Black Tea

Black teas are actually known as "Red Tea" or Hong Cha in China. They are fully oxidized which brings out caramel, chocolate, and tannic flavors more boldly than in other types of tea. After picking, the leaves are layed out and allowed to wither for a long period of time. They are then rolled and allowed to oxidize and dry further before being heated to remove any remaining moisture. As a category, black teas can include a wide variety of flavors such as: malty, dry, smoky, spicy, sweet, muscatel, floral, earthy, and fruity.

Black tea leaves come from two different varieties of tea plant: Sinensis and Assamica. Sinensis is used in Chinese teas as well as in Highland India and Nepal. Sinensis leaves are smaller and more delicate, whereas Assamica leaves (produced in Lowland India, Sri Lanka, and all other regions) are broader and more robust. Some of our black teas have been aromatized, flavored with oil after the drying stage to give a unique drinking experience.

Quick view
A side-by-side comparison of Darjeeling Second Flush leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are dark brown with spots of pale green. On the right, the steeped tea is a pale orange color.
Darjeeling Second Flush (Summer)
$7.50
Quick view
A side-by-side comparison of Ceylon Tiger River leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are a black color, and resemble small twigs. On the right, the steeped tea has a brown-red color.
Ceylon Tiger River
$12.00
Quick view
A side-by-side comparison of Dian Hong leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are small and range from light brown to dark brown in color. On the right, the steeped tea is a rich orange.
Dian Hong
$7.00
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Burmese Wild Red
Burmese Wild Red
$8.00
Quick view
A side-by-side comparison of Kenyan FOP leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are small, black, and tightly curled. On the right, the steeped tea is a rich orange color.
Kenyan FOP
$6.00
A side-by-side comparison of Darjeeling Second Flush leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are dark brown with spots of pale green. On the right, the steeped tea is a pale orange color.
A close-up of Darjeeling Second Flush tea leaves. The leaves are loosely coiled into spirals, and range in color from muted brown-green to black with hints of orange.
A side-by-side comparison of Darjeeling Second Flush leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are dark brown with spots of pale green. On the right, the steeped tea is a pale orange color.
A close-up of Darjeeling Second Flush tea leaves. The leaves are loosely coiled into spirals, and range in color from muted brown-green to black with hints of orange.

Darjeeling Second Flush (Summer)

$7.50

[darr-jee-ling]

In the Darjeeling region of India, the second tea harvest takes place just before the rainy season, over the course of fifty days from the end of May to early July. The color of the infusion is darker than the First Flush, and this tea has more body. The flowery, astringent flavor and light caramel aroma of the teas picked at this time has led to comparisons with the famous wines of Bordeaux. Rather small green-yellow leaves with darker tips float in the pot. Drinking this organic tea calls to mind late nights spent laughing with good friends.

Darjeeling Second Flush is sold for $7.50 / oz.

A side-by-side comparison of Ceylon Tiger River leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are a black color, and resemble small twigs. On the right, the steeped tea has a brown-red color.
A close-up of the Ceylon Tiger River leaves. They range from black to red-black. They are small, narrow, and twisted into a slight tube. They resemble twigs.
The Ceylon Tiger River box is orange with a red lion holding a flowering tea cup drawn in the center. English lettering reads: "Tiger River. Leaves Ceylon Tea. From Kandy Area. Packed in Sri Lanka."
A side-by-side comparison of Ceylon Tiger River leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are a black color, and resemble small twigs. On the right, the steeped tea has a brown-red color.
A close-up of the Ceylon Tiger River leaves. They range from black to red-black. They are small, narrow, and twisted into a slight tube. They resemble twigs.
The Ceylon Tiger River box is orange with a red lion holding a flowering tea cup drawn in the center. English lettering reads: "Tiger River. Leaves Ceylon Tea. From Kandy Area. Packed in Sri Lanka."

Ceylon Tiger River

$12.00

[say-lon]

An excellent, fully aromatic leaf tea known as low-elevation tea from the Kandy region of the Island of Sri Lanka. It produces a rich, smokey infusion in the cup, reminiscent of Assam tea, and with a slightly sweet cocoa aftertaste. Suitable for solitary tea drinkers.

Ceylon Tiger River is sold in a 100g box for $12.00.

A side-by-side comparison of Dian Hong leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are small and range from light brown to dark brown in color. On the right, the steeped tea is a rich orange.
A close-up of Dian Hong leaves. They are small, twisted into curls and tube shapes, and range in color from orange to dark brown.
A side-by-side comparison of Dian Hong leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are small and range from light brown to dark brown in color. On the right, the steeped tea is a rich orange.
A close-up of Dian Hong leaves. They are small, twisted into curls and tube shapes, and range in color from orange to dark brown.

Dian Hong

$7.00

[dee-en hong]          Yunnan Red

This aromatic black tea from the southwestern province of Yunnan, Dian Hong features fine, evenly-rolled mahogany-colored leaves with an abundance of orange-gold tips. Crimson infusions bow with a layered fragrance and subtly tart and spicy flavors, malty and faintly reminiscent of citrus. Its strong character and lively flavor make it a good tea for starting a busy day or having an interesting conversation. Bold and brassy.

Dian Hong is sold for $7.00 / oz.

Burmese Wild Red
Burmese Wild Red

Burmese Wild Red

$8.00

Burmese Red Tea from the Shan State in the eastern part of the country. It is an oxidized leaf tea from semi-wild tea plants with a cocoa nib and flower scent. The taste is reminiscent of the wild teas from Vietnam or China, but is unique, as it has almost no astringency. This wild, naturally grown tea fosters forgotten memories of a dark chocolate ganache and edible flowers on a celebratory cake. 

Burmese Wild Red tea is sold for $8.00 / oz.

A side-by-side comparison of Kenyan FOP leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are small, black, and tightly curled. On the right, the steeped tea is a rich orange color.
A close-up of Kenyan FOP leaves. They are dark brown and fairly uniform in color. They are tightly curled and spiral around one another, looking like twigs from a distance. They have a Meets EU Standards certification.
A side-by-side comparison of Kenyan FOP leaves and steeped tea. On the left, the leaves are small, black, and tightly curled. On the right, the steeped tea is a rich orange color.
A close-up of Kenyan FOP leaves. They are dark brown and fairly uniform in color. They are tightly curled and spiral around one another, looking like twigs from a distance. They have a Meets EU Standards certification.

Kenyan FOP

$6.00

A tea from the equatorial region of Africa, dark in the cup and richly sweet in taste. This fragrant black tea is produced in the Kerichio valley and carries a creamy, full bodied taste. It is sweet with a slight acidic twist of fresh vine-ripened tomatoes. For lovers of the scorching sun, hippopotami, and long summers. Suitable for a fun filled afternoon.

The grade specification- FOP- indicates that this tea is comprised of whole, unbroken leaves. FOP signifies a high-quality tea with a long leaf and few buds.

Kenyan FOP is sold for $6.00 / oz.