Black tea is the most fermented, or oxidized, of all teas giving it a stronger flavor and caffeine content. Black tea is typically made from the camellia Sinensis (shrub) and the larger leafed camellia Sinesis ‘Assamica’ tea plants. In China and Japan black tea is known as “Crimson Tea” (hóngchá); probably a more accurate description of the actual tea color which is even used in some garment dyes due to its natural red appearance. While green tea usually loses its flavor within a year, black tea retains its flavor for several years. The name black tea is more appropriate for the color of the oxidized leaves prior to brewing.
Here are the different types of Black Tea
- Ancient Pu-Erh
- Marmalade Pu-Erh
- Bird’s Nest Pu-Erh
- Almond Butter
- Lapsang Souchong
- Yunnan Golden Buds
- Golden Monkey Paw
- Darjeeling
- Vanilla Creme Earl Grey
- Apricot Chai
Ancient Pu-Erh
Ancient Pu-Erh is from the KunLu Royal Tea farm located in Pu-Erh City in the Yunnan province of China. Harvested from some of the oldest tea trees in the world, this tea has always been reserved for Royal guests and individuals holding high office in the Chinese Government. Kun Lu Royal Tea Farm used to provide the tea to the historic Emperors of China.
Health Benefits
Pu-Erh aids in the digestion of fatty foods and speeds the metabolism helping tea drinkers lose weight which makes Pu-erh tea the perfect tea after a heavy meal. Pu-Erh also helps reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels which helps prevent heart disease and cancer.
Preparation
Use with 1 teaspoon of tea to each cup of mineral or filtered water. Steep up to 4 minutes in almost boiling water.
Marmalade Pu-Erh
This tea has an old musky flavor with a touch of sweet and very mild bitters that preserved peaches, pineapple, lemon zest, and licorice root extract can bring to the table. If you’re new to Pu ‘erh, I recommend you start with a very pure Pu ‘erh like our Bird’s Nest and then try this Marmalade version so you will understand the flavor layers in each cup. This tea has an amazing aroma as well.
Health Benefits
Pu-Erh adds in the digestion of fatty foods and speeds the metabolism helping tea drinkers lose weight which makes Pu-erh tea the perfect tea after a heavy meal. Pu-Erh also helps reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels which helps prevent heart disease and cancer.
Preparation
Use 1 teaspoon of Marmalade Pu-Erh to each cup of filtered or spring water at a full boil and steep for 5-8 minutes, although, steeping Pu ‘Erh for longer won’t stress the flavor of the tea, you could bruise the flavor of the orange preserves.
Bird’s Nest Pu-Erh
This tea is made from a large leaf variety of Camellia Seninses that grows in the Pu-erh province near Yunnan, China; Pu-erh is a ‘post-fermentation’ tea known widely for its amazing health benefits. Like a fine wine that gets better with age, Pu-erh is one of the only teas that actually matures and improves with age. Pu-erh is pressed into perfect serving size bowls that resemble bird’s nests. Each nest is the perfect size for 2 cups of wonderful Pu-erh tea.
Health Benefits
Pu-Erh adds in the digestion of fatty foods and speeds the metabolism helping tea drinkers lose weight which makes Pu-erh tea the perfect tea after a heavy meal. Pu-Erh also helps reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels which helps prevent heart disease and cancer.
Preparation
Use filtered or spring water at a full boil. While Bird’s Nest Pu-erh doesn’t need to be steeped longer than 4-6 minutes, a long infusion of Pu-erh does not bring about an astringent taste. Throw a nest in your water bottle, pour boiling water over it, and enjoy it during the day or at the office. The nests do not break apart easily and do not need a filter. Make sure and store a nest or two from each order in a moderate temperature. Label each nest with the date and enjoy on a special occasion the flavor development that only time can create.
Almond Butter
If you’re looking for the perfect cinnamon tea look no further. The smoothness comes from this high quality black tea. Added to this tea are large almond slices, cinnamon sticks, and safflower blossoms to create this instant hit. Sprinkle in some sugar to bring out more of the cinnamon and almond flavor, but no cream is needed.
Health Benefits
According to the Mayo Clinic, Almonds help lower your cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clots, helping you maintain a healthy heart.
A consistent intake of cinnamon can help fight off infection and even reduce the risk of diabetes.
Black tea is an excellent source of antioxidants that help fight the aging process and a wide variety of diseases. It is also known to lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. By keeping blood vessels soft and lowering blood pressure, this tea can help prevent heart disease and strokes.
Preparation
Use 1 to 2 heaping teaspoons of Almond Butter cinnamon tea for each cup of boiling mineral water and steep for 3 to 4 minutes. The best flavor is when the cup cools for about 5 minutes before enjoying.
