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Posts Tagged ‘white tea’

Black tea has become a worldwide phenomenon. In cafes and coffeehouses, teahouses and trendy bistros, black tea has become a favorite beverage of tea drinkers around the globe. The uniqueness of black tea lies in the processing—a procedure that helps to give the beverage its magnificent flavor and consistency.

Black tea, like green tea and specialty white tea, is derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The primary difference between black tea and green tea lies in its fermentation. Through the fermentation procedure, tea leaves take on a red color, then turn black after they have been dried. In sharp contrast, green tea does not undergo fermentation, but instead is heat-treated, enabling it to maintain its distinctive green coloring.

At this point, it’s unclear why fermentation was begun. Perhaps it was created in order to preserve tea for substantial lengths of time. In any case, fermentation helps to give black tea its unique taste. Because of the variety of ways you can serve black tea, it is often highly favored over other forms of tea.

Black teas are generally classified according to their grading. For instance, Pekoe is a black tea that is derived from medium plucking of the second leaf of the tea bush. The term “Pekoe” comes from the Chinese word meaning “white hair.” The terminology refers to early pluckings, which evidence traces of white down. Meanwhile, Broken Orange Pekoe is a smaller leaf tea that has broken segments but a number of tips. In contrast, Broken Pekoe consists of broken portions of a coarse leaf sans tips.

Fannings consist of small grainy leaf particles which have been taken out of higher grade teas. In contrast, Flowery Orange Pekoe may consist of a whole leaf or broken leaf with a great deal of tip, causing it to have a particularly fine quality. Meanwhile, Flowery Pekoe is a black tea with a whole leaf that has been rolled lengthwise, while Orange Pekoe has a leaf ranging in size from eight to 15 millimeters with only a few tips.

The term “dust” refers to the smallest particle leaf size which is customarily utilized for tea bag teas. This is because they tend to reach full flavor and strength quite quickly. In order to be prepared for market, the graded tea leaf is placed into plywood chests which have been lined with aluminum paper.

Black tea may also be specially flavored or scented. These teas are often produced from standard-grade teas that have been accented with flowers, flavored oils, or flavored crystals. Interestingly enough, there can be incredible differences in teas according to the quality and the flavoring. Typically, teas that are derived from natural flavoring techniques create the most flavorful teas. some teas are so aromatic that they are reminiscent of perfume.

While the timing of pluckings can make a difference in terms of a tea’s consistency, it is the region in which it is harvested that often makes the biggest impact. For instance, Assam tea is grown in a region in northern India and is known for its full-bodied strength. Darjeeling, in northeast India, produces what’s often known as the champagne of teas. These teas are legendary for their scent and light flavoring.

Darjeeling tea can actually come in a variety of flavors, including flowery and nutty. Meanwhile, Keemum from China and Taiwan is frequently called the burgundy of teas, thanks to its sweet, rich, fruity flavor.

Lapsang Souchong, also from China and Taiwan, is known for its smokiness—a smokiness which comes from drying the tea leaves over a fire. It is often referred to as an evening tea because it tends to be low in caffeine. Meanwhile, Yunnan, derived from China’s Yunnan province, is full-bodied and slightly peppery in nature.

You may be curious about the differences between black tea and green tea. Both types of tea can have significant therapeutic benefits, but green tea is the older of the two and tends to have less caffeine. As a result, green tea might be considered generally more soothing than black tea, although there are varieties of black tea that are known for calming nerves.

Pluckings are only part of the story, when it comes to evaluating the merits of tea. However, early pluckings can be indicative of a superior variety. The more you drink black tea, the more you’ll come to appreciate its unique qualities. It is a beverage that can really grow on you and, with so many varieties to choose from, you may find that you’ll never get bored with it.

A growing body of research indicating its health benefits is also a key selling point. As a result, chances are good that black tea will continue to grow in popularity in the years ahead in localities around the globe.

If you’re a fan of black tea, you might have become accustomed to purchasing your favorite blends at a local specialty store, supermarket, or gourmet outlet.  However, thanks to the evolution of the Internet, you can now browse for black tea in the privacy of your own home.

Ordering black tea online is safe, convenient, and can also be quite cost-effective.

Main Advantages to Online Shopping

There are certainly numerous advantages to ordering black tea online.  For instance, chances are you’ll find a great deal more variety than you would at the corner market.  You can also do a great deal of comparison shopping on the Internet—as a result, you may be able to save quite a bit of money.  Online shopping can also be quicker than driving across town to the Indian market.

You may also find that it is easier to buy in large quantities on the World Wide Web.  Because the Internet is a visual medium, you’ll also be able to see an image of the product you’re buying, which can help you to avoid costly mistakes.

And, of course, most purchases are free from state sales tax so you save 5-7% on each purchase.

As Easy as Buying a DVD

If you’ve become accustomed to purchasing clothes, household goods, and DVDs online, it only makes sense that you would also buy your beverages online.   Buying black tea via the Internet can be particularly helpful when you have a dinner party planned and you’d like to impress your guests with a wide variety of teas.

Once you begin purchasing black tea online, chances are you will make it a habit.

You’ll come to appreciate the convenience—and buying via the Internet can also be more entertaining than waiting in a long line at the grocery store.  It is certainly not an exaggeration to say that buying tea products online appears to be the wave of the future.

The Chance to Browse

The Internet allows you the golden opportunity to browse through the wide varieties of black teas that are now available.  In fact, you might be quite surprised at the array of tea blends that you can purchase.  For instance, for a truly exotic blend, consider Darjeeling tea.  This loose-leaf tea combines hints of fruit, nuts, and flowers.  You can purchase it in a three-ounce tin or in a one-pound bulk order.

