Black Tea

Black Tea is produced in many places and most prolifically in China, Africa and India. Black Teas is often used to make iced tea. Generally Black Tea has a robust flavor and is often served with milk and sugar.

The processing of black tea is what turns the naturally bright green tea leafs brown. This process basically consists of cutting or crushing the tea leaf and then letting it dry to turn brown, or black. Just like a leaf in your yard, this process happens quickly once the leaf is picked from the plant. The proper term for this process is oxidation, but some may refer to this as fermentation.

Once the tea is oxidized to the proper level it may be heat dried to stop the process and should be packaged quickly to help preserve the flavors.