Best Black Tea – A Complete Tea Perspective Guide

Black tea would take up the high majority of hot beverages in my life, and for good reason. So, what is the best black tea going around? Let me share with you a few with you.

best black tea in pot

When it comes to our favorite drinks as a human species drinks, tea is a firm favorite, both in the east and the west. It is the second most-consumed drink worldwide, coming second only to water. Black tea is perhaps the tea that you are most familiar with as it’s the most popular tea.

As a lover of tea, I have tried and tested many types of tea including black, herbal, and decaffeinated varieties.

Good black tea is certainly one of my favorites, as it’s a great traditional tea that packs some great flavor.

Whether you enjoy black tea loose leaf from a teapot, like the convenience of a teabag, or prefer it chilled, there are many delicious brands of black tea to choose from at the moment.

There are lots of varieties too!

Some of the best black tea brands and types are listed here below, we hope you enjoy!

Where Does the Best Black Tea Originate From?

Black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The flavor of black tea varies, depending on where the tea originated from and how it was produced.

The best black tea is produced mainly in China, Africa, India, and Sri Lanka and there is a wide variety of flavors. Many excellent varieties of tea come from these nations.

Some teas are sweet with a mild flavor, while others are aromatic and strong. No two brands are the same.

Color of Black Tea

best black tea leaves

Despite being called black tea, the hue of the brew can range from amber to red to darkish brown and the flavor can be anywhere from savory to sweet.

Factors that affect this depend on how the tea was heat processed and how long it was oxidized.

When steeping the tea, strength, and brightness in the infusion is a sign of quality. Black teas that have golden or silvery tips in the leaves are superior quality teas. 

Black tea can be more bitter and astringent than green tea but when brewed correctly should be flavorsome and smooth to the palate.

Best Black Tea Types

Everyone of course has different tastes and palates, but for me, one of the best black teas is Earl Grey. Funnily enough, it also seems to be one of the most controversial of teas too.

Is it the bergamot? No one will ever know 🙂

I like it served in a cup, strong with no sugar, a dash of milk, and potentially a little honey ( if consumed in the afternoon) with the tea bag left in.

However if it is loose-leaf, I like a big teaspoon of tea per cup, brewed in the kettle for 5 mins, yes I am quite particular and I use a tea timer. It has to be 5 mins and turned 3 times in a clockwise direction 🙂

It is the same way that my Mum and her mother before her enjoyed their tea. It is not fancy, in fact, it could be taken as quite boring. But cest la vie, one of my faves.

Tea was a constant in the home growing up and you could be sure that the kettle would be put on the boil whenever friends and family visited.

There are many types of black tea, with something to suit every palate.

Here are some of the best black tea bags on the market.

Earl Grey Tea

This delicious blend of black tea is flavored with the addition of the oil of bergamot.

Twinings Earl Grey Black Tea, 100 Individually Wrapped Tea Bags, Flavoured With Citrus and Bergamot, Caffeinated
Our Top Pick
Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Supreme Teabags, 50 Count
Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey, 50 Teabags, Black
Twinings Earl Grey Black Tea, 100 Individually Wrapped Tea Bags, Flavoured With Citrus and Bergamot, Caffeinated
Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Supreme Teabags, 50 Count
Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey, 50 Teabags, Black
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Twinings Earl Grey Black Tea, 100 Individually Wrapped Tea Bags, Flavoured With Citrus and Bergamot, Caffeinated
Twinings Earl Grey Black Tea, 100 Individually Wrapped Tea Bags, Flavoured With Citrus and Bergamot, Caffeinated
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Our Top Pick
Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Supreme Teabags, 50 Count
Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Supreme Teabags, 50 Count
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Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey, 50 Teabags, Black
Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey, 50 Teabags, Black
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English Breakfast Tea

English breakfast tea is a blend of black teas that originate from Assam, Kenya, and Ceylon. It is one of the best black teas when it comes to popularity.

This type of tea is a traditional blend of black tea which is common in England – the home of black tea.

