Black Tea Varieties

If you thought black tea was just something you order instead of coffee – then think again - there's a whole new world of tea surprises out there.

So just what is black tea then? It's the most popular tea in the world. The tea plant, camellia sinensis gives us green tea, white tea, black and oolong tea. Black tea leaves are oxidized and then dried, which is what gives this tea its black color. Depending on where it comes from, flavors and varieties vary enormously. Chinese tea sorts include lapsang souchong, dian hone, keemun and ying de hong, grown and processed in different provinces. Indian teas are equally famous, giving us Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri and Sri Lanka grows the well loved Ceylon tea. Other Asian countries also grow tea and this drink is much loved all over this continent. Surprisingly much of the tea – especially iced tea – enjoyed in the U.S. comes from Argentina and there are even small plantations in the U.S. itself.  A variety of different teas can also be blended. Lots of tea bags have blended tea, unfortunately often of a poorer quality. Premium tea leaves are sold for loose tea and unfurl when boiling water is poured over them, releasing their full flavor and aroma.

Tea is such a great drink and your family and friends will love it. Make tea drinking part of your daily life. There are so many varieties to savor and it's a healthy beverage too – even children like it.