This is why the latter is associated with a very pronounced boost effect.
Preparing and steeping black tea
To preserve all the aromas and benefits of your black tea, at Kusmi Tea we recommend not steeping your tea in water that is too hot. Excessively high temperatures can 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 flavour, a long steeping time will produce a tea rich in aromas and flavours. If you prefer a lighter taste, do not steep it for too long. Between 2 and 3 minutes, for example.
Kusmi Tea reviews
At Kusmi Tea, we love black tea. Preferably organic! This tea will brighten your mornings and provide the energy needed to start the day well. It is also perfect for a cosy afternoon tea break.
The wide variety of black teas will make it easy for you to find the one that suits you. At breakfast or during the day, a cup of black tea offers an intense moment of fragrant pleasure. What is more, black tea has many benefits for health and the body.