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﹨Blacktea﹨
BESTEA's black teas come from both high mountains and Taiwan's classic black tea region. Lishan Black Tea (about 1,900 m), Huagang Black Tea (about 2,400 m) and Fushoushan Black Tea (about 2,500 m) grow in high-elevation gardens, where wide day-night temperature swings slow the leaves' growth for a smooth liquor with delicate fruity, honeyed notes. Sun Moon Lake Ruby comes from Taiwan's best-known black tea region and carries notes of mint and cinnamon.
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Characteristics and Components of Black Tea
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Black Tea? 8 Major Benefits You Should Know!
Are There Any Downsides to Drinking Black Tea? 6 Things to Keep in Mind!
Complete Guide to Brewing Black Tea: Learn Hot Brew and Cold Brew Methods at Once!
What Are the Precautions for Drinking Black Tea? These 4 Groups Should Be Careful!
What Types of Taiwanese Black Tea Are There? Let BESTEA Show You Taiwan’s Signature Black Teas!
A household favorite beverage: what exactly is black tea? The following introduction will help you better understand this star tea drink:
Black tea is a fully fermented tea. One of its distinctive features is that during fermentation, it develops rich aromas such as fruity, floral, and honey notes, along with a full-bodied flavor that brings pure enjoyment to your taste buds. In addition, black tea contains caffeine, tea polyphenols and amino acids, along with small amounts of vitamins and minerals. Caffeine, polyphenols and amino acids shape the bitterness, astringency and sweetness of the liquor, giving black tea its layered flavor.
During full fermentation, the tea polyphenols in black tea are transformed into theaflavins and thearubigins, which bring out layered fruity, floral and honey aromas and give the liquor its bright reddish-orange color. Simply smelling it is a pleasure.
Full fermentation softens the astringency of black tea, giving it a round, mellow body with a sweet finish. Even people who find green tea too grassy usually enjoy it.
Black tea’s rich flavor goes well with desserts and pastries, making it a perfect choice for afternoon tea. If you have a sensitive stomach, simply avoid drinking it on an empty stomach.
Paired with sweet or savory snacks, its full-bodied liquor balances the flavors and leaves the palate feeling refreshed.
Black tea is just as enjoyable hot or cold: brewed hot, it is rich and aromatic; cold-brewed, it is less bitter and noticeably sweeter (see the brewing guide below).
In summer, keep a jug of cold-brewed black tea in the fridge for a refreshing cup any time.
Brewing a pot of black tea and sipping it slowly is a simple pleasure in daily life, and a cup between work or study sessions makes a nice break.
With its bold flavor, black tea pairs well with milk, lemon or fruit, so you can easily make milk tea, lemon tea or fruit tea at home.
Compared with unfermented green tea, most of the tea polyphenols in black tea have been transformed during fermentation, so it tastes less astringent and gentler, with its own distinct soft character.
In addition to its smooth and mellow taste, a good black tea leaves a lingering sweet finish after each sip, with a soft fruity, honeyed note that stays on the palate.
Although black tea offers many benefits, incorrect drinking habits or overconsumption may still bring some drawbacks:
When drinking black tea, it is recommended to add less sugar, creamer, or other ingredients in order to avoid excessive calorie intake and enjoy the original flavor of black tea.
People with sensitive stomachs may experience discomfort if they drink black tea on an empty stomach, so it is recommended to drink it after meals.
The caffeine in black tea can make people feel more energized. Therefore, those who are sensitive to caffeine or who often experience insomnia are advised not to drink black tea within 4 hours before bedtime.
A 2022 laboratory study in the European Journal of Dentistry, The Impact on Dental Staining Caused by Beverages in Combination with Chlorhexidine Digluconate, found that with chlorhexidine mouthwash, black tea was among the beverages that stained teeth most, and adding milk reduced the staining. Adding a little milk to black tea or brushing with fluoride toothpaste can help reduce tooth discoloration.
The polyphenols in black tea may inhibit the absorption of plant-based iron. Drinking black tea during meals may reduce iron absorption, so if you want to improve iron intake, it is better to drink black tea about 1 hour after a meal.
How should black tea be brewed? By mastering key factors such as temperature and brewing time, you can enjoy a fuller flavor from black tea. Here are some suggestions for both hot brewing and cold brewing black tea:
In addition to enjoying black tea in its original form, you can also add sugar, milk, lemon, or other ingredients according to your personal taste, and enjoy a relaxing tea moment that is truly your own.
Are there any precautions when drinking black tea? Who should be cautious about drinking it? Although black tea is a natural beverage that is generally suitable for almost everyone and rarely causes serious side effects, certain groups should still drink it in moderation or consult a doctor in advance in order to truly enjoy tea drinks!
