Chinese black tea is a little different from other black varieties, and although not my favorite of the black teas, I do enjoy and can recommend them. If you like strong coffee, you'll most likely fancy these teas!
Black tea from China like Assam tea from India and Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, makes up a handsome percentage of world black tea consumption.
The thing about Chinese black tea is that it tastes different from the Indian and Sri Lanka black teas which we will go over in a moment.
Like all other black teas, the Chinese versions come from a species of Camellia sinensis, and are grown at high altitudes.
In the past, I thought that all black tea originally came from China, but with the inspiration for building this site, I've learned that this was not the case. Like Indian blacks, the black tea processed in China is fully fermented, that is, the leaves are allowed to fully oxidized which turns them almost black in color.
The taste of Chinese black tea can be very rich and smoky, along with some mild peppery notes. It blends well with other teas and is great as both a morning and afternoon tea. Adding a drop of milk or sugar is also a good way to enjoy this tea. Of course flavor will vary based on what variety one brews, but overall you can expect a full-bodied cup that rivals coffee.
Some Common Varieties of Chinese Black Tea Are:
Lapsang souchong: which is a rare type of black tea grown in the Wuyi Mountains and smoked over pine or cedar fires. The taste is bold and bitter which may require some time getting used to (not my personal opinion...researched).
Keemun tea: which is considered as the most famous type of Chinese black varieties. I have experienced Keemun tea and call say that I enjoyed it. The taste is a bit smoky but is enjoyable; I also add milk to give it texture. Worth a try.
Dian Hong tea: a fine gourmet Chinese tea that is usually blended with other varieties. By itself, the taste is noted for being malty and sweet. The tea gives an almost orange glow in the cup releasing a gentle aroma. I look forward to giving this variety a shot! (there's sooo many teas I haven't tried yet)
Yunnan tea: another common tea exported out of China. This tea is known for its fat golden buds and brews a reddish brown liquor. The taste is smooth and sweet with a refreshing aftertaste. There are two types of Yunnan...Yunnan congou black and yunnan broken black. The "broken black" is the more exported type.
More Chinese black tea will be added to my collection of black teas pretty soon. And like all teas, they offer many health benefits that can aid in a healthier lifestyle!
