Black Tea
WHAT IS BLACK TEA? Black tea is by far the most popular of teas and is consumed daily in most Western and South Asian countries. Black tea is also extremely popular in our neck of the woods, though it isn’t commonly known as “black tea, but rather as “Earl Grey” – black tea infused with bergamot essential oil, or chai tea – black tea blended with a number of different spices (typically cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, cloves, pepper, coriander, nutmeg, and fennel). There exist a range of other black tea blends including gunfire tea, English breakfast, Irish breakfast, Assam tea, and others. Read more >
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Celebration Herbals Ceylon Black Tea is considered by many tea connoisseur to be the best tea in the world. Originating in Sri Lanka, it has a refreshing, distinctive, medium body and smooth aroma and flavour. With high antioxidant content, Ceylon Black Tea brews to a rich golden colour and can be enjoyed on its own or combined with other herbs and teas. If looking for a milder flavour, simply ...
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English Breakfast Black Tea from Celebration Herbals is a medium bodied black tea that is low in tannins and brews to a rich red colour. A refreshing, smooth classic, English Breakfast Black Tea is truly a flavourful beverage with a rich aroma that makes an excellent addition to any breakfast, or whenever you feel the need for a relaxing cup of tea. Add a drop of milk and sugar to bring out its...
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Four O’Clock Organic Earl Grey Black Tea brings a refined twist to a timeless favourite. Made with organic, Fairtrade Indian black tea and delicately infused with natural bergamot flavour, this floral blend offers a smooth and aromatic cup with medium caffeine content. Enjoy it hot or as a creamy tea latte for a comforting and elegant tea experience. Crafted with all-natural ingredients, it con...
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Four O’Clock Organic English Breakfast Black Tea is a robust and satisfying blend with rich malt notes and a subtle smoky character. Crafted in the traditional style, this invigorating tea is specially designed to pair beautifully with milk and makes an ideal start to the day. With medium caffeine content, it can be enjoyed hot or prepared as a comforting tea latte. Made with all-natural, non-G...
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M21 Luxury Tea Canadian Breakfast Tea is the perfect way to wake up and start your day! With a full bodied flavour, Canadian Breakfast Tea is a delicious mixture of organic black tea and organic green tea in a plant-based pyramid tea bag. Eco friendly the luxury pyramid teabags and the canister are naturally compostable as well as Certified Organic, Certified Vegan, Small Batch Blended and Pack...
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M21 Luxury Tea Apple Spice Tea is a comforting black tea blend inspired by the warm flavours of freshly picked apples and seasonal spices. Crafted with high-altitude black tea, real apple pieces, and cinnamon, this aromatic tea delivers a smooth and cozy flavour perfect for cool mornings or relaxing evenings. With medium caffeine content, it offers a balanced and satisfying cup any time of day....
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M21 Luxury Tea Blackcurrant Tea is a rich and flavourful black tea blend infused with the bold taste and aroma of juicy black currants. Crafted with premium black tea, real black currants, and natural flavours, this smooth and aromatic tea delivers a balanced cup with medium caffeine content, perfect for mornings or afternoon breaks. Small-batch blended and packed in Canada by The Metropolitan ...
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M21 Luxury Tea Blueberry Tea combines smooth whole leaf black tea with the sweet and vibrant flavour of wild blueberries for a rich and refreshing tea experience. This full-bodied blend offers a naturally fruity aroma and a smooth finish that can be enjoyed hot or iced. Crafted in small batches and packed in Canada, each biodegradable paper canister contains 24 plant-based pyramid tea bags desi...
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M21 Luxury Tea Boston Tea Party Tea is a bold and full-bodied black tea crafted for those who appreciate classic flavour with a modern eco-conscious touch. Made with whole leaf black tea, this smooth and satisfying blend can be enjoyed hot or iced any time of day. Each canister contains 12 plant-based compostable pyramid tea bags and is packaged in 100% recycled paper for a more sustainable tea...
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M21 Luxury Tea Boysenberry Tea is a smooth and fruity blend of black and green tea infused with the sweet and slightly tart flavour of ripe boysenberries. This balanced tea offers a refreshing and flavourful cup that can be enjoyed throughout the day. Each canister includes 24 plant-based pyramid tea bags that are naturally compostable and packaged in biodegradable materials for a more sustaina...
