Types of Tea

Black Tea

Black Tea

Black tea is produced when tea leaves undergo complete oxidation. This tea is stronger in flavor and contains higher quantities of caffeine. Black tea is the most popular type of tea in the West and contributes to 90% of the tea sold in the World. This tea is widely planted in China, India, and Sri Lanka. The Chinese refer to black tea as red tea. There is no specific time to consume black tea.

Generally, black tea is brewed by adding a spoon of tea leaves to a cup of boiled water. This tea can be enjoyed with milk or lemon.

PROCESSING BLACK TEA
Tea workers pluck the camellia sinensis leaves, which are then processed to produce different types of tea. These leaves undergo complete oxidation to produce black tea. Black tea processing consists of these steps:

1. Withering :- tea leaves are dried for 8 to 10 hours for evaporating water.
2. Rolling :- dried tea leaves are rolled and twisted. The released tea chemicals remain on the leaves to undergo oxidation.
3. Oxidation (Fermentation) :- tea leaves absorb oxygen and change color to coppery red. This process takes place under controlled temperature and humidity.
4. Firing :- leaves are dried again to detain the oxidation. The leaves turn black and acquire their distinct aroma.

Processed tea is then sorted and sent for packaging. Black tea may be sold as lose tea leaves, in tea bags, or as tea bricks.

VARIETY AND TYPES OF BLACK TEA

Unblended black teas are named after the region from where they are produced. The tea producing regions manufacture tea of characteristic flavors. Popular varieties of black tea include:

- Chinese black teas like Lapsang souchong, Keemun, Dian Hong, and Ying De Hong.
- Indian and Sri Lankan black teas like Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri. The Indian tea grades are classified according to the quality of the leaves. Tea grades include flowery pekoe (FP), orange pekoe (OP), pekoe (P), pekoe souchong (PS), and souchong (S), and some broken tea grades. All tea varieties are available as single or in blends.
The Sri Lankan or Ceylon grade teas are classified according to the size and appearance of the tea. These tea grades include Orange Pekoe, Pekoe, Souchong, Broken Orange Pekoe, Broken Pekoe, Broken Pekoe Souchong, and Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings.
- Vietnamese black tea, which is a dark brew of tea.
- Nepalese black tea.

Black tea can be enjoyed in different forms such as:
- Blended black teas: Often, black tea is blended with different plants, oils, or fruits. Blending enhances the taste, color, aroma of the tea. This tea is mostly sold in tea bags. Earl Grey is a famous blend of black tea and bergamot oil. Other famous blended teas include Jasmine tea, Lychee tea, and Jagertee.
- Chai tea: The black Chai is also becoming popular in the West. It is prepared by adding spices such as ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper to the traditional black tea. This type of tea tastes good with sugar and milk.
- Iced black tea: Iced or frozen black tea is available in different flavors. This tea is made by pouring boiled water over tea, and then adding cold water to this tea. This tea can be sweetened or unsweetened. Popular varieties of iced tea include blueberry, lemon, cherry, and peach.
- Organic black tea: This type of tea is free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides; it is grown in an environment-friendly condition.
- Flavored black tea: Medium black teas can be combined with natural or artificial flavors to produce flavored black teas. Popular flavors are cinnamon, jasmine, peach, apples, oranges, almonds, vanilla.

IS BLACK TEA GOOD FOR THE BODY?
Black tea offers several health and nutritional benefits, such as:
- Refreshes the mind and the body.
- Increases the bone density.
- Slows down the risk of having cancer.
- Improves the blood flow.
- Tea antioxidants contribute to healthy heart function. They decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. Tea also lowers the cholesterol level.

Don't limit yourself to one blend or variety of black tea. There is so much to experiment and choose from.