The different varieties of black tea?
There is a huge variety of black teas! But there is no tasting without buying, and choosing isn't always easy. Kusmi Tea helps you navigate the options. Discover their taste, flavour, origin and characteristics!
BLACK TEAS FROM CHINA
Keemun: this tea comes from eastern China, in a region renowned for its mountains and high altitude. On the palate, it delivers light, woody and fruity notes.
Lapsang Souchong: ancestral and enjoyed for millennia by the Chinese, Lapsang Souchong comes from south-western China. Most often smoked over a pine-root fire, this tea stands out with its woody and subtly ashy flavour.
Yunnan: originating from the region of the same name, Yunnan tea is a high-altitude tea found in China in an area of mountains, rice fields and lakes. It is characterised by a perfect balance of flavours and a sweet, delicate taste.
Oolong: undoubtedly the most floral of black teas thanks to its fresh, intense flavour. Sitting between green tea and black tea, it pairs wonderfully with afternoon tea or a break during the day.
BLACK TEAS FROM JAPAN
Japan Lapsang: Japan Lapsang is a Japanese smoked tea offering a pleasant, woody taste.
Smoked tea: several varieties of smoked tea exist in Japan. Smoked tea undergoes a long oxidation period followed by drying over pine wood and is then smoked over a fire. When brewed, it usually turns a dark colour. Highly aromatic, it is known for its woody, smoky flavour. You will love it at breakfast and during brunch.
BLACK TEAS FROM INDIA
Darjeeling: it is one of the most prestigious teas in the world. It is produced in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Darjeeling Gardens. It is characterised by a woody and ripe berry flavour.
Assam: also an exceptional tea with a bright colour, Assam tea is grown in the Assam region of India. Boasting a full-bodied taste and robust profile, this black tea is perfect for breakfast. It is particularly loved by the British for their famous Tea Time!
Nilgiri: this Indian tea grows on mountain slopes and enjoys plenty of sunshine. It has a coppery colour and a lingering, intense flavour on the palate. Some detect subtle spicy notes.
BLACK TEAS FROM SRI LANKA
Ceylon: produced in the Ceylon region of Sri Lanka, Ceylon tea is considered a grand cru among black teas. It stands out for its exotic, aromatic taste as well as its quality!
Which black tea to choose for a moment of indulgence?
If black tea leaves are only lightly oxidised during processing, they offer sweet, floral and velvety notes. Which is the best black tea to bring you a sense of well-being?
Darjeeling tea: this is without doubt the most famous black tea in the world. It offers subtle variations in taste depending on the season in which the leaves are harvested. When picked in spring, you enjoy the greenest of black teas. A cup of Darjeeling is fruity and floral, delicate and light.
Keemun tea: also known as Qimen Hong Cha, this black tea is delightfully sweet. Connoisseurs have made it one of their favourites. In a cup of Keemun, you discover wine-like aromas, with delicious floral and fruity flavours.
Which black tea to choose for a drink with character?
If you love full-bodied tea, which is the best black tea? It's all a matter of taste. Simply choose a tea whose leaves have been oxidised for longer.
Assam tea: a tea of character, with bold, malty aromas. It is often found in black tea blends, serving as the base for English or Irish Breakfast.
Yunnan black tea: partially fermented, this tea offers original notes of chocolate and malt. Chocolate lovers fall head over heels for this surprising tea. Some Yunnan black teas can leave a delicious hint of spices on the palate.
Ceylon black tea: it would be more accurate to say Ceylon black "teas". Grown at different altitudes, they offer varied flavour profiles. These teas deliver rich, strong tastes with hints of spices and chocolate.
Lapsang souchong black tea: with its smoky flavour, this tea delights lovers of dark chocolate and roasted coffee.
To buy quality tea, choose organic
To enjoy a quality black tea, here at Kusmi we highly recommend opting for an organic tea, ideally loose leaf. The certification guarantees quality leaves without pesticides thanks to the many checks carried out during crafting and production. Organic is a label that prohibits the use of chemicals. Perfect for guaranteed quality and wholesome tea leaves!
How to brew black tea properly
Nothing could be simpler, as long as you follow a few steps! First, heat the water. If you are using tap water, we recommend letting it run for a moment before filling your kettle or saucepan. Tea needs oxygen to infuse properly, but oxygen levels can drop when water sits in pipes.
So, boil water to a temperature of 90°C. Black tea is brewed in hot water, unlike green tea which prefers simmering water. Once the water is at the right temperature, add the tea (one teaspoon) and stir the leaves gently. Let it steep for a few minutes and then remove the tea from the cup. Brewing time varies depending on your taste. The longer a tea brews, the stronger and more robust its body and flavour will be.
Our expert reviews
At Kusmi Tea, black tea is a staple of our mornings and breakfasts. Perfect for a gentle yet energising start to the day! We strongly recommend choosing organic. Organic tea is a guarantee of quality and health!
To the question: which black tea should you choose? You can answer: absolutely all of them! You can vary your enjoyment depending on the time of day and your mood. There will always be a black tea to bring you gentle comfort or rich intensity. Did you know that black tea has many benefits?