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M21 Luxury Tea Canadian Breakfast Tea is the perfect way to wake up and start your day! With a full bodied flavour, Canadian Breakfast Tea is a delicious mixture of organic black tea and organic green tea in a plant-based pyramid tea bag. Eco friendly the luxury pyramid teabags and the canister are naturally compostable as well as Certified Organic, Certified Vegan, Small Batch Blended and Pack...
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M21 Luxury Tea Chocolate Mint Tea blends bold high-altitude black tea with refreshing peppermint and rich cocoa for a smooth, dessert-inspired tea experience. Hints of carob add natural sweetness, creating a balanced flavour with cool mint and indulgent chocolate notes in every sip. With medium caffeine content, this comforting tea is perfect for mornings, afternoons, or an evening treat. Small...
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M21 Luxury Tea Cranberry Tea combines premium high-altitude black tea with the bright, refreshing flavour of cranberry for a smooth and vibrant cup. This balanced blend delivers a naturally fruity taste with medium caffeine content, making it a great choice for mornings or afternoon breaks. Small-batch blended and packed in Canada, each recyclable canister contains 24 plant-based pyramid tea ba...
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M21 Luxury Tea Cream Earl Grey Tea offers a smooth and comforting twist on the classic Earl Grey blend. Crafted with premium black tea, natural flavours, and a touch of maple syrup, this rich tea delivers the familiar citrus notes of Earl Grey with a mellow, creamy finish. With medium caffeine content, it is perfect for a relaxing morning or afternoon cup. Small-batch blended and packed in Cana...
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M21 Luxury Tea Earl Grey Tea is a refined black tea blend crafted with high-altitude whole-leaf black tea and delicately infused with natural bergamot flavour. This classic tea offers a smooth, full-bodied taste with bright citrus notes and a clean, aromatic finish. With medium caffeine content, it is an elegant choice for mornings, afternoons, or any relaxing tea break. Small-batch blended and...
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M21 Luxury Tea Decaf English Breakfast Tea delivers the rich and satisfying flavour of a classic breakfast tea without the caffeine. Crafted with premium decaffeinated black tea, this smooth and full-bodied blend is perfect for enjoying any time of day. Small-batch blended and packed in Canada, each eco-friendly canister contains 24 plant-based pyramid tea bags that are fully compostable and bi...
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M21 Luxury Tea English Breakfast Tea is a bold and full-bodied organic black tea crafted to bring richness and balance to your daily routine. Blended with premium tea leaves sourced from India, Tanzania, Kenya, and China, this classic breakfast tea delivers a smooth, satisfying flavour with medium caffeine content. Perfect for mornings or afternoon tea breaks, it can be enjoyed on its own or wi...
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M21 Luxury Tea Golden Maple Cream Tea is a luxury whole leaf robust and smooth black tea with a delicious creamy pancake flavour in a plant-based pyramid tea bag. Eco friendly the luxury pyramid teabags and the canister are naturally compostable as well as Certified Organic, Small Batch Blended and Packed in Canada. [TEA BAGS]
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M21 Luxury Tea Golden Maple Cream Tea is a rich and comforting black tea blend infused with the smooth, creamy flavour of maple syrup and sweet breakfast-inspired notes. Crafted with whole-leaf black tea and natural flavours, this full-bodied tea delivers a warm and satisfying cup with medium caffeine content, perfect for cozy mornings or afternoon breaks. Small-batch blended and packed in Cana...
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M21 Luxury Tea Holiday Winter Spice Tea is a festive black tea blend crafted with high-altitude black tea, apple, cinnamon, clove, and ginger for a warm and comforting flavour. This aromatic tea combines sweet fruit notes with cozy seasonal spices, creating a rich and inviting cup perfect for chilly days and holiday gatherings. With medium caffeine content, it can be enjoyed throughout the day ...
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What Makes a Great Black Tea?