Considered one of the world’s finest teas, Darjeeling is well worth the investment.

As an alternative, you might consider French Breakfast tea, which is derived from the mountainous Ceylon region.  This smooth tea boasts a honey-like taste, which makes it appropriate for breakfast or any time when you’re in the mood for a subtle black tea.

If you’re interested in a smoky, large-leaf tea, why not try Lapsang Souchong?  Smoked over pine embers in Eastern China, this tea is rich in taste and aromatic in scent.   It’s the type of exotic tea that you can savor when relaxing at home or when entertaining friends.

Web-Based Specialties

When ordering black tea online, you can also take advantage of numerous Web-based specials.  These are the types of deals you are not likely to find at your local grocery store or specialty shop.  As a result of these specials, you may be able to purchase an especially exotic tea at a fraction of the cost you’d pay otherwise.

What to Look For

If you choose to order black tea over the Internet, there are a few important things you should keep in mind.  To begin with, you should look for tea that is derived from hand-plucked leaves, indicating that it is of the finesse quality.  You’ll want tea that is of superior quality, the result of orthodox manufacturing processes.

You’ll also want to look for tea varieties that offer a fine aroma, breathtaking color, enhanced clarity, a bold body, and enticing flavor.  You’ll want tea that is derived from the Camellia sinensis bush—tea that offers great quality in every cup.

Take Your Time

If you’d like to order black tea online, you should consider taking your time rather than rushing through the process.  You’ll want to allow yourself the opportunity to browse through various products in a relaxed, low-pressure atmosphere.  You’ll want to take the time necessary to survey the various varieties that are available so that you can make an intelligent choice.

You also need to realize that tea-shopping is an acquired art.  Chances are you’ll need to sample a number of different teas before you can find the one that appeals most to your taste buds.  However, it’s also likely that you’ll derive a great deal of enjoyment out of sampling various tea blends.

The more you experiment, the more you’ll come to appreciate the many fine qualities of black tea.   It’s the type of beverage that’s not only soothing—it’s also a healthy alternative to other drinks.

Black tea is certainly one of the most intriguing beverages on the market today. It comes in a variety of forms and flavors, making it popular among a diverse cross-section of people. In addition, researchers now believe that black tea may have medicinal qualities—a finding which has increased its stature among health-conscious consumers.

It’s important to note that the taste and consistency of black tea can vary greatly from country to country and from region to region. You may have heard, for instance, about both Indian and Ceylon black tea varieties. As a result, you may be wondering about the differences between the two—and about which one is right for you.

Fast Facts About India Black Tea

If you pick up a box of black tea from India, chances are that it was derived from the Assam Province. That’s because about half of all the tea in India is grown in this area. For the most part, it comes from the Brahmaputra Valley, which is known for both its hills and its rain. The province is in the northeastern part of the nation and borders on Bangladesh, Burma, and China.

The province is peopled by immigrants from Nepal and Bangladesh, for the most part. Black tea grown in this area tends to have a malt-like flavor and is best served with milk.
You can also find tea in Darjeeling, which is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the northern part of the country. In fact, the Indian tea business actually started here in the middle of the 19th century. The Darjeeling Puttabong version of the tea is considered to be light, with a slightly flowery taste.

Fast Facts About Ceylon Black Tea

Ceylon is definitely considered to be one of the most popular teas around the globe. The black pekoe version has its leaves fermented prior to drying. Thanks to the unique drying process involved, essential oils are preserved which provide the tea with its unforgettable taste. Although the tea originated in Ceylon, it is now grown in India and China.

The aroma of the tea is similar to that of citrus, although its taste may vary from region to region. Popularized by James Taylor, Ceylon tea rose to 22,900 tons by 1890, from a mere 23 pounds between the years 1873 and 1880.

It should be pointed out that there are half a dozen tea production areas in Sri Lanka. There’s Dimbulla, which is west of the central mountains; Galle in the southern part of the nation; Kandy, which is located near the ancient royal capital; Nuwara Eliya, which is the highest altitude area; Ratnapurea, located east of the Colombo capital; and Uva, which is east of Dimbulla.

Numerous Varieties to Choose From

You should be aware that there are numerous varieties of Ceylon black tea from which to choose. For instance, there’s Dimbulla and Dickoya tea, which is cultivated at a level of 3,500 feet or higher; the Kandy variety, which is a district tea grown at a level of 2,500 feet or more; the Morawak Korale tea, a district tea grown at 2,500 feet; Nuwara Eliya, which is grown at an extremely high altitude of 6,000 feet or more; and Uva, a district tea which is cultivated at 2,800 feet or more.

Things to Know About Black Tea

What you may not realize is that black tea is derived from an evergreen perennial shrub known as Camellia sinensis. In fact, black tea is actually derived from the same plant as green tea and oolong tea are. It apparently originated in China about 5,000 years ago.

Because of its presence of caffeine, black tea can stimulate the central nervous system and the heart, while increasing the output of urine from the kidneys because of its diuretic nature.

A typical cup of black tea possesses 50 milligrams of caffeine. Other components of black tea include polyphenols, tannin, trace elements, and vitamins.

The tea plant can grow as high as 40 feet, but it is typically maintained at two to three feet. The various varieties of black tea are determined by the region or district in which they’re grown, the form, and the processing method. It was introduced to the West in the 6th century. The fad caught on and by the 18th century, tea was a beverage of choice in England. In fact, each day at 5 p.m., chances are you’ll find legions of Britons sipping a spot of tea.

Summing it All Up

Whether from India or Ceylon, black tea can be a powerful antidote to what ails you. Medical research suggests that the beverage contains significant medicinal properties. Therefore, not only is black tea quite tasty, it can also be considered a beverage which can enhance your health.