What are the different types of black tea?
Take a minute and imagine a freshly brewed cup of tea.
What was the colour of the liquor in the cup of tea? Chances are high that you just imagined a cup of fresh black tea! This may not sound extremely surprising as the tea industry is closely associated with black tea – its robust flavour, aroma and darker hue when it is freshly made is the face of the tea industry.
However, not all black tea varieties are the same. There are a few similarities, but the flavours, aromas and other properties largely vary from one type to another.
Among the varieties are 4 main grades of black tea, that considers the flush, leaf size and the method of processing:
- Orange Pekoe (OP)
- Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP)
- Fannings
- Dustings
Additionally, to tea grades, black tea is further identified by its origin. While black tea is cultivated in many parts of the world, the types listed below have gained the most fame and are highly favoured by tea drinkers everywhere:
- Lapsang Souchong
Historians have evidence to believe that Lapsang Souchong was the earliest type of black tea. As a result, it holds a prominent value among the rest of the black tea varieties.
Premium Ceylon Black Tea has always been one of the best in black tea varieties due to the premium quality in flavour, aroma and natural properties present. Ceylon black tea, generally, has always been one of the most favoured brews in international and local markets. It is used in several infusions and to create tea-inspired culinary masterpieces.
- Assam Tea
This variety hails from the Assam region in India and has a rich history spanning centuries.
- Darjeeling Tea
The flavours of Darjeeling tea vary based on the flush it belongs to. However, it is recognised as a superior-tasting tea by tea connoisseurs globally.
- Kenyan black tea
Kenya is fast becoming one of the leading tea producers. Their black tea has a robust flavour complimented by undertones of citrus, anise and cardamom.
