Are there different types of black tea?
There are various types of black tea with different flavors and exquisite aromas.
Even the most experienced tea drinkers have difficulty differentiating between the numerous varieties of black tea.
It is a favorite in this part of the world. It is estimated that about 90% of all tea consumed in the West comes from China.
The family of black teas is broad and varied but has traits in common, such as taste and body.
Many countries around the world produce black tea, including China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Nepal, and Argentina.
When we buy high-quality original tea, to name just a few.
Common varieties of black tea include Ceylon, Assam, Darjeeling, and Sikkim, considered by many to be the two finest black teas.
The following will give you a solid idea of what black tea is all about.
The fundamental point that distinguishes black tea from other varieties is the high degree of oxidation that it passes through during its production.
Aroma: This tea is characterized by its intense aromas. The oxidation process is responsible.
Caffeine: Popular culture says that black tea is the one with the highest concentration of caffeine.
However, this is not so clear.
Origins: Black tea is produced in many countries.
Just as you could say that China or Japan are famous for their green teas, India is famous for black.
Combinations: it is common to find black tea as the basis of tea blends (so-called blends).
Its aroma and body make it ideal for this, unlike more delicate teas, such as green or white.
Related article: Health Benefits of Drinking Darjeeling Tea.
Different types of black tea.
Infusions.
In some places, black tea blends with other plants or foods to obtain different flavors or smells: Smoky notes, wood, cocoa, and tobacco abound.
In black teas from India and Sri Lanka, you will find more floral notes and red fruits, such as prunes and tobacco
Among the most recognized we can highlight.
English tea.
Although tea is originally from China, it popularized in the world due to the English influence of various teas and in some cases other ingredients.
These are the most popular types of tea of English origin.
Masala tea.
A mixture that has become popular in recent times.
It consists of black tea and a mixture of Indian spices and aromatic herbs.
The intense flavor of black tea becomes a consistent basis for adding the aromas of the species.
English Breakfast.
In an area like England, where it is so common to have tea, this is mixed with milk and sugar.
Irish Breakfast Tea.
Different types of black teas are mixed especially Assam’s other varieties.
This tea is not mixed, they are used to create English tea or is taken alone.
Ceylon tea.
This tea comes from Sri Lanka, an island that was colonized by Englishmen until 1948 when it was called Ceylon.
Hence the name of this famous tea.
Tea from India.
Assam Tea.
The most exclusive variety there is.
Assam is a region of the Indian country that mostly produces Assan black tea and many are of the highest quality.
It is very strong and malting. If it is too astringent, you can add milk.
Darjeeling tea.
Another of the black tea-producing regions par excellence in India is Darjeeling.
This tea is known as “the Champagne of black tea” for its exquisite aromatic expression.
It is cultivated and prepared in the western region of Bengal. Its taste is very strong.
Nilgiri tea.
This is cultivated in Tamil Nadu in India and is the tastiest black tea that exists.
A particularly intense black tea, its infusion is dark and aromatic.
It is grown in the south of India, in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Its strong flavor makes it fit well in blends with other teas.
Kangra tea.
A tea of height, the cultivation of this variety occurs between 900 and 1,400 meters altitude.
Kangra is one of India’s smallest tea-producing regions, a factor that certainly affects the use of exclusive tea.
A fruity and softer taste than Darjeeling tea, but with more body.
Related article: Assam Indian Black Tea.
Tea from China.
Lapsang Souchong Tea.
One of China’s curiosities is Lapsang Souchong, a smoked black tea, produced in Fujian Province.
It is a very particular tea that is consumed a lot in Russia.
We can find it in very famous tea blends like the Russian Caravan.
Yunnan tea.
Is one of the most important regions of Chinese tea production.
The Yunnan Black Gold or The Yunnan Gold Tips are some of the most recognized in the black tea category.
Keemun tea.
Keemun black tea is one of the most prized for its spicy, somewhat smoky notes, sweet raisins, and somewhat spicy finish.
It is traditionally produced in China in the Anhui province.
Dian Hong tea.
Its origin is in Yunnan and is well known because black tea is malting.
Ying de Hong tea.
It is mostly found in the Canton region and is a fairly exclusive variety.
Other teas.
Vietnamese tea.
As its name suggests, it is cultivated in Vietnam, with a pleasant and sweet aroma but strong flavor.
It’s a pretty cheap variety.
Nepalese tea.
It is cultivated in the highlands of Nepal and looks a bit like the Darjeeling but of worse quality.
Rize tea.
