People have consumed tea for more than 5,000 years—the second most commonly taken beverage in the world, after water. All types of tea are drinks that positively affect the body and/or help treat illnesses. The most popular tea in the world—black tea—shares these beneficial properties. Black tea—whether loose-leaf or in bags—can probably be found in almost every home. And you can buy it at any grocery store. But do we actually know what lies behind this name? And what features include black tea benefits?
How Black Tea Is Made?
What we call “black tea” in the West is known in China as “red tea.” In the Western world, the term refers to tea with a strong flavor, a dark color (ranging from deep cherry to black), and a high tannin content. Black tea, like the other three main types of tea (green, oolong, and white), is made from the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis, which are processed in different ways.
The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) belongs to the family Theaceae and the genus Camellia. The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up to 2 meters tall. It blooms with small white flowers that have five petals. The most important part of the tea plant is its leaves—dark green, lance-shaped, with serrated edges, and somewhat similar in shape to bay leaves. The tea plant originates from southern Asia, but today, humans cultivate it in many regions with tropical and subtropical climates.
From April to November, people harvest the tips of young tea shoots with two to three leaves. Then, they laid the raw leaves out on specialized racks and left them to soften. Then, they are fermented, and the plantation workers scent the tea leaves with jasmine, bergamot, citrus, or other aromas during this stage. When the fermented leaves develop their characteristic fragrance and dark reddish color, they are dried.
This is how black tea is born!
How to Store Dark Tea?
Experts recommend storing tea leaves in a glass or porcelain container that is airtight and kept in a dry, dark place. Tea leaves absorb surrounding odors, so they would change their flavor in an unsealed container. You can store black tea for a long time, although its caffeine content naturally decreases.
A Brief History of Black Tea
As early as 3000 BCE, the Chinese were compiling encyclopedias in which the tea plant was described as a medicinal herb. Ancient travelers and merchants who journeyed through East and South Asia also wrote about the beverage made from tea leaves. Tea was first brought to Mongolia from China and spread throughout Central Asia. In the ancient Eastern world, tea was used as a barter of exchange in trade. In fact, tea was still being used as currency in Mongolia, Tibet, and the Siberian region as late as the 19th century.
The history of tea in Europe begins in the 16th century. It arrived via Portuguese colonies in East Asia. By the 18th century, tea had spread across all European countries. It became especially popular in England, where black tea became an integral aristocratic culture. The British even established tea plantations in their Asian colonies to ensure a constant supply of raw tea for the domestic market.
In the 19th century, black tea became so popular in England that one of its variations, flavored with bergamot oil, was named after the British Prime Minister Charles Grey, known as Earl Grey. This blend of black tea and bergamot is traditionally associated with English tea culture, though it originates from the Southeast Asian region. Today, Earl Grey is the most recognized name of black tea in Europe and the world.
The Content of Dark Tea
Scientists established that black tea contains more caffeine than other types of tea. One cup of strong black tea may contain between 0.02 and 0.1 grams of caffeine. For this reason, black tea is an excellent alternative to coffee or energy drinks. However, its energizing effect and comparison to coffee are not the only benefits of black tea.
Black tea contains unique antioxidants called polyphenols, which you would not find in any other type of tea. These include theaflavins—the product formed during the fermentation process. Tea leaves contain tannins, astringent compounds, alkaloids (such as caffeine), essential oils, vitamins, and minerals. When consumed daily, black tea can strengthen particular systems in the body and help prevent some illnesses.
Black Tea Benefits
- The tannins in black tea—particularly catechins—enhance the absorption of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), helping to strengthen capillaries and reduce the permeability of their walls.
- The antioxidant theaflavin helps lower blood cholesterol levels, while flavonoids significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Tannins in black tea also have a detoxifying effect, binding harmful substances and supporting a healthy digestive system.
- Dark tea compresses can soothe sunburned skin.
Scientific studies have shown that drinking at least two cups of black tea may reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases by nearly 13%.
