Black Tea - Information

BLACK TEA. The process of making the most popular of our teas involves withering, rolling, oxidising and drying the leaves. Black Teas produce a strong full infusion with an amber coloured dark rich red liquor. You can buy black tea online with the help of our Tea Guide

For information on all the different grades of tea our TEA TERMINOLOGY pages will give you a guide.

In the UK the most common tea drunk is black tea. Most 80 Tea Bag products you see in the shops are based upon Black Tea. Traditionaly gives a strong brew and is used to create famous teas such as English Breakfast Tea, Afternoon Teas and of course the world famous Pluckley Tea .

Indian Tea

India has been growing tea for over a century and the main tea growing districts are as follow. Assam Teas are grown in the state of Assam in the North East corner of India to the north of Bangladesh. Assam is a great river valley of the Bramaputra river which is one of the main tributaries of the Ganges. At times the river is so wide you cannot see the other side and it can be very dangerous. As a boy I can remember standing in the shallows of the river fishing when a water buffalo thought I was easy game. A chase ensued and I was saved by my bearer..... but that is a long story. The tea estates lie either side of the river and help create a natural rich environment great for sustaining the tea estates.

To the West you have Darjeeling renown for producing some of the worlds finest teas and for a long time the teas have had the title " The Champagne of Teas ". The area lies high up in the foothills of the Himalayas underneath the glare of the high mountains such as Kanchanjungha and K2 . The best teas produced are the 1st Flush Teas and over the years we have won many Gold Awards at the Great Taste Awards for our 1st Flush offerings.

Finally to the South of India we have Nilgiri Tea from the Nilgiri Hills, not as strong and malty as the Assam Teas but wonderful all the same.

Nepal Tea

Nepalese Teas are becoming increasingly popular with the main tea growing district being Illam. This borders Darjeeling and produces teas in the style of Darjeeling. As the soils have been less cultivated historically we are seeing some excellent teas. Gurkha Tea as a retail pack will soon be available.

Sikkim Tea

Sikkim lies to the north east of Darjeeling and similarly produces some excellent rare high grown teas.

Kenya Tea

Kenya in Africa is the continents main grower of both tea and coffee. The best tea estates are overseen by the KTDA The Kenya Tea Development Agency, this ensures great quality tea and high standards for farmers. The majority of Kenya Teas are black teas produced for the tea bag market. One exception to this is the Milima Tea Estate which produces some high quality orthodox loose leaf tea.

Ceylon Tea

Ceylon Tea from what is today called Sri Lanka. Very distinctive black tea from what is termed " The Island of Tea ". The main tea growing districts are : Dimbula, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.

China Tea

The vast country of China produces a wonderful array of different teas and the most famous black teas they grow include : Lapsang Souchong's , Keemuns, Yunnan's, Puerh's and Ching Wo.

Buy Tea Online for great teas packed to order and delivered to your door !