It is cultivated in the province of Rize, to the east of the coasts of the Black Sea.
It’s pretty crystalline in a different color.
Related article: What types of green tea are good for you?
The Taste of Black Tea.
A common and noteworthy factor in the flavors of the black tea family is its intensity.
They play an important role in the oxidation process, which confers strong flavors and dense bodies.
The great differences in the lands and the weather conditions where the tea is grown add nuances of great richness.
From Darjeeling’s delicate tea to the intense Lapsang Souchong there is a world of differences.
We can find malted, near cocoa, floral, citrus, fruity, or even smoked flavors.
Elaboration process.
In the production of different types of black tea, the fixation process is skipped.
As the leaf cells break it results in oxidation.
The dried strands of this tea have a brownish-black color given by the oxidation process.
After wilting at the factory, a process that in black teas can last between 12 and 20 hours, the leaves are routed by hand or with special orthodox machines for that.
As the polyphenol enzyme was not deactivated by the fixation process.
It reacts with the oxygen in the air and with the polyphenols of the tea to give brown compounds.
This is similar to what happens, for example, when you cut an apple and leave it outdoors for a while.
In the tea oxidation process, 2 main types of polyphenols are generated:
Theaflavins (which are golden and give the most intense notes in taste).
Thearubiginos appear, are copper-colored and their flavor is much softer and sweeter.
The longer the oxidation process, the softer and more round the tea will be on the palate.
Then it is followed by drying, sorting, and packaging, as in all kinds of tea.
Black tea benefits and properties.
Numerous research has shown that black tea possesses a wide variety of beneficial health properties.
These are similar among the different varieties of tea since they all come from the same plant.
Camellia sinensis, although depending on their origin and their form of preparation.
Some compounds could be found in greater concentrations, such as caffeine.
One of the most outstanding properties of black tea is that it contributes to lowering the level of cholesterol in the blood.
So we can find it as an ingredient in numerous supplements in the pharmacy.
Other properties of black tea.
It helps lower cholesterol.
It is ideal to be consumed before meals, as it prepares the digestive system to work properly.
Help keep your arteries healthy and can prevent heart disease.
It protects the immune system and helps fight infections.
Because of its Fluoride content, it helps prevent cavities and oral diseases.
Reduce blood sugar levels.
Collaborate with slower stress.
It helps control blood pressure.
It activates the mind, improves concentration, and favors memory.
Black tea and caffeine.
There are many doubts about whether tea contains theine.
Or caffeine or whether it has more theine black tea than green tea, etc.
To clarify these concepts, let’s start by defining that when we talk about theine or caffeine.
We are referring to the same substance (the same chemical compound) only that when found in tea.
Many often call it theine, associating caffeine as a unique attribute of coffee.
All types of tea have caffeine, but if you compare a cup of tea with a cup of coffee, the theine content is much lower in the tea.
As for the amount of caffeine that each type of tea possesses.
It is much more complicated to define as it depends on many variables such as the varietal of the plant.
So that you can have it as a reference, in general, black teas usually have only more caffeine (or theine) than other types of tea.
So they are used in diets to lose weight.
FAQ.
Is it bad to drink black tea every day?
Black tea is one of these drinks almost nothing is demanded by people due to its intense flavor.
But that, when tried, makes you fall in love with it automatically because, compared to coffee or energy drinks.
It activates your body and, makes blood flow better to our brain.
It is advisable to always drink black tea in moderation and try different types of black tea.
As ingesting more than three cups a day eliminates the properties and benefits it brings and could bring side effects for you such as headache, sleep problems, ringing in the ears, and drowsiness.
Can black tea reduce weight?
Black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant; it is low in calories and is full of antioxidants.
That takes care of your health, prevents cancer, and diabetes, improves memory, relaxes you, etc.
Like green tea, black tea alters the proportion of gut bacteria.
This means that the percentage of bacteria associated with obesity decreases.
Beyond having a nice figure, with black tea you’d be helping your gut and your whole body give it the necessary properties to help it discards toxic components that lodge in your body.
You’ll be able to speed up your metabolism, purify toxins and fill yourself with energy in a natural and efficient way.
What’s the best time for black tea?
The bitter, intense and exquisite taste that black tea leaves on the palate make it a very demanded drink by tea lovers since it has all the attributes to start the morning after a long rest.
In addition, the percentage of caffeine, it has, is lower than that of coffee.
Guarantees that it is a natural stimulant that should only be drunk early in the morning.
Because that is when the body needs to activate and start all kinds of activities.
Related article: Which teas are made from the same plant as green tea?
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