black

Loose Leaf Black Teas

Black tea was originally produced when European traders realized that the lengthy voyage from Asia to Europe caused the green tea leaves to loose much of their freshness and taste.  By fermenting the dried tea leaves merchants were able to preserve the tea leaves.  This created a new tea variety with a very different flavor. 

Today black tea is the the most common tea consumed in America and Great Britain.  Popular varieties of black tea include darjeeling, assam and ceylon.