What is black tea?
In short, loose leaf black tea is fully fermented leaves of the tea plant Camellia Sinensis. It has distinctive rich color and robust flavor.
How is black tea made?
After the tea leaves are harvested, they got to be processed. First, they are getting dried and withered to remove excessive moisture. Then the tea leaves are rolled into strips either mechanically or by hand for high-quality teas. The next step is fermenting or oxidizing. The type (“color”) of the tea depends on the level of oxidation. Of all the types of tea, black is the most oxidized one. It has distinctive rich color and robust flavor.
Is drinking black tea good for you?
Yes, and in more ways than one. Properly prepared loose leaf black tea isn’t just a shot of energy in a cup. In addition to caffeine, it contains antioxidants, polyphenols, amino acids, and other compounds that benefit your body in unique ways. Tannins in black tea boost immunity and its polyphenols and minerals reduce signs of aging. In terms of energy and focus, black tea delivers a smoother, more well-rounded package than coffee and other energy drinks. That’s because its caffeine content is balanced by L-theanine, an amino acid that improves concentration while also keeping you relaxed.
Tea tips 
When searching for a perfect cup of black tea, read carefully the labels and descriptions, paying attention to these little details that make a world of difference.
- Origin. Most of the loose leaf black tea comes from India, China, and Ceylon. The highest quality elite teas are those harvested from a single source within these regions – plantation, estate, or garden. It is helpful to know where exactly your tea comes from since teas from different regions have different qualities and flavors. This is the same concept used in the wine industry, where appellation d’origine controlee ensures certain qualities of wines made of grape from a defined source. Single-origin teas are available from the best online tea stores and popular brands as well as from smaller vendors who ship directly from the source. Some of the world’s finest black teas come from the Indian regions of Darjeeling, Nilgiri, and Assam.
- The size of leaves. There are whole leaf teas, aka “orange pekoe,” broken leaves, and, finally, fannings and dust. Perfectly intact, unbroken leaves are the most valuable. They are usually used for the production of teas of the highest quality. Fannings and dust are being used as “stuffing” for casual fast brewing tea bags (this is still tea!).
- Pure or blend. Various blends can be created by mixing different teas or with other botanicals. Unflavored blends, like English Breakfast, are done by mixing black teas of different origins and qualities. By adding various botanical ingredients, spices, and flavorings, tea producers create infinite numbers of flavored tea blends. Some of them are well-known and popular staples like Masala Chai and Earl Grey tea. Others represent original and truly unique artisan creations.
- Smoked tea. For an exceptional tea experience, try Lapsang Souchong, Chinese black tea traditionally prepared by smoking over the pine wood.
Where to buy the best black tea online? 
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Classic English Breakfast Black Loose Leaf Tea Curated blend of robust and flavorful Assam black teas - 100% Pure Unblended Single Region Tea Strong, Bold and Flavorful Black Tea Leaves Tastes characteristically malty with hints of caramel and cocoa Has a soothing woody aroma with a whiff of chocolate Makes for a bold breakfast cuppa Can be served with or without milk and sugar Can be brewed both hot and cold Popularised in Indian by the British monarchy, our Classic English Breakfast tea brings together the finest bounties from the divine region of Assam in India. A curated combination of robust, full-bodied, and flavourful Assam black teas makes for a bold breakfast cuppa! The dark black leaves are interspersed with beautiful golden tips. The bright, reddish liquor is rich, full-bodied, and is characteristically malty with hints of caramel and cocoa. It also has a soothing woody aroma with a whiff of chocolate. Truly regal and energising. |
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Mangalam Gold Summer Black Tea A malty Assam cup with notes of brown dates, dried raisins, and apricots. Second flush teas from Assam are known for their distinctive malty flavor. This black tea acquires the same malty traits along with the gorgeous golden tips that make it stand out from the rest. Robust malty flavors interlaced by the delectable notes of brown dates and dried raisins hum throughout the entire duration of the cup. Briefly interrupted by the hints of cocoa, the experience finishes on stone-fruity flavors akin to apricots, making it a sublime cup of summer black tea. |
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Castleton Exotic Summer Muscatel Black Tea A stellar Darjeeling cup that is aromatic with medium strength marked with notes of peaches and black grapes. This iconic tea estate is where it all started, the creation of the first Muscatel. And decades later, the art is perfected and what it offers is phenomenal. Take in the medium body of this exceptional cup that is highly aromatic and flavorful. Fresh and uplifting notes of peaches mingled with flavors of black grapes and prunes come over from the start and stay on throughout. Delicious hints of cedar and white almonds round up the cup giving it a lively character and depth. Nuanced notes of stone fruits make up the aftertaste elevating the true Muscatel experience. |
