Black Tea
The tea: This quintessential tea is the most oxidized among all types of teas, giving it a bolder taste as compared to the others. Just as oxidation process is critical to the taste and aroma of black tea, so too are terroir, cultivation and the tea grade. Generally harvested twice a year, a first flush (new two leaves and a bud), picked in early spring renders a delicate and tender and therefore more light, floral, fresh, and astringent flavor. While a second flush (larger and matured leaves), picked in May/June provides full-bodied and bolder flavour. No matter which “flush” it comes from, each batch of fresh leaf will be different from one day, one garden, one season to the next. The highest grade of black tea comes from Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri in India.
Brewing: 3 gm leaf in 200 ml water at 90-95 °C with a steeping time of 2-3 minutes is ideal. Delicate teas such as Darjeeling should be steeped for 3-4 minutes. Although long steeping time makes the taste bitter, the brewing time can be as per the drinker’s taste.
Black Tea
The tea: This quintessential tea is the most oxidized among all types of teas, giving it a bolder taste as compared to the others. Just as oxidation process is critical to the taste and aroma of black tea, so too are terroir, cultivation and the tea grade. Generally harvested twice a year, a first flush (new two leaves and a bud), picked in early spring renders a delicate and tender and therefore more light, floral, fresh, and astringent flavor. While a second flush (larger and matured leaves), picked in May/June provides full-bodied and bolder flavour. No matter which “flush” it comes from, each batch of fresh leaf will be different from one day, one garden, one season to the next. The highest grade of black tea comes from Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri in India.
Brewing: 3 gm leaf in 200 ml water at 90-95 °C with a steeping time of 2-3 minutes is ideal. Delicate teas such as Darjeeling should be steeped for 3-4 minutes. Although long steeping time makes the taste bitter, the brewing time can be as per the drinker’s taste.
English
French
