Black Tea is the most popular tea in the U.S. and England, but is a very small percentage of the tea consumed in China, the birthplace of tea. It became the chosen tea to export from China during the 19th century due to its ability to withstand the long ocean voyage back to Europe.

Black tea is made from fully oxidized tea leaves. The leaves are plucked, withered, rolled, bruised or cut, oxidized also called fermented, heated and dried, sorted, graded, and then packed for storage and shipping. Oxidation occurs when the molecules of a substance lose electrons due to exposure to oxygen and/or any other highly electronegative agents. In the case of tea, it is the enzymes in the leaf that oxidize. After the leaf is fully oxidized it will then be heated to remove all but about three percent of the moisture content. Heating stops oxidation and makes the tea suitable for storage and drinking. Black tea generally has the highest caffeine content of all teas. It is always best to try your tea before adding milk or sugar, and black tea is probably the most likely candidate for one or both.

View our selection of Black Tea.