When people talk generally of tea in Western culture, they’re often referring to black tea. Sun tea, sweet tea, iced tea, afternoon tea…these well-known categories of tea are typically made using black tea.
Even the popular English Breakfast and Earl Grey blends are made from black tea leaves.
How is Black Tea Made
Orthodox: In this more time-consuming method of production, tea leaves remain whole or only partially broken during processing. Tea leaves are plucked from the garden, withered to reduce moisture, rolled in a variety of ways to bruise the leaves and start oxidation, oxidized to create color and flavor, fired to apply the heat that stops oxidation, and then graded for quality.
Non-Orthodox or CTC (Crush-Tear-Curl): In this sped-up version of the production process, the tea leaves are cut into fine pieces instead of rolled. The smaller pieces of leaves are more quickly oxidized, producing a one-dimensional, consistent, strong and bold black tea. The cut pieces also easily fit into commercial tea bags, which are more popular with end consumers than loose leaf tea.
Black Tea Processing (Orthodox): Withering → 1st Rolling → Oxidizing/Fermenting → Drying (110°C/65°C)
Black Tea Processing (Non-Orthodox/CTC): Withering →Cutting/Tearing/Curling → Oxidizing/Fermenting → Drying (130°C/90°C)
Our black tea is rolled immediately after withering to help get the oxidation processes started quickly. The leaves are then fully oxidized before they are dried, which is how they get their dark color and rich flavor.
Different types of black tea are grown and produced around the world. Each one has a color, flavor, and aroma that are unique to the region from which the tea originates. The characteristics of a tea depend on the climate, soil, and altitude at which the tea plants are grown. At meanwhile, black tea brewing is also more important.
1.Bring fresh, filtered water to a boil (212 )
2.Preheat your vessels with boiling water, then discard the water. You can do this by pouring water into a teapot, and then pouring water from the teapot into your cups.
3.Measure your tea leaves. We recommend using 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea for every 8-10 ounces of water.
4.Place your leaves in the teapot and pour 8-10 ounces of water directly over the leaves.
5.Allow the leaves to steep for 5 minutes. Feel free to use our timer here.
6.After 5 minutes, place a basket strainer over your cup and pour the tea so that any leaves will be caught by the strainer.
7.Serve the contents of the teapot and enjoy. Note: do not allow the tea leaves in your teapot to continue to steep.*
How to Drink Pu Erh Tea for Weight Loss
Pu-erh tea is one of the favorites in the weight loss tea category because it has a number of properties that will help you lose weight more quickly and effectively.
Tea with Caffeine
Caffeine occurs naturally in tea. A mild stimulant, it accounts for tea’s reputation as a beverage that clears the mind and lifts the spirit.
Chinese Black Tea Benefits
Chinese black tea is often confused with red tea because black tea in America is something completely different. Chinese black tea can also be called fermented tea or more commonly known as dark tea.