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Assam Souchong Black Tea RICH and MALTY Black Tea Loose Leaf Its long, loosely-rolled leaves are selected from the upper elevation estates of Assam It carries the impressive aroma of black tea cured in oak wood smoke and a pleasant fragrance of frost flowers A fine and delicious smoky tea which is best enjoyed as a plain black tea A specialty blend, from the divine region of Assam, soaked in an enticing aroma of Oakwood smoke. A malty Assam summer tea sourced from aged chi-nary bushes that results in a lively cup! The blackish-brown long leaves are loosely hand-rolled and are interspersed with treasured buds. It carries the impressive aroma of black tea cured in oak wood smoke and a pleasant fragrance of frost flowers. The bright amber liquor is smoky and features notes of oak wood fire in the front and the soothing undertones of a forest. A cup of unique character and a lovely mouthfeel. |
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Superfine Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea Balanced aromatic and fresh rich taste. Keemun Mao Feng is a special variety of Keemun black tea, from Qi Men County in the Anhui province of China. It is known for its peculiar aroma and shape, and has been recognized as one of the world's four best black teas.Rated as the best of China's black teas, Keemun is an absolute delight to drink. Teavivre's superfine Keemun Mao Feng represents the best of this already high-quality tea, with a taste, aroma, and appearance that totally justify its renown. Handmade in its birthplace of Qimen, this tea is simply stunning. |
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Rose Dian Hong Black Tea Rose fragrance, mellow taste. This tea is made with roses from France known for their rich fragrance. The result of the mixing with Dian Hong black tea from Yunnan produces with pleasing tea, bringing you a fantastic experience combining the tea's mellow, sweet flavor with the bright fragrance of the roses. |
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Assam T.G.F.O.P. Tea Organic An Organic Assam Black Tea from the mountains of southern India. T.G.F.O.P. is a very high grade tea, containing many lighter golden tan tips of the tea adding to the depth of taste. This tea has a full-bodied, rich malty flavor and makes a delicious breakfast tea. Milk and sugar complement this tea well. |
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Organic Lapsang Souchong Scotch & Cigar Lovers Organic Black Tea. Organic Lapsang Souchong black tea, from the Wuyi region of the Fujian province of China, is the single malt scotch and fine cigar lovers tea of California Tea House. It has an amazing smoky flavor and aroma due to its drying process. This is the highest grade Lapsang in the world, also known as Royal Grade Lapsang, and is smoke-dried using only Wuyi local pine wood. This is one of our unique favorites that is sure to find a following as we open up our collection. Buy organic lapsang souchong with our 100% satisfaction guarantee.Just as cigar smokers favor either a light leaf or dark leaf wrapper, you will find your own perfect steep time somewhere between 3 to 5 minutes (longer for a darker effect). Use 1 teaspoon of tea per cup in filtered or spring water at just below boiling water. |
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Organic Golden Monkey Paw Pot 'O Gold, Malty And Full Organic Black Tea. Organic Golden Monkey Paw is a USDA certified organic, black tea made from the very young leaves and bud of new season growth. It originates from the WuyiMountains in Fujian Province, China. With the same careful process as White Monkey Paw green tea, the tea leaves are hand picked with an artistic process to preserve the tea leaf form and then delicately steamed and dried. The leaves are then allowed a fermentation process which brings out the beautiful black and gold colors. These perfect, prized tea leaves in our California Tea House collection resemble a monkey's paw, hence the name. Buy organic golden monkey paw with our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Enjoy the art of one of our finest black teas with approximately 1 heaping teaspoon of tea to each cup of mineral or filtered water. Steep up to 4 minutes in almost boiling water. |
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Irish Breakfast Tea Organic, Fair Trade Created to match the style favored by the tea-loving Irish, this blend features a blend of Organic Black Teas, giving it a dark full-bodied, malty flavor that's slightly stronger than the English Breakfast Tea. As its name implies, Irish Breakfast Tea is an ideal accompaniment to a morning meal, and the addition of milk and sugar to this tea creates a warm, solid flavor and aroma, providing a velvety smooth texture. |
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Isabelle is a freelance writer, self-taught tea nerd, and tea blending enthusiast. She is a herbalist with a strong interest in Ayurveda. Each year Isabelle travels extensively, returning with tea samples from around the world. She is a big fan of handmade teaware and Japanese green teas.