The following are 4 groups of people who should pay special attention when drinking black tea:
People who are sensitive to caffeine should be cautious when drinking black tea, because the caffeine in black tea may cause a faster heartbeat, headaches, or insomnia. It is recommended that you choose low-caffeine tea varieties or shorten the brewing time, and avoid drinking it in the evening so it does not affect sleep.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also pay attention to moderation when drinking black tea. Caffeine can reach the baby through the placenta and breast milk, so it is best to limit daily caffeine intake, avoid overly strong brewing, and consult a doctor if necessary.
The tannic acid in black tea may irritate the stomach, and people with sensitive digestive systems may be more likely to experience heartburn or stomach pain. Therefore, such individuals should avoid drinking black tea on an empty stomach and choose lightly brewed tea to reduce irritation to the stomach.
People with cardiovascular or kidney conditions should drink black tea in moderation, because the caffeine in black tea may cause increased blood pressure and a faster heartbeat, while its diuretic effect may add extra burden to the kidneys. Therefore, this group is advised to drink it under a doctor’s guidance, or choose caffeine-free tea products.
When it comes to black tea, what comes to mind first? For many people in Taiwan, terms like “Alishan Black Tea” or “Sun Moon Lake Black Tea” are familiar, but they do not actually refer to a single tea cultivar. Instead, they generally refer to tea grown in those specific production regions. As a result, they often include a variety of different tea types (such as honey-fragrance tea, Jin Xuan, Ruby, and more), which adds even more diversity to the cultural richness of Taiwanese tea.
Most black teas on the market are made from the leaves of large-leaf tea trees, while a smaller portion comes from small-leaf tea trees. The two differ in origin, leaf characteristics, tea polyphenol content, and flavor.
Large-Leaf Tea Trees: In Taiwan, large-leaf tea trees mainly come from areas such as Yuchi and Puli in Nantou. A closer look at their leaves reveals that they are generally thinner, with smoother leaf edges, and larger leaves. In addition, because large-leaf tea contains higher levels of tea polyphenols, the brewed tea tends to have a richer aroma, stronger sweetness in the aftertaste, and a darker tea liquor.
Small-Leaf Tea Trees: Most small-leaf tea trees in Taiwan are grown in areas such as Sanxia in New Taipei and Yilan. Compared with large-leaf tea, small-leaf tea leaves are thicker, have serrated leaf edges, are smaller, and are usually oval or lance-shaped. Since small-leaf tea contains lower levels of tea polyphenols, the brewed tea tends to have a lighter aroma, a weaker sweet aftertaste, and a lighter-colored tea liquor.
Of course, depending on the processing methods and brewing styles used in different production areas, the resulting flavors may also vary. Ultimately, the best guide is still your own actual tasting experience!
Before purchasing black tea, you should pay attention to the quality, color, and aroma of the tea leaves, as well as whether the packaging clearly indicates the shelf life, place of origin, certifications, and other information, to avoid buying tea of unknown origin or poor quality.
For storage, opened black tea leaves should be kept in an airtight container and protected from light, moisture, and strong odors.
If you want to enjoy the purest 100% Taiwanese black tea but are not sure which tea to buy, BESTEA has selected 3 high-quality black teas for you!
Sun Moon Lake Ruby Black Tea is the most well-known black tea variety from the Sun Moon Lake region. It features a distinctive mint and cinnamon aroma, blended with fruity honey and caramel notes, creating a tasting experience unlike other tea varieties and making it an outstanding representative of Taiwanese black tea.
Grown at high altitudes, Lishan’s tea leaves surpass those from lower elevations in quality. The brewed tea has a bright ruby-red color and a sweet, fruity aroma, making it perfect for daily enjoyment or serving guests.
Grown in the rich organic soils of Fushoushan, this tea brews into a distinctive amber color. Its lingering aroma and sweet, mellow flavor exude a refined elegance, earning it the nickname “Ruby of Fushoushan.”
BESTEA was founded in 1993 and owns its own tea gardens in Taiwan. Collaborating with expert tea farmers, pickers, and tea masters, we bring you the highest-quality 100% Taiwan black tea! In 2019, we launched the “BESTEA” brand to introduce Taiwan tea to the world, receiving great acclaim in Japan, Korea, Europe, the United States, and Hong Kong & Macau!
Not only does BESTEA enjoy a strong reputation, but our products also feature the following advantages:
So what are you waiting for? Let BESTEA guide you into the world of premium Taiwan black tea today!
