Types of black tea

Black tea is very popular in the UK! Therefore, Bedford tea continues this wonderful traditions and offers the best types of black tea. Our tea is delivered all over the UK. Feel free to discover different types of black tea!

Black tea is a fully oxidised tea. Most of it comes from Kenya, as well as many Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, China and India. Some black tea types, such as Orange Pekoe tea, Pu Erh tea or Assam Loose Leaf Tea remain in their permanent state.

 

However, many other black teas are so-called “flavoured teas”, i.e. they form a combination of different teas, or contain other elements. Such teas are Loose Leaf Earl Grey tea, Russian Caravan tea, Organic Loose Leaf English Breakfast tea, etc.

 

Let us discover the most important types of black tea that remain in their permanent state. On the other hand, should you wish to learn more about flavoured black teas – here is our article entitled Flavoured Black Tea types! 

Types of Assam Loose Leaf Tea black tea

Assam Loose Leaf tea comes from India and owes its name to the province of its production, Assam. The name of the plant, whose leaves are used for the production of this tea, is also ‘camellia assamica’. Assam is one of the world’s most famous black teas. Tea lovers greatly appreciate it for its body, briskness, distinguishable flavour and strong, bright colour. 

 

There are two harvesting seasons for Assam: the first flush season and the second flush season. The former starts in April, while the latter takes place from late May to early June. The second flush Assam is very popular with tea connoisseurs for its golden tips that appear on the leaves.  

Fine Darjeeling tea

Another tea coming from India, Darjeeling tea too is world-famous. What is more, like Assam, it owes its name to the region of its production, the Darjeeling province. This tea boasts a very delicate taste and fine quality. For these reasons it has the reputation of being ‘the champagne of teas’.

 

There are three harvesting periods for Darjeeling tea: the first flush, the second flush and the autumnal flush. The first flush season starts in late March. As for the second flush; it happens in late May / early June. Finally, the autumnal flush takes place in October / November.

 

There is a very famous type of Darjeeling tea, ‘Margaret’s Hope’ First flush Darjeeling Tea. Please click here to learn more about the history of its name and its production process.

Pu Erh tea

 

Strictly speaking, Pu Erh tea is not a classic black tea. You might wonder why. Well, black tea is a fermented tea, while Pu Erh tea is a post-fermented tea. This means that the fermentation process can take several years for Pu Erh tea as opposed to several hours for black tea. However, the rest of the production process is similar to that of other types of black tea. Therefore, it can be considered as a black tea.

 

Pu Erh tea owes its name to the town of its production in China’s Yunnan province. This tea contains microorganisms with probiotic properties. That is why it is very beneficial for your health. It aids digestion and promotes a healthy immune system. What is more, it is very good for weight loss. Therefore, enjoy your Pu Erh tea and get a pleasant surprise on your scales! 

 

However, in addition to being very good for your figure, Pu Erh tea is one of the healthiest types of black tea in general. Would you like to learn more about that? Then feel free to discover our article on 10 Pu Erh Tea Benefits.

 

Pu Erh tea exists in the form of loose leaf Pu Erh tea and Pu Erh Tuocha tea. 

Ceylon tea. Orange Pekoe tea

This tea originates from Ceylon. It owes its name “Orange Pekoe tea” to the bright orange colour of the unbroken leaves in the finished tea. The “Orange Pekoe” tea leaves grow at high altitudes, which gives it a very fine refreshing flavour. Its liquour is considerably lighter than other Sri Lankan teas, so it is better to drink it black. However, if brewed strong, a splash of milk may also be an option. 

Yunnan tea

Yunnan tea is a black tea that owes its name to the tea-growing province of Yunnan in southwestern China. It has rich peppery flavours and is popular with those who like strong brews. Even its colour, when brewed, is a deep reddened brown and is darker than that of most teas.  Its strong malty flavour bears a resemblance to the classic Assam. However, the particular feature of Yunnan is its fruity and smoky taste. This type of black tea is excellent with or without milk.

Keemun tea

The name of this type of black tea derives from the Qimen or “Keemun” region of China’s Anhui Province. First of all, Keemun tea is a rich and plummy tea known for the delicacy of its taste. On the other hand, a light fruity sweetness in its aroma adds refinement to its flavour. Its liquour is pale gold and, according to the Chinese, it has the flavour of an orchid. It is excellent with or without milk. 

Lapsang Souchong Loose Leaf Tea

Lapsang Souchong Loose Leaf Tea is a smoked black tea that originated in Fujian Province in China. This bracing large-leafed tea leaves no room for ambivalence! Because it tastes of wood smoke and has a tarry pungency.

 

It possibly owes its taste to the particular soil of Fujian Province. This sophisticated tea pours out as a clear bright colour. However, its fragrance reminds one of smoked salmon or grilled bacon. The taste of Lapsang Souchong is so rich that it would be better without milk.

Bedford tea offers you a range of world’s finest black teas! We deliver our tea all over the UK, so please feel free to discover our finest loose leaf tea!