Lapsang Souchong
From the Wuyi region of the Fujian province of China, is the single malt scotch and fine cigar lovers of this Black Tea. 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.
Health Benefits
Black tea is known for its amazing health benefits. It contains theaflavins and thearubigins which are known to reduce the signs of aging and reduce stress. It is also known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and even Parkinson’s Disease.
Preparation
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.
Yunnan Golden Buds
Black tea, or Dian hong, is also known as ‘Yunnan Pure Gold‘ in China as it is considered the very finest of Dian hong tea. It contains only pure golden tips, covered in ‘tea down.’ What separates our Yunnan tea from the crowd is the high amount of fine leaf buds or “golden tips.”
Health Benefits
Black tea is known for its amazing health benefits. It contains theaflavins and thearubigins which are known to reduce the signs of aging and reduce stress. It is also known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and even Parkinson’s Disease.
Preparation
Use 1 heaping teaspoon of Golden Buds per cup. Let your mineral or filtered water come down just below a full boil before steeping from 2 to 3 minutes. Some tea connoisseurs will say a tea this fine should only drink out of Yixing clay, or Chinese traditional cups. We usually have ours in regular teacups and even infuse the leaves more than once. You sometimes get the best flavor on the second infusion.
Golden Monkey Paw
Organic Golden Monkey Paw is a USDA certified organic, black tea made from the very young leaves and the bud of new season growth. It originates from the Wuyi Mountains 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.
Health Benefits
Black tea is known for its amazing health benefits. It contains theaflavins and thearubigins which are known to reduce the signs of aging and reduce stress. It is also known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and even Parkinson’s Disease.
Preparation
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.
Darjeeling
Darjeeling, also known as the champagne of teas. Darjeeling is grown at the Seeyok Tea Estate in the Mirik Valley of Darjeeling, India. This USDA organic certified Darjeeling is a fair trade tea and is the best loose leaf Darjeeling on the market. Seeyok Darjeeling has a natural aroma of fruit and muscat for those who love dessert wine.
Health Benefits
Black tea is an excellent source of antioxidants that help fight the aging process and a wide variety of diseases. It is also known to lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. By keeping blood vessels soft and lowering blood pressure, this tea can help prevent heart disease and strokes.
Preparation
Use 1 level tablespoon of Darjeeling per cup of mineral or filtered water at a full boil and steep for 3 minutes.
Vanilla Creme Earl Grey
Delicious Vanilla Tea as a twist on a classic. This is started by creating a fantastic loose leaf Earl Grey with a blend of Assam, Ceylon and Nilgiri teas seasoned with the oil of bergamot. Next, added are bits of vanilla bean and cornflower petals to round it off and bring you Vanilla Creme Earl Grey.
Health Benefits
Black tea is an excellent source of antioxidants that help fight the aging process and a wide variety of diseases. It is also known to lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. By keeping blood vessels soft and lowering blood pressure, this tea can help prevent heart disease and strokes.
Preparation
Use 1 level tablespoon per cup of boiling filtered water and steep for 3 minutes. Throw in some steamed milk and rock sugar to make it a dessert.
Apricot Chai
Apricot Chai starts with fine, full-leaf black tea and adds real peach and apricot preserves. Both peaches and apricots are used in Japan, Australia and other regions around the globe as a symbol of fertility and to bring out the youthfulness of women. Next, a handful of vanilla bean bits are mix in. Vanilla is drunk in Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela to increase sexual vigor.
To really take this passion potion to the next level, ginger slices and whole cloves are blended in which are known in Arabic nations, Kenya and the French to increase circulation and even bring on a “state of submission.” Finally, to top this all off are a few citrus peels to round off the flavor and add to the alluring aroma. If you are truly daring and enjoy a little sweet in your life, add a touch of local honey as even Marcus Aurelius did this daily to maintain his stamina. The result is delicious!
Health Benefits
Peaches and Apricots are rich in fiber, vitamin A and high in antioxidants.
Ginger helps with the digestive system by eliminating intestinal gas and helps reduce inflammation of the joints caused by arthritis.
Cloves contain eugenol which helps remove toxins from the digestive tract and serves as a mild anesthetic.
Black tea and Vanilla are excellent sources of antioxidants that help fight the aging process and a wide variety of diseases. It is also known to lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. By keeping blood vessels soft and lowering blood pressure, this tea can help prevent heart disease and strokes.
Preparation
Use 1-2 teaspoons of Apricot Chai for each cup of just under boiling mineral water for 2 minutes.