Thés & Traditions
French tea house since 2016
Born by chance in the hold of a ship, black tea has conquered the planet. Through rigorous manufacturing, tea leaves are oxidized to create a unique beverage. From Darjeeling to Assam, organic black teas develop numerous taste profiles. When properly prepared, their health benefits are numerous. Journey to the heart of Asia to discover the secrets of black tea.
Discover our black teas
According to legend, the discovery of black tea was accidental. A shipment of green tea leaving China for England oxidized during the ocean crossing. Upon arrival at its destination, the tea had turned black. Initially surprised by the strange appearance of the tea leaves, the English eventually came to prefer them to the original green teas. Today, black tea, whether from Ceylon or Darjeeling, is central to the traditional "cup of tea" enjoyed at breakfast or tea time.
The production of black tea involves oxidizing the leaves to modify their taste and color. The list of nutritional compounds is also altered. However, black tea does not refer to the same beverage in all latitudes.
Black tea as we know it here is called "red tea" in China. However, in the West, red tea is rooibos infusion. For the Chinese, black tea is doubly fermented oolong. It is a rare and luxurious variety of tea. On the other hand, in India, the name of the tea is the one used by the English.
Since the 19th century, the oxidation methods for plain black tea have hardly changed. They modify the flavor and color of the tea. The two main methods are the orthodox method and the CTC method.
The orthodox method is the most used and the most natural. It consists of letting the tea dry in the open air to lose half of its water content. Then, the tea leaves are rolled and placed in a warm and humid atmosphere.
When the leaves have oxidized sufficiently, they are dehydrated. The green tea has become black tea. The leaves are crushed and sold loose or in bags. Each tea variety adapts this process to its leaves. It's the oxidation method that best preserves the "health" benefits of the drink.
The CTC method is faster. It involves withering the leaves, crushing and tearing them before drying them in a mechanical barrel. The process has therefore lost the natural and artisanal aspect of the product.
This method alters the quality of the leaves. The aromatic notes are less pronounced and the health benefits are partially lost.
Beyond the traditional "cup of tea" of the British "breakfast", there are many black tea recipes. A world tour of organic black tea.
China is, unsurprisingly, a major producer of white, green, and black tea. Even if it's customary there to drink tea with lemon, it offers many varieties that pair well with the English splash of milk.
The most common Chinese black teas are:
Oxidized teas from India are the most consumed around the world. Their characteristic taste sometimes unites them in a gift box for delicate palates.
The most renowned Indian black teas are:
While Ceylon black tea is often associated with India, it actually originates from Sri Lanka. It remains an exceptional black tea to order in a gift box dedicated to the taste buds.
Beyond the traditional Darjeeling, Ceylon and other oolong, there are other excellent oxidized teas. Their list is long and their origins very diverse.
World tour of the best "cup of tea":
These varieties of teas are generally not available in bags. But you can easily order them in bulk, in a box.
Flavored organic black tea with spices or fruits is increasingly appreciated. It offers a new flavor to those who don't like the bitterness of plain black tea.
The most well-known organic teas flavored with fruits or spices are:
However, the list of flavored teas is endless since you can create your own recipes. With Ceylon or Darjeeling black tea, spices and fruit peels allow you to compose your own version of Earl Grey. Christmas black tea can also be produced according to your desires with, for example, lemon notes.
There's no need to rush to India or China to order black tea, but some precautions should be followed to obtain a quality beverage. Focus on the method of steeping black tea. The goal is to enhance the taste while preserving the health benefits.
Whether from Ceylon or Darjeeling, the aromas of organic black tea are delicate. The traditional method consists of preserving them by "warming" the teapot and cup before preparation. To do this, you put hot water inside and let it warm up. Once this is done, you prepare your organic black tea infusion.
Steeping times are not trivial details. Indeed, this is when the water becomes flavored. Too short an infusion prevents the development of taste profiles. Too long, the infusion brings too much bitterness to the drink and overwhelms its fragrant roundness.
Generally, organic oxidized teas steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Fans of dark teas sometimes extend the duration up to 7 minutes. Organic flavored teas like Earl Grey sometimes only steep for 2 minutes to avoid overpowering the aromatic notes of spices or fruits.
For a successful black tea, never boil the leaves. This deteriorates the taste and antioxidants. The tea then loses its health benefits. Water between 80°C and 90°C is perfect.
The recommended dosage is half a teaspoon of loose black tea per cup. This corresponds to 2.5 g, which is the weight of a tea bag. However, it's better to order loose tea, as professionals say its aromas are richer.
Black tea, especially organic, has many health benefits. According to experts, currently available information allows associating black tea with better overall health.
Black tea is associated with the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Its richness in antioxidants would reduce the risk of heart attacks. At the same time, these same compounds would improve circulation. Catechins are significantly more present in loose tea. The use of lemon as an accompaniment to black tea reinforces its effect.
According to scientists, black tea would also be protective in the fight against cancer. Available information highlights this in the context of prostate cancer and breast cancer. In this case, organic tea is to be preferred.
The list of black tea benefits is still long. Indeed, black tea, whether it's Darjeeling, Assam, Ceylon, or oolong, seems to play a role in protecting against osteoporosis, cavities, or even depression. It would also be beneficial in the case of certain digestive disorders and migraines.
MENU