Twinings English Breakfast Black Tea, 100 Individually Wrapped Tea Bags, Smooth, Flavourful, Robust, Caffeinated
Our Top Pick
Taylors of Harrogate English Breakfast, 50 Teabags
TAZO Tea Bags, English Breakfast Tea, 48 Count (Pack of 4)
Twinings English Breakfast Black Tea, 100 Individually Wrapped Tea Bags, Smooth, Flavourful, Robust, Caffeinated
Taylors of Harrogate English Breakfast, 50 Teabags
TAZO Tea Bags, English Breakfast Tea, 48 Count (Pack of 4)
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Twinings English Breakfast Black Tea, 100 Individually Wrapped Tea Bags, Smooth, Flavourful, Robust, Caffeinated
Twinings English Breakfast Black Tea, 100 Individually Wrapped Tea Bags, Smooth, Flavourful, Robust, Caffeinated
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Our Top Pick
Taylors of Harrogate English Breakfast, 50 Teabags
Taylors of Harrogate English Breakfast, 50 Teabags
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TAZO Tea Bags, English Breakfast Tea, 48 Count (Pack of 4)
TAZO Tea Bags, English Breakfast Tea, 48 Count (Pack of 4)
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As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases.

Decaffeinated Black Tea

There are many varieties of decaffeinated black tea on the market and all have distinctive flavors.

Decaffeinated black tea is ideal for those who are sensitive to caffeine, and those that are health conscious.

Often they get a bad wrap, but they have their purpose. I get it, I mean, I love the smell and taste of coffee, but it can send me through the roof, so will opt for decaf, occasionally.

This is a nice little selection of great decaf black teas.

Twinings of London Decaffeinated English Breakfast Herbal Tea Bags, 50 Count (Pack of 1)
Our Top Pick
Harney & Sons Black Tea, Tea Bags, Decaffeinated, 50 Count
Stash Tea Decaf English Breakfast Black Tea, Box of 100 Tea Bags
Twinings of London Decaffeinated English Breakfast Herbal Tea Bags, 50 Count (Pack of 1)
Harney & Sons Black Tea, Tea Bags, Decaffeinated, 50 Count
Stash Tea Decaf English Breakfast Black Tea, Box of 100 Tea Bags
Solid flavour, Robust, Reliable.
Best Allrounder, Great Flavor.
Ethical, Flavorsome, Bold.
Twinings of London Decaffeinated English Breakfast Herbal Tea Bags, 50 Count (Pack of 1)
Twinings of London Decaffeinated English Breakfast Herbal Tea Bags, 50 Count (Pack of 1)
Solid flavour, Robust, Reliable.
Our Top Pick
Harney & Sons Black Tea, Tea Bags, Decaffeinated, 50 Count
Harney & Sons Black Tea, Tea Bags, Decaffeinated, 50 Count
Best Allrounder, Great Flavor.
Stash Tea Decaf English Breakfast Black Tea, Box of 100 Tea Bags
Stash Tea Decaf English Breakfast Black Tea, Box of 100 Tea Bags
Ethical, Flavorsome, Bold.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases.

Assam

Assam, India is the largest region for tea growing in the world. The climate produces a tea that is known for its strong malty flavors.

This type of tea goes well with milk and sugar.

VAHDAM, Assam Black Tea Bags (100 Count) High Caffeine - Coffee Replacement, Gluten-Free | Whole Loose-Leaf Tea Bags | Strong, Robust & Flavoury | Resealable Ziplock Pouch
Our Top Pick
Taylors of Harrogate Pure Assam, 50 Teabags
Twinings Assam Strong and Malty, 80 Tea Bags
VAHDAM, Assam Black Tea Bags (100 Count) High Caffeine - Coffee Replacement, Gluten-Free | Whole Loose-Leaf Tea Bags | Strong, Robust & Flavoury | Resealable Ziplock Pouch
Taylors of Harrogate Pure Assam, 50 Teabags
Twinings Assam Strong and Malty, 80 Tea Bags
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VAHDAM, Assam Black Tea Bags (100 Count) High Caffeine - Coffee Replacement, Gluten-Free | Whole Loose-Leaf Tea Bags | Strong, Robust & Flavoury | Resealable Ziplock Pouch
VAHDAM, Assam Black Tea Bags (100 Count) High Caffeine - Coffee Replacement, Gluten-Free | Whole Loose-Leaf Tea Bags | Strong, Robust & Flavoury | Resealable Ziplock Pouch
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Our Top Pick
Taylors of Harrogate Pure Assam, 50 Teabags
Taylors of Harrogate Pure Assam, 50 Teabags
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Twinings Assam Strong and Malty, 80 Tea Bags
Twinings Assam Strong and Malty, 80 Tea Bags
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As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases.

