Black tea

Black tea is one of the world’s most popular types of tea and ranges from full-bodied Assam teas to elegant Darjeelings and nuanced Chinese specialities. In our range, you’ll find loose-leaf black tea from Assam, Darjeeling, Nepal, China and Sri Lanka, where climate, altitude and production methods give each tea its own distinct character. Here you’ll find both full-bodied morning teas and more aromatic black teas for those who wish to explore the differences between the world’s leading tea-growing regions.

We are currently on holiday, so it will not be possible to place orders over the next few days. The next dispatch will be on 29 June. Thank you for your patience, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

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Black tea from the world’s finest tea-growing regions

Black tea is the world’s most widely consumed type of tea and is prized for its full-bodied flavour, aroma and great variety. Black tea originated in China but is now produced in some of the world’s best-known tea-growing regions. Differences in climate, altitude, soil and production methods mean that black tea can express itself in many different ways, ranging from robust and malty to aromatic and nuanced.

In our range, you’ll find black tea from Assam, Darjeeling, Nepal and China. Among our most popular black teas are Darjeeling Samabeong Muscatel, Assam Chardwar Golden Tippy, Golden Yunnan and Keemun Gong Fu – teas representing some of the world’s most classic origins of black tea.

What does black tea taste like?

Black tea is one of the most diverse categories of tea. Assam is known for its full-bodied and malty character, Darjeeling for its aromatic and muscatel-like qualities, whilst Nepalese black teas often combine elegance with complexity. Chinese black teas such as Keemun and Yunnan tend to be smoother and more nuanced, with notes of cocoa, honey, dried fruit and spice.

For many, the journey begins with Assam or Darjeeling, but black tea encompasses far more varieties than that. From the high-altitude plantations of the Himalayas to the classic tea-growing regions of China, each origin develops its own distinct character. Together, they demonstrate just how much variety there is within the black tea category.

All our black teas are sold loose. Whole leaves allow you to better appreciate the tea’s natural aromas and how the flavour develops over successive infusions. For those who enjoy flavoured black tea, we also offer classic blends such as Earl Grey and Chai.

Brewing black tea

Most black teas are brewed with water at around 90–95°C. As a general guide, use 2–3 grams of tea per cup and allow 3–4 minutes’ steeping time. Many high-quality black teas can be brewed several times, with each infusion bringing out new aspects of the tea’s character. Darjeeling, Nepalese teas and Chinese black teas are often particularly well suited to this.