Black Tea is the most consumed tea in the world. What sets black tea apart from others is how long it is left to oxidize. Because the leaves are fully oxidized it brews up a darker and fuller bodied cup. Depending on where and who cultivated the leaves, will determine the unique and complex flavors. As with green, white and oolong, black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. There are many benefits of black tea, especially for your health. Black tea is good for an extra burst of energy, as the caffeine in black tea is about 45mg per cup.
We take pride in our unique Black tea collection. Our Black Tea symbol is the Chinese character that means tea. With our black tea blends we make sure to use organic ingredients whenever possible. Our blends will excite your palate. Out of the 4 major tea varieties, black tea is the easiest to prepare. As a general suggestion we recommend a water temperature of just under boiling for 3-4 minutes.
The origins of black tea are in China. Since tea's discovery, China began perfecting every process of producing tea. Through their work they began to notice something happening to the tea leaves when they left them to ferment. This was not merely superficial, however. When they brewed this black tea, they discovered a new version of tea more powerful and potent than had been experienced before.
Thus was the birth of black tea, a drink with rich, potent flavor and striking color. Today, many countries produce black tea. India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and many others have discovered the delicious flavor and multitudinous benefits that black tea offers.
How it's Made
Black tea goes through a multi-stage process that includes withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying. Each stage has a hand in making black tea what it is. The first step in black tea creation is withering. Withering is crucial in allowing the leaves to lose moisture and become soft. The softened leaves are ideal for the next stage of rolling. Rolling uses machines to twist and press the leaves, letting their chemical souls break free from its cellular prison. The rolling process continues until the leaves are the desired size.
With withering and rolling finished, the fermentation process can begin. This critical stage is what separates black tea from any other teas. Fermentation creates potent flavor compounds and forms several healthy components of the tea. The tea leaves are left to ferment completely and assume the true form of black tea.
The perfectly fermented leaves finally end their journey by the drying process. Many methods may be employed, but all finish the creation of black tea.
Health Benefits
Black tea is sadly overshadowed by its highly-lauded cousin known as green tea. In reality, black tea has many different antioxidants and healthy compounds in it. Flavonoids are just one component of this melange of health. Studies have shown flavonoids can help lower the risk of heart disease.
Cancer-fighting compounds abound in this elixir. Polyphenols help to prevent bladder and prostate cancer while TF-2 wrests cancer's life away by causing cancerous cells to program their own death. These are only a few of black tea's helpful compounds.
Drinking a cup of black tea is an experience and a journey through rich, complex flavors. Trying the different types of black tea can create an appreciation for its genesis and numerous benefits.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