Ceylon

Much of the tea produced in Sri Lanka for export is Ceylon. These black teas are usually strong and have a hint of spice.

Sri Lanka is best known for its production of cinnamon. The economy in Sri Lanka is highly dependent on its Ceylon tea trade.

What is the difference or is there a difference between Ceylon and Orange Pekoe? We will cover that in-depth in a future article. But, in summary, Orange Pekoe is a grading of black tea and “Ceylon” is the previous name of where the tea was grown. ( Now called Sri Lanka)

Darjeeling

Darjeeling tea is produced in the mountains of India and is milder and more herbal than many other black teas.

Often called the ”champagne of teas” this brand of tea is considered by many to be the best in the world. It is often used as a base for the popular spiced drink, Chai.

Chai is another one of my absolute favorites too and I have found Celestial Seasonings do a delicious caffeine free version “Bengal Spice”.

If you are a lover of tea and want to keep your caffeine intake down, this is one I highly recommend.

Kenyan

Kenyan tea is produced in Kenya in Africa and is a full-bodied style of tea that is popular the world over. Kenya produces anywhere from 25-30% of the world’s tea with the high majority exported to Pakistan.

However, not many Kenyan teas hit the shores of the U.S, although not overly popular, there are still some decent brews available.

Great Brands of Black Tea

Be adventurous and try some black teas from around the world. There are some fabulous flavors out there and you may be lucky enough to find your new favorite!

Drinking Black Tea English breakfast

Some of the highest quality and most popular brands of black tea include:

  • The Keemum Black Tea Xiang Luo by Oriarm     
  • Taylors of Harrogate English breakfast
  • Lipton Darjeeling Tea
  • Tata Tea Gold
  • Celestial Seasonings South American Morning Thunder
  • Twinings Assam Black Tea Bags
  • Dilmah Premium Single Origin 100% pure Ceylon tea
  • Harney & Sons, Paris flavored black tea

Brewing the Best Black Tea

How you make the best black tea is purely a matter of taste. It is a fine art form, and in my experience, connoisseurs of tea are likely to let you know quite quickly if the tea is not brewed to their liking!

You can add cream, milk, honey or sugar, or a combination of the above. Some people like it straight black.

Weak or strong, from the pot, loose-leaf or with a teabag, there are many options.

Some like their tea bag or tea bags left in for a strong brew (like me), others prefer a weaker flavor with the teabag dipped in and out.

If you are making tea for company, ask how they prefer it as it’s all personal preference.

For optimum results for most people, brew the tea leaves for 3-5 minutes. If you are using loose leaf tea 2-3 grams of tea is enough for a cup, or one heaped teaspoon.

Ice Tea

Serving your tea cold with ice is another option.

Black tea can even be made into a scrumptious cocktail. Long Island iced tea is delicious and can be made into a real experience when served on the patio with your significant other, friends or family.

Tea for two or many has always been a highly relaxing, social, and enjoyable experience for me.

You can make Ice Tea by brewing Black tea or you can purchase premade ice tea from many retailers. We like this premade ice tea from the pure leaf store.

A Popular Beverage

When it comes to teas, black tea is the most traditional and often consumed beverage in the world.

This versatile beverage can be taken hot or cold and is nurturing whether someone else brews it for you or when you make your own.

The best black teas can be enjoyed alone or in the company of an friend, and are an excellent pick-me-up. 

However you prefer it, a cup of the best black tea is a real treat, reward, and pleasure with or without company. Using quality black tea gives you an affordable experience that you can enjoy anywhere, anytime. 

Sample Packs

If you’re not really sure which black tea is the best for you, you can purchase a black tea sample pack that has anywhere from 6 to 48 different types of black tea including Classic English Breakfast Tea, Daily Assam Black Tea,  Daily Darjeeling, Darjeeling First Flush, Unitea, Earl Grey Citrus Black Tea, Blooming Rose Black Tea, and Himalayan Breakfast Black Tea plus many others so you can try a few different kinds and decide for yourself which ones your favorite.

Health Benefits of Black Tea

The health benefits of black tea are huge with lots of black tea containing antioxidants.

Antioxidants are known to provide a host of health benefits and consuming them can help remove free radicals from your body and decrease cell damage.

This ultimately may help decrease the risk of chronic disease and can improve heart health.

