Black Tea 2025

India is the largest producer of black tea in the world. Our diverse geographies have different climatic conditions as a result India produces the highest quality black teas in the world. The best black teas are made in Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri & Sikkim. Buy fresh and authentic premium quality black teas online at reasonable prices at Teacupsfull.

The most common type of black tea in India is CTC tea which is used in tea bags, loose tea and tea shops. The other type of black tea is Orthodox tea and fannings. 

What is black tea?

The leaves of the camellia sinensis plant are used to make that steaming hot, energising cup of black tea. It's the best way to start the day. Camellia sinensis is also the source of oolong, white, and green tea. However, tisanes and fruit-flavored teas do not come from this plant.

Black tea is the most oxidised type of tea, and its flavour is usually stronger than that of the other types. Darjeeling First Flush, Darjeeling Second Flush, Assam CTC tea, Assam Orthodox, Earl Grey, Chai, and a variety of breakfast teas like Breakfast and English Breakfast are all popular black teas.

At Teacupsfull, our hearty Assam English Breakfast, Classic Assam CTC Tea, Assam Single Malt Orthodox tea, Premium Assam Blend, Sikkim Organic Black tea, Darjeeling second Flush Black tea and Masala Chai tea have also soared to the top of our best sellers list. 

Types of Black Teas

While India makes some of the best black teas in the world. It can broadly be classified as per the region and its distinctive characteristics. 

Assam Tea: Assam Black tea is robust and malty in taste and is grown in India's largest tea growing region of the east. Assam tea is most commonly used in breakfast blends as a base. 

Darjeeling Black tea: Darjeeling Tea is also known as the Champagne of teas, it is coveted as the world’s best tea. Darjeeling Black tea is very versatile and its flavour changes as per the season. Darjeeling First Flush Black tea is the most prized tea. Darjeeling Second Flush Black Tea is delicate with floral flavours and muscatel notes. 

Nilgiri Tea: Nilgiri black Tea is grown in the hills of South India, Nilgiri region is known as the Switzerland of the East and the Blue Mountains. Nilgiri Black tea has a brisk and mellow flavour with hints of fruitiness, the tea is popularly used in blends and its refreshing taste. 

Kangra Tea: Kangra black tea is produced in the Kangra Valley of northern state of Himachal Pradesh. Kangra Black tea has a musky aroma and subtle sweetness and fragrant flavours.

Sikkim Tea: Sikkim Black Tea is grown in India’s smallest state set amidst the mighty Himalayas as its background. Sikkim is India’s first organic state and Sikkim Black tea has a delicate flavour depending upon the season.

Dooars Tea: Grown in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas, Dooars black tea is a full bodied, strong with a rich flavour.  Dooars tea is used in blends as it adds to the flavour.  

Black Tea Grades

Black tea is graded as per leaf size, leaf appearance, quality and processing. The grading also depends on the origin of the region. 

Here are a few examples:

Whole Leaf Tea Grades : 

FTGFOP (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe), 

TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe), 

FTGBOP (Finest Tippy Golden Broken Orange Pekoe), 

TGBOP (Tippy Golden Broken Orange Pekoe)

Broken Leaf: FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe), 

GBOP (Golden Broken Orange Pekoe), 

BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe)

Fannings: 

GFOF (Golden Flowery Orange Fannings)

FOF (Flowery Orange Fannings)

Dust: GD (Golden Dust), D (Dust)

Is black tea healthy and good for you?

A simple cup of black tea, like most teas and tisanes, is actually good for your health in many ways. Antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols are found in black tea. Studies show that these powerful substances may lower the risk of heart disease and help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

A lot of research has been done on the health benefits of black tea. It seems that drinking one or two cups of black tea every day could help lower the risk of stroke, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, some cancers, and high cholesterol.

Having a good cup of black tea can be very satisfying. A cup of strong CTC in the morning will surely energise and wake you up. While an instant perk me up is a masala chai because of the spices in it. A cup of black tea can help us forget about our problems and calm our senses with its wonderful aroma.

Black tea taste: 

The taste of black tea, depends on the region and the season of manufacturing. For example Darjeeling First Flush Black tea will have a fruity taste, as compared to Darjeeling Second Flush which is more full bodied with a distinct muscatel flavour as compared to Assam tea which has a distinct malty taste or Nilgiri Orange Pekoe tea which has a light floral taste.

How much caffeine is there in black tea?

Camellia sinensis teas contain caffeine. Black tea is made from fully fermented black tea leaves, and contains the most caffeine, followed by oolong, green, and white teas.

Black tea has less caffeine than coffee. As an afternoon pick-me-up, black tea is less likely to cause insomnia than coffee.

The caffeine content in tea is hard to determine as black tea is a natural product harvested from the camellia sinensis plant, the caffeine content can vary by region and by rainfall and harvesting.

Coffee has more caffeine than tea. White tea has the least caffeine followed by black, oolong, and green teas.

How to make black tea ?

There are many that you can brew a cup of warm Black tea. You can choose from Teacupsfull teaware. . You could put a scoop of black tea into your handy Teacupsfull teamaker, your super chic and cute as can be teapot, or any other vessel or using our tea infuser.

Before pouring the boiling water in which your tea will steep, it's always a good idea to warm your tea cup by splashing it with boiling water, swishing it around, and then throwing it away. Most black teas don't mind being soaked in 100°C water, but Darjeeling tea is an exception. Our favourite Darjeeling tea would rather soak in 90°C water for 2–4 minutes.

There are also different ways to brew black leaf tea. Chai and breakfast teas are at their best after 2 to 4 minutes, but the sophisticated French Earl Grey says that 2 to 3 minutes is plenty, thank you very much. Another famous black tea, pu-erh, doesn't mind sitting around for 1–5 minutes. Check the brewing guide for each type of tea to make sure you make a perfect cup.

How many calories are in black tea?

Good news: plain black, green, oolong, white, or herbal tea has almost no calories as long as only boiling water is added. If you add milk and a few sugars to your cup of black tea in the morning, you're adding calories that you don't need.

Is black tea good for weight loss?

Another great reason to indulge in black tea, studies have shown that the flavonoids and catechins in black teas and particularly green tea and pu-erh can help with weight loss. Enjoy their natural goodness - adding milk or sugar will counteract the weight loss benefits.