Black Tea

Black tea is made from fully oxidised leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which gives it a bold, malty, full-bodied flavour and a darker colour. It's the most widely consumed tea in the world and the base for classics like English Breakfast, Earl Grey and masala chai.

A cup of black tea contains roughly 40 to 70 mg of caffeine — less than a cup of coffee but more than green tea. The exact amount depends on the leaf, steeping time and water temperature, with longer steeps drawing out more caffeine.

Use one teaspoon of loose leaf (or one bag) per cup, pour freshly boiled water at 95 to 100°C, and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Black tea stands up well to milk and sugar, and stronger styles like Assam are ideal for a morning cup or chai.

Loose leaf black tea generally delivers a fuller, fresher flavour because the leaves are larger and less broken, releasing more nuanced aromatics. Tea bags are convenient for everyday brewing — both are great, so it comes down to your routine.

Strong, malty black teas such as Assam or a robust breakfast blend are ideal for masala chai, as they hold their own against milk and spices. Look for full-bodied loose leaf black tea when brewing chai from scratch.