What is Black Tea? Famous Chinese Black Tea Types, Benefits, and How to Choose High-Quality Black Tea

What is Black Tea

Black tea is a fully fermented tea with a fermentation level of about 80%–90%.

It is made from fresh tea leaves and buds through four main processes:

Withering

Rolling

Fermentation

Drying

After full fermentation, the tea leaves become dark and glossy, and the brewed tea produces a bright red liquor with a rich aroma.

Black tea is known for its sweet, mellow, and smooth taste, with typical characteristics often described as:

Red liquor

Red leaves

Strong fragrance

Rich and mellow flavor

You can explore different varieties here:

👉 Chinese Black Tea Collection

Famous Types of Chinese Black Tea

Chinese black tea is mainly divided into three major categories.

Xiao Zhong Black Tea

This is the oldest type of black tea in the world.

The most famous example is Tongmu black tea from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian.

Traditional versions have pine-smoked aroma and longan-like sweetness, while modern versions are softer and fruitier.

👉 Lapsang Souchong Black Tea

High-grade bud tea developed from Zhengshan Xiaozhong:

Golden color

Honey aroma

Floral and fruity notes

Very smooth taste

👉 Jin Jun Mei Black Tea

Gongfu Black Tea (Regional Black Tea)

These teas are named after their producing areas and are known for refined processing.

One of the world’s three famous high-aroma black teas.

Elegant fragrance often described as floral, fruity, and honey-like.

👉 Keemun Black Tea

Made from large-leaf tea plants from Yunnan.

Golden tips visible

Strong taste

Sweet potato or honey aroma

👉 Dianhong Black Tea

Famous Sichuan black tea with orange-sugar aroma.

Smooth and sweet taste.

👉 Chuan Hong Gongfu Black Tea

Produced in Guangdong Yingde.

Strong floral aroma

Rich and sweet

Very suitable for milk tea

👉 Yingde Black Tea

Other famous Chinese black teas include:

Ninghong

Minhong

Yihong

Jiuqu Hongmei

Tanyang Gongfu

Broken Black Tea

Broken black tea has smaller leaf particles.

It is often used for export or tea bags.

Grades include:

Leaf

Broken

Fannings

Dust

This type is commonly used for commercial tea such as breakfast tea.


Why Drink Black Tea

Black tea is warm in nature and suitable for most people.

It is especially good in autumn and winter.

Benefits include:

Gentle on the stomach

After fermentation, tea polyphenols are reduced, making black tea less irritating.

Refreshing and energizing

Contains caffeine which helps reduce fatigue.

Helps digestion

Can promote metabolism and urination.

Rich in antioxidants

Contains theaflavins and thearubigins.

Good for cold weather

Warms the body and improves circulation.


Tips:

Avoid drinking strong tea on an empty stomach.

People with weak digestion can drink mild tea or add ginger.

How to Choose High-Quality Black Tea

You can judge by four steps:

Look

Good tea has tight leaves, glossy color, and sometimes golden tips.

Smell

High-quality tea has pure sweet, honey, or floral aroma.

Touch

Dry and firm leaves, not soft or damp.

Taste

Bright red liquor

Golden ring on cup edge

Smooth and sweet

No sour or burnt taste

Standards for Chinese black tea:

GB/T 13738.2 Gongfu Black Tea

GB/T 13738.3 Xiao Zhong Black Tea

More products here:

👉 Buy Chinese Black Tea Online

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