There are many health benefits from drinking black tea and they range from boosting your immune system, fighting off inflammation, and even warding off cancer and heart disease.

While all these are claims they’re not 100% proven so it’s preferable you seek medical advice if you’re wanting to increase your immune system and improve your general health.

While some brews provide more health advantages than others, there’s plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.

Loose Leaf v’s Tea Bags

The use of Loose Leaf Tea versus Tea Bagged tea both has positive and negative aspects and elements.

Tea bagged tea is more convenient and easier to brew than Loose Leaf, has a consistent taste, and is cheaper and easy to make.

Also. Tea bagged tea when steeped, the fine tea leaves release more tannins than loose leaf tea or whole leaf tea, resulting in a more bitter or astringent tasting brew.

It comes down to preference at the end of the day as loose leaf tea you’re able to control more of the water, tea, and seeping time.

Loose leaf tea also generally has more of a flavor profile meaning loose leaf tea is usually more flavourful with more depth to its taste.

Milk and Sugar?

Tea is a pretty personal thing and to add sugar or milk is a purely personal preference.

I go through phases, sometimes a dash of milk, sometimes a little honey, other times neither, I like to keep life interesting and my partner on their toes!

The Best Black Tea 

Black Tea is one of the oldest and most popular drinks in the world today and as you’ve already seen there are lots of different varieties and types.

As a lover of tea, I have tried and tested many types of black tea including; Assam Black Tea, Darjeeling Black Tea, Ceylon Black Tea, English Breakfast Tea, Irish Breakfast Tea, Earl Gray or Kenyan Black Tea.

All these different black teas originate from different areas of the world and have slightly different tastes depending on where they came from.

You will find the best black tea is the one that you find tastes the best TO YOU, it’s about personal preference and if you’re like me, I like different types of tea depending on the time of day, my mood and how the tea makes me feel.

I usually like a black tea to start my day with my toast!

Twinings English Breakfast

Twinings English Breakfast is one of the most famous black tea brands as it boats a fresh flavor with a high quality of tea leaves from five different regions.

It’s the quality combined with the steep history of tea production that makes Twinings English Breakfast Tea so popular.

Twinings English Breakfast is a favorite of ours here at Tea Perspective but we do love Irish Breakfast and the full-bodied flavors of the other breakfast teas and black teas.

Harney and Sons Irish Breakfast 

The Harney Sons Irish Breakfast Tea is also another favorite tea of ours as it’s a strong flavored loose leaf tea that is sophisticated and popular for its roast malt flavor tones in this smooth breakfast blend.

Harney Sons also made a delicious Earl Grey and English Breakfast loose leaf tea if you enjoy the Irish Breakfast. 

If you love Black Tea Harney and Sons make a delicious Chocolate Supreme Chai Black tea this tea is a delicious twist on your traditional black tea if you’re after something a little bit different.

It combines the flavors of a classic chai with rich chocolate and vanilla.

With a base of blended Chinese and Indian black tea and then combined with all the necessities for a delicious chai—ginger root, cardamom seeds and pods, cinnamon (ground and in chips), and nutmeg.

Finally, natural chocolate, cardamom, and the vanilla flavor is added through the blend, creating a one-of-a-kind tea experience you won’t soon forget.

It’s perfect for after dinner or when you’re after a sweet indulgence without the calories.

What Is the Best Brand of Tea Bags?

Whether to use tea bags or loose leaf tea is a completely personal preference, some like their tea stronger while others prefer a smoother more subtle blend.

The tea bag will produce a smoother blend while a loose leaf tea is generally stronger.

The best brand of tea bags we have found is the Lipton Black Tea as we love the freshness and naturally smooth taste.

The Lipton tea bags are specially designed to bring out the full taste and flavor of the tea and bring out the full flavor profile of the tea too.

Where Can I Buy Black Tea?

You can purchase the best black teas from many retail outlets and we have added links to Amazon for your shopping convenience, so you can read reviews, have them delivered directly to your door, and relax. Brew, relax, and enjoy!

Best Black Tea – Conclusion

Although we or anyone can tell whatever we think the best black tea is, it really comes down to personal preference.
I go through stages and drink the same Tea, day in, day out because I love it. However, on other weeks I will try 25 different teas and love that experience as much or more.

Drinking tea is a celebration, of flavor, enjoyment, and of health.

Happy Sipping.

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