It's one of the most popular types of tea in the West, probably due to its flavor and properties. It also includes several varieties, such as English and Earl Grey. The countries that produce a large percentage of this type of tea are India and Sri Lanka. It can be enjoyed hot or cold. In this post, we'll tell you what black tea is, its flavor, uses, and recipes.

What is black tea?

Black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Before being processed and dried, its leaves are completely oxidized. During this process, the leaves acquire a dark brown color, giving it its characteristic flavor. This type of tea is often considered astringent, strong, and energetic.

Discovered in China in the mid-17th century, it was the first tea introduced to the West and the Middle East. Its production was also expanded to other countries, driven by the Scots, English, and adventurers who stole its plants and seeds from China and brought them back to their countries.

At Tétique, we are experts in the art of black tea. We are passionate about the quality, aroma, and flavor of this delicious beverage, which is why we offer a wide variety of black teas from different regions of the world. From classic to the most exotic, our black teas will surprise you with every sip. We offer the popular English Breakfast Black Tea , as well as the delicious Masala Black Chai Tea and the exotic Darjeeling Earl Grey Tea .

The first English black tea companies employed slaves and began using specialized machinery that allowed them to avoid relying on skilled dyers. Over time, production spread to other countries, such as India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka, and later to others such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, and Rwanda. In China, black tea is known as Hong Cha because of the reddish color of its liquor and infusion. However, in the East, its consumption is lower than that of green tea .

What uses are given to black tea?

Black tea can be drunk either hot or cold. For example, in the United States, it's most often consumed as iced tea. It's also commonly drunk as black tea with milk , either on its own or with sugar. With milk or sugar, these include English breakfast tea, masala chai , and Assam black tea. However, those drunk with lemon and sugar are usually served with Earl Grey tea (which isn't consumed with milk), Ceylon tea ice cream, and Nilgiri tea ice cream.

Black tea is often served at breakfast and as an afternoon snack. Its flavors make it ideal for Western cuisine, and it pairs well with some Thai, Indian, and African dishes.

The main use of black tea is to stay alert and energize, and many people drink it instead of coffee. Furthermore, several scientific studies show that it is indeed effective in this way, due to its caffeine content and certain stimulants called theophylline. Both compounds increase heart rate and make you feel more alert.

Benefits of black tea

The oxidation process of black tea causes it to contain more caffeine than other varieties, ranging from 2 to 4%. It's also a beverage high in antioxidants (polyphenols and catechins) and contains two other health-promoting compounds: theaflavins and thearubigins. If consumed regularly, you can benefit from the following benefits of black tea :

• It's stimulating. Its caffeine levels are very balanced, more so than other teas, including coffee. Furthermore, clinical trials indicate that it improves alertness, physical performance, attention, and cognitive ability.
• Strengthens bones. Some studies show that black tea can help build bone mass, especially in women over 65. Drinking it is also said to reduce the risk of hip fractures.
• One of the properties of black tea is that it is an antioxidant and moisturizes the skin. Studies link its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to better skin health. Rinsing your face with black tea improves skin moisture and radiance. It is also effective against dry skin and age spots.
• It supports the intestinal microbiota. It has a significant impact on the intestinal microbiota, allowing for the development of "good" bacteria. These promote healthy intestinal function, stimulate vitamin and energy production, and nutrient absorption.
• Helps with weight loss. Black tea helps with weight loss by altering energy metabolism, improving digestion and thus aiding weight loss. Both black tea and green tea are effective for weight loss , and black tea with cinnamon is equally effective for weight loss. A good option for weight loss is consuming unsweetened black tea .
• Fights atherosclerosis. People who drink three cups of tea a day have a 21% lower risk of suffering a stroke. It also prevents hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
• To take advantage of all these benefits, it is important to know how much black tea you can drink per day , since if you exceed the dose, instead of being beneficial, it can harm your health.

Recipes with black tea

There are various recipes that can be prepared with this delicious tea. It can be mixed with different ingredients to make a more delicious black tea . The most common preparations are iced tea, which are very popular recipes. Easy to prepare, they can be enjoyed year-round. Below are two of them.

Black tea with rose water

It's a preparation with a subtle rose and rosebud flavor. These can be found wherever herbal tea is sold.

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons of Nilgiri black tea.

2 teaspoons of dried rose buds.

2 cups of boiling water.

¼ tablespoon of rose water.

Preparation:

1. Add the tea leaves and buds to boiling water for 5 minutes.
2. Strain the preparation and add honey.
3. Pour ice over it, add the rose water, stir, and serve.

Thai Iced Black Tea

Iced black tea is prepared in a creamy style, and is served in most Thai restaurants. It is also known as Cha Yen, Cha Nom Yen, or Cha Yen Sai Nom.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of black tea leaves.

Star anise.

Cardomom.

½ cinnamon stick.

1/8 vanilla pod.

¼ almond extract.

1 cup of boiling water.

1 tablespoon of sugar.

1 tablespoon of condensed milk.

2 tablespoons of evaporated milk.

Preparation:

1. Combine all the ingredients.
2. You must soak the tea, star anise, cinnamon stick, vanilla pod, and vanilla extract in boiling water for 5 minutes.
3. Then, proceed to strain the tea.
4. Add sugar and condensed milk until completely dissolved.
5. Pour the contents into two glasses filled with ice and sprinkle evaporated milk into each glass.

If you own a bakery, café, or restaurant and are looking to offer a selection of quality black teas to your customers, at Tétique we have the best options for you. We have a wide variety of black teas in different presentations, from single-dose black tea to pyramid black tea for a more convenient offering. If you want to customize the tea for your customers, we have loose black tea options so you can personalize your selection and offer the perfect tea experience to your customers. With Tétique, you can be sure that you are offering the authentic taste of black tea, carefully selected and prepared with passion and expertise.

Contraindications of black tea

It is important to know if you can drink black tea every day . Below are the Contraindications of black tea:

• Because it contains theine, it's contraindicated for some people. Also, despite being a healthy beverage , black tea contains high doses of caffeine .
• Due to its astringent effect, it can cause gastrointestinal health problems.
• The tannins in black tea can cause constipation.
• People suffering from anemia should be aware that black tea has contraindications that could worsen their condition.
• Black tea with cinnamon is contraindicated for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and people suffering from high blood pressure (due to its high alkaloid content).

At Tétique, we are black tea suppliers in Spain , offering a carefully selected variety of the finest black teas from around the world. Our black teas are produced with passion and expertise, and carefully selected to ensure our customers receive only the highest quality black tea. Whether you're looking for classic black teas or more exotic varieties, at Tetique, we have a wide selection to suit all needs. Whether for your home or business, trust Tétique as your trusted black tea supplier in Spain.