Black Tea is the World Favorite

There's nothing like a relaxing cup of tea. If you enjoy a cup of hot tea or tall glass of iced tea chances are you are enjoying black tea. Of the four varieties of tea, black tea is the worldwide favorite and accounts for nearly 90% of the tea consumed in the U.S.

All tea originates form the same perennial evergreen shrub, Camellia sinensis. Black tea offers more variations over the other three types of tea: green, oolong and white. Different processing methods account for the biggest differences between these types.

Black tea is the cheapest type of tea to produce despite having the most intensive processing. During processing, black tea is withered, fully oxidized and dried resulting in a hearty amber colored brew.

There are many different varieties of black tea. A few of the most popular varieties are:

~ Darjeeling-full bodied but with a light flavor and a slightly flowery aroma, often called the champagne of teas. It is named after the mountainous region in India where it is grown.

~ Assam-an Indian tea with a rich, dark, malty flavor. Very popular in India, it is very full bodied with a hint of spice.

~ Ceylon or Sri Lanka-grown in Sri Lanka, it is a rich, dark tea. It is usually served with milk as an afternoon tea.

~Earl Grey-light tea with a fruity flavor. Earl Grey is named for the English prime minister who is best remembered for the tea named after him.

~English Breakfast-medium classic tea served, as the name suggests, at breakfast.

~Keemum-said to be the finest of all Chinese black teas. It is very smooth and aromatic.

~Lapsang Souchong-a black tea from China with a strong smoky flavor.

~Irish Breakfast-similar blend to English Breakfast but very strong.

~Caravan-this blend of Chinese and Indian Black teas originated in Russia.

~Orange Pekoe-A fine grade of medium tea with a woodsy aroma and sweet flavor with a hint of bitterness.

Black tea is produced in Sri Lanka, India and China. India produces most of the world's crop of commercial Black tea. The warm tropical climate, high humidity, abundant rain and mountainous regions provide perfect growing conditions for Camellia sinensis.

Black tea is good for you! Components of tea include flavonoids, antioxidants, caffeine and vitamins. Black tea has about half the caffeine of coffee. It offers many of the same health benefits as green tea. Black tea has been linked to a number of health benefits including prevention of stroke and heart disease, cancer prevention, and a lessened risk of diabetes. There is much research being done on the benefits of tea.

Sources:

http://www.the-color-of-tea.com/black-tea.html

http://www.teamuseum.org/tea.php#top