The 10 best black teas to buy in the UK
Black tea is the most popular type of tea sold around the world. Many black tea blends are drunk throughout the world, from Earl Grey to Assam. However, choosing the best black tea is down to personal taste, but with so many choices out there it can be difficult to find that perfect tasting black tea.
Looking to buy the best black tea product you can find? Then check out the guide below for everything you need to know:
What are black teas?
Black tea is one of the main types of tea along with green, oolong, and white tea. The main difference between each of these is the oxidization of the tea leaves, with black tea being the most oxidized of each. As a result, the tea leaves take on a black color (hence the name), while offering a much stronger flavor than other types of tea.
There are many types of black tea sold, with factors such as the type tea leaves, country of growth, and the blending of other ingredients to produce teas with distinct flavors and aromas.
Why should you buy a good black tea?
The best black teas can provide a range of benefits when consumed, but they also result in a very refreshing beverage. Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world after water, and the reason for this is rather simple - it tastes very nice! With black tea being the most popular type of tea, it’s safe to say there are many great tasting black teas out there. Black tea tastes rather strong and combines well with other additives such as milk, sugar and lemon.
With so many varieties of tea available, you can easily find something that tastes very pleasant.
How to choose the right black tea in 2024?
Looking to choose the best black tea for your taste buds? It can be quite difficult to find a great black tea without tasting it first, but here are some things that should make it easier to choose one:
- Origin: Black tea is produced in a few countries, but India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Africa remain the largest manufacturers. Each one produces their own distinct black teas, so a good way to find a suitable tea is to try them based on their country of origin. India is the largest producer of tea so it’s great country of origin to start, with popular choices such as Assam and Darjeeling.
- Flavor: While all good black tea comes with a bold flavor, there are subtle differences in the how each one tastes. For instance, the flavor of Assam tea is very malty and pairs well with milk, while Ceylon has spicy undertones that you may find appealing. Be sure to check the flavor notes by reading the packaging, or if possible have a taste of the tea before buying.
- Blends: Black tea comes in many blends, where additional ingredients are combined to produce wonderful tasting beverages. Perhaps the most famous example of this is Earl Grey, which is a black tea blended with the rind of a citrus fruit. English and Irish Breakfast Teas are another example of popular black tea blends, with the full-bodied tea being served with milk and sugar. Blended teas may be a better choice for people that are new to black tea, as their tastes aren’t too overwhelming, and they mix well with other ingredients like honey, lemon, milk, and sugar.
What is the best kind of black tea in the UK?
There are countless types of black teas, as factors such as climate, geography, and the type of tea leaf all result in different teas. Many blends of black tea also exist, all of which use different types of black tea to produce. However, the most popular and widely used black tea are as follows:
- Assam Black Tea: Grown in India, Assam tea comes with a bold, malty taste that combines well with milk and sugar. Used in many popular black tea blends too, it’s a great choice for those that like a strong taste to their tea.
- Darjeeling Black Tea: Native to a small mountainous region in India, Darjeeling tea is a much softer type of black tea that can change in flavor depending on the season it was grown. It is used to produce very popular Chai Teas, which feature exotic spices that produce a distinct flavor.
- Ceylon Black Tea: Sri Lanka produces a variety of black tea, which tastes quite different depending on the region of the country. A strong black tea, they often have a subtle spice flavor to them, namely due to Sri Lanka’s large cinnamon production.
Top 10 list of black teas in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their black teas. Which tea is the best?
- LION LOGO. The Logo is owned by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and globally trademarked.…
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED - we are confident in our brand that all our customers will…
- DIRECT FROM SOURCE & GARDEN FRESH - All SRILUXE Teas are sourced DIRECT from…
- Enjoy a Clipper cuppa: Luxury tea bags, tea gift sets, loose leaf teas, tea bags…
- Natural, organic tea, just the way it should be: We fill our plastic-free tea bags…
- The perfect every day teabags: Delicious breakfast tea bags, afternoon tea or for…
- The UK’s Favourite tea* (You Gov Q1 2024, UK’s Favourite beverage).
- PG Tips is proud to be the first UK tea brand to achieve Rainforest Alliance Cer…
- Our 1100 tea bags in bulk if perfect for the office or a large gathering or occa…
- With our excellent range of natural, fair and delicious teas, coffees and hot chocolates…
- Natural, Fair & Delicious
- Each bag in our catering size pack makes 1 cup of tea
- GOOD VALUES, GREAT TASTE: Empowered by our ethical tea partnership & sourced…
- BREWING: To ignite a moment of pause, simply brew tea for 2 to 3 minutes & enjoy…
- TEABAGS: This English Breakfast tea is vegan, sugar free & uses plant-based &…
- The UK’s Favourite tea* (You Gov Q4 2023, UK’s Favourite beverage).
- PG Tips is proud to be the first UK tea brand to achieve Rainforest Alliance Cer…
- Our tea bags individually wrapped are perfect for hygiene and freshness for the office…
- VEGAN FRIENDLY - Vegetarian, kosher and non-GM, unblended whole black leaves, high…
- FRESH - We only sell the freshly harvested tea so you can enjoy a tasty cup of t…
- BEST QUALITY INGREDIENTS - CENVEL Teas are sourced from the Finest seasonal ingredients…
- TEA PASSION: through 4 generations of tea masters, our passion to inspire the love…
- HAND PLUCKED - working with specially selected tea gardens, all our teas are lovingly…
- MILK VARIETY - our master tea tasters are always testing the combination of our English…
- Enjoy a Clipper cuppa: Luxury tea bags, tea gift sets, loose leaf teas, tea bags…
- Natural, organic tea, just the way it should be: We fill our plastic-free tea bags…
- The perfect cup every morning: Delicious breakfast tea bags, afternoon tea or for…
- The UK’s Favourite tea* (You Gov Q4 2023, UK’s Favourite beverage).
- PG Tips is proud to be the first UK tea brand to achieve Rainforest Alliance Cer…
- Our loose tea 1.5kg in bulk is perfect for the office or a large gathering or oc…
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