Black tea is by far the most popular of teas and is consumed daily in most Western and South Asian countries. Black tea is also extremely popular in our neck of the woods, though it isn’t commonly known as “black tea, but rather as “Earl Grey” – black tea infused with bergamot essential oil, or chai tea – black tea blended with a number of different spices (typically cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, cloves, pepper, coriander, nutmeg, and fennel). There exist a range of other black tea blends including gunfire tea, English breakfast, Irish breakfast, Assam tea, and others.
Black tea comes from the young leaves and buds of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. A little-known fact is that black, white, and green tea all come from the very same plant – Camellia sinensis. However, the way the leaves are treated post-harvesting is what determines the tea’s flavour profile. Just as interestingly, while black tea has the highest caffeine count of all the tea varieties – averaging around 42 mg of caffeine per cup (roughly the same as a regular cup of coffee), it is also loaded with antioxidants (polyphenols) that protect our cells and tissues against free radical damage.
Black tea is attributed a grade based on the quality and condition of the tea leaves that have been used to make it. In essence, the size of the tea leaves after harvesting is in large part, what determines its quality. Tea grades vary – the highest being “orange pekoe” and the lowest being “fannings” or “dust”. Indeed, the whole leaves are known to impart more aromatic flavours, while buds and tips provide a stronger aroma, the broken leaves and fannings, on the other hand, impart strength to the brew.
Black Tea - taste, texture, aroma
Black tea consists of the withered, fully oxidized (fermented) green leaves of Camellia sinensis. The oxidation process allows the leaves to develop a richer and more complex flavour. When selecting your black tea remember that many other factors will impart the tea with its own distinct flavour profile, including where it was grown, if it grew near other crops that can affect its flavour, the climate it grew in, if it was fertilized naturally or with chemicals, how long the leaves were allowed to oxidize when processed, what kind of heat treatment the leaves received, etc.
The above being said, black tea is generally stronger, bolder, and richer than green tea, and its flavour profile can range from savoury to sweet, and is also more astringent and bitter than green tea, though when brewed correctly it should be smooth, bold, and flavourful.
Brewing a perfect cup of black tea
When brewing (or liquoring) black tea you should measure out roughly 2 to 3 g (or 1 rounded teaspoon) of tea leaves per 6 ounces of water. Unlike green teas, which turn bitter when brewed at higher temperatures, black tea should be steeped in hot water (190° to 212°F).
Heating the water to this temperature range ensures that you bring out just the right balance of tannins, and the full flavour profile (lower temperatures do not yield as full a flavour, and too high a temperature provides an overly tannic and bitter flavour). The right temperature also results in the highest amounts of antioxidants and the most health benefits.
If your black tea is of high quality, it may be brewed several times by progressively adding 10 sec. to the brew time – i.e. the first brew should be 60 sec., the second brew 40 sec., and the third brew 60 sec.
Active Compounds in Black Tea
- Caffeine – The caffeine content in tea can affect characteristics such as taste, acidity, astringency, and bitterness. The more caffeine a tea has, the more bitter it will be. Caffeine has health benefits and overall supports mood, attention, performance, alertness, processing speed and reaction time.
- Flavonoids – Antioxidant compounds which are largely responsible for tea’s orange-red colour, texture, and mouthfeel sensation, as well as its creaminess. Flavonoids can help with weight loss, and blood sugar balance, as well as promote heart health.
- Gallic acid – One of the main phenolic components of tea. Possesses natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Helps promote healthy digestion, and supports healthy cognition and heart health.
- Phenolic acids – Potent antioxidants which can help reduce inflammation, promote blood sugar balance, as well as support healthy cell function which has been associated with healthy aging.
- Tannins – A group of powerful antioxidant bioflavonoids present in black tea and are responsible for the astringent, slightly bitter and dry flavours that we enjoy in most types of tea. Our bodies can use tannins to make ellagic acid, which supports healthy cell growth.
- Theanine – An amino acid which has been shown to optimize mental alertness by increasing alpha activity in the brain. It can also help relax the body and soothe symptoms of stress and anxiety as it is also used to support neurotransmitter production. Having a slightly savoury flavour, L-Theanine is responsible for the slightly umami flavour we can recognize in black tea.
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