Researchers are also studying black tea’s potential in cancer prevention. Early results suggest black tea may help prevent skin and oral cancers. There is also promising evidence for its potential role in preventing other types of cancer, such as breast cancer.
The Traditional Way to Prepare Dark Tea
You may prepare black tea in a “quick” or a “classic” way. The classic method links closely to Eastern traditions and requires specific tools. The quick method involves simply steeping tea in a cup—a simple and familiar way for most people to enjoy a fragrant cup of tea.
You need three things for the classic preparation method: loose-leaf tea, water, and a specific teapot—ideally made of porcelain. The ideal ratio is about 0.5 teaspoons of tea leaves per cup of water, though you can adjust it depending on how strong you want the tea to be.
In the teapot, brew a concentrated tea infusion, then pour into cups after about 5 minutes and dilute with hot water. You can re-steep once more the leftover tea concentrate in the teapot. The resulting tea retains much of the original flavor and benefits, though its aroma will be slightly milder.
Quick Preparation of Black Tea
A quick method of preparing black tea follows these instructions: place tea leaves into a teapot and cover them with a small amount of cold water. Leave the mixture to stand for a few minutes and then heat it without bringing it to a boil. Afterward, top the decoction with hot water and pour it into cups.
A cup and boiling water are all you need for the quick preparation. Add 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of tea leaves to the cup, pour in boiling water, cover the cup with a small plate or lid, and let it steep for 3–5 minutes.
Dark Tea Flavors
People can flavor black tea with all kinds of additions. You may serve it hot or cold, and it is often used as a base for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Around the world, there are likely hundreds of variations and recipes involving black tea.
The most common additions to this tea are lemon, honey, milk, or cream. However, you can prepare this tea with almost anything—it all depends on personal taste and creativity. Here are some ideas:
- Fruits—orange, grapefruit, etc.
- Berries—dried cherries, blackcurrants, blueberries, and so on.
- Spices—anise, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla
- For a creamy texture—cow’s milk, plant-based milk, vanilla ice cream, ghee, coconut oil
- For sweetness—caramel, chocolate, etc.
- Fermented drinks—black tea is the base for kombucha, made using a tea fungus.
- Bubble tea—this tea is a common base of bubble tea with tapioca pearls.
Black Tea Syrup
You may enhance black tea with many different ingredients. Likewise, you can upgrade many foods and drinks with this tea. One brilliant example is black tea syrup, which you can easily make at home.
Ingredients:
- A cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of black tea leaves or 4 tea bags
- 1 cup of sugar
Instructions: Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Switch off the heat, add the tea, cover, and let it steep for 5 minutes. Then, strain the tea, return the liquid to the pan, add the sugar, and stir over low heat until the syrup thickens and becomes sticky (about 12 minutes). Pour the finished syrup into a clean, airtight container (such as a sealed bottle or jar). Store in the refrigerator and use within 6 months.
You can flavor various beverages and dishes with this black tea syrup. For example:
- Cold drinks—add 1 teaspoon to soda water, punch, or lemonade.
- Hot beverages—add 1 teaspoon to lattes or hot tea.
- Desserts—drizzle over fruit salads, ice cream, or mix into milkshakes and smoothies.
- Pastries—pour over pancakes, cakes, and more.
Possible Side Effects of Black Tea
Health specialists generally consider dark tea a safe product for adults. The recommended daily intake is 2–3 cups. However, consuming excessive amounts of tea daily (4–5 cups or more) can lead to health issues related to caffeine overconsumption, including:
- anxiety and sleep disturbances,
- rapid breathing,
- headaches,
- frequent urination,
- irregular heart rhythm,
- ringing in the ears (tinnitus),
- tremors,
- elevated blood pressure.
You should not consume black tea alongside other caffeine-containing products. Due to its caffeine content, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and young children should limit the intake of black tea.
Sources:
- https://www.uclahealth.org/news/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-black-tea
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6512146/
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/black-tea-uses-and-risks
- https://camillestyles.com/wellness/is-black-tea-good-for-you/
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/black-tea-recipes-764980
Associative photos © Canva.
