Black tea, a hot drink with a comforting intensity
Legend has it that black tea, like the tarte Tatin in pastries, was the result of an unexpected mishap. To understand the supposed origins of black tea, we must travel back to the 17th century and look to England.
A shipment of green tea from China reportedly arrived in London after an interminable sea voyage. However, the crates of green tea burst open during the voyage, causing the leaves to oxidize upon contact with oxygen. The tea leaves, which turned black, were still consumed by the English, who greatly appreciated their powerful flavor.
Black tea actually has the particularity of being the most oxidized tea. Now essential, it has even established itself as the most popular tea in the West, where many tea lovers consume it daily. The famous teaEarl Greyis nothing more or less than a black tea with bergamot, which owes its name to the family of the British Earl Charles Grey (1764-1845). Here again, the legend is true: a servant of the Grey family took the initiative of dipping a slice of bergamot into the black tea served to his masters, giving birth to a world-famous tea.
As for theDarjeeling, which also counts amongthe most famous black teas in the world, it simply takes its name from the Indian city, located more specifically in the state of West Bengal, in which it is cultivated. Described as the cream of black teas, it is recognizable by its amber color, its pure taste as well as its delicate bitterness.
Within our Tea House, the most traditional black teas sit alongside more fanciful blends, in harmony with our own hybrid identity. As a result,Earl Grey comes in a classic version,biologicalOrdecaffeinatedthrough our catalog of luxury teas, while theDarjeelingblends its musky notes with fruity or floral notes rich in sensoriality.
Black teas from China, like Pu-Er which improves with age, from Nepal or even Japan complete our vast collection of natural and flavored black teas. From cherry blossom to cocoa bean, including citrus fruits, the ingredients that enhance our flavored black teas promise you a real taste pleasure with every sip.
Also travel to exotic lands in the heart of summer with our“Exotic Olympic” teawith sunny notes of passion fruit, mango and pineapple, or travel to India in the middle of winter with the iconic black tea “Chai” with warm spices.
What are the stages of black tea production?
In the same way thatgreen tea,white teaAndoolong tea, black tea is produced from a single shrub. This is the Camellia sinensis, from which leaves are picked whose processing and oxidation give the characteristic color of black tea.
Let us first emphasize the fact thatblack tea requires more manufacturing stepsthan other tea varieties. Once the leaves are harvested, they go through the withering stage, the objective of which is to soften the leaves to facilitate rolling. Lasting an average of 15 hours to obtain a high-quality black tea, withering consists of spreading the tea leaves on a grid and placing them in contact with the air, the temperature and humidity of which are carefully controlled.
This step then begins the oxidation process of the leaves, which continues through the rolling stage. Generally speaking, rolling consists of rolling the leaves on themselves, lengthwise, to release the juices and essential oils. In the context of black tea production, however, rolling accelerates oxidation by breaking the cells of the tea leaves.
Next comes oxidation, which revealsthe bitterness of the tea and the color of its liquorafter infusion. The leaves are spread out on steel, glass, or ceramic trays in a warm, humid atmosphere. To stop oxidation, drying is necessary, which destroys the enzyme responsible for oxidation. Typically, black tea leaves are dried in a cylindrical vat heated to 120°C for 20 to 30 minutes.
After sorting the leaves, the black tea is finally ready to be brewed and enjoyed. Because we view tea drinking as a true sensory experience, we reveal the optimal conditions for enjoying a delicious Betjeman & Barton black tea.
Under what conditions should you enjoy a cup of black tea?
If consumed throughout the day,Black tea is particularly appreciated at breakfast and at tea time., a special moment for tea lovers.Earl Grey teasAndDarjeelingThey also go perfectly with sweet treats, whether biscuits or pastries.
To fully reveal the flavors of black tea, it is recommended to infuse it in water between 80 and 90°C on average, for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, depending on its origin and individual preferences. With or without a splash of milk, your black tea will then be the ideal companion for your moments of relaxation and other daily wellness breaks.
Tasty and beautifully packaged, theBetjeman & Barton black teasare also precious gifts to offer to the gourmets in your life. Sold in bulk from 100 g to 1 kg, they will allow your loved ones to (re)discover the innocent pleasure of a cup of black tea with enveloping scents and flavors.
