Black Tea

Compared to Pu'er tea, black tea is less variable in flavor. For newcomers to the world of tea, how should they choose among different types and grades of black teas? The rule that you get what you pay for doesn't always hold true. For instance, when drinking Zhengshan Xiaozhong, one might find that the cheaper varieties are sweeter than the more expensive ones. In the case of Qimen, despite its high price, it may not be as fragrant as legend suggests. How can these differences be distinguished? Today, we will discuss some of the most prominent black teas: Zhengshan Xiaozhong, Yunnan Black, and Qimen. "Sweet Aroma" of Xiaozhong Xiaozhong is the sweetest and most fragrant, with a substantial body. It's also an excellent choice for beginners. Judging by price, the cheaper varieties tend to be heavier and more complex in taste, while the more expensive ones are smoother and softer. Newcomers may not immediately appreciate this difference, as they often prefer the direct sweetness of the cheaper Xiaozhong. If you haven't tried Zhengshan Xiaozhong, you're probably not yet initiated into the world of tea. This group includes many who are just starting or have recently started their journey. They may…...

Basic Introduction to Nepalese Black TeaDue to Nepal's proximity to the world-renowned black tea-producing region of Darjeeling, India, many Nepalese work in the tea gardens of Darjeeling. They have inherited the excellent tea-making techniques from Darjeeling, and as a result, the standard of black tea production in Nepal is also very high. The black tea here is a beverage that is very beneficial to health, providing freshness to both body and mind. Nutritional ValueBlack tea is rich in nutrients such as carotene, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, caffeine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, glutamic acid, alanine, and aspartic acid. During the fermentation process, the chemical reactions of polyphenols cause significant changes in the chemical composition of the fresh leaves. Components like theaflavins and thearubigins are produced, and the aroma becomes more pronounced than in the fresh leaves, forming the unique color, aroma, and flavor of black tea. Product CharacteristicsThe milk tea in Nepal is basically made with local black tea. The black tea is quite delicate, and the small wooden boxes used for storing the tea leaves are very exquisite and worth collecting. Tasting and Serving MethodsIt can be enjoyed plain or mixed.* Plain Drinking Method: Take a small amount of…...

Tea enthusiasts often keep a substantial amount of tea at home. Some may even store their tea in the fridge, or purchase a small fridge specifically for this purpose.However, this is a common misconception. Whether tea should be stored in the fridge depends on the type of tea. Here are some general guidelines for storing tea in the fridge: 1. Suitable for Refrigeration Green tea and lightly oxidized Oolong tea. Among the six major types of tea, green tea is the most prone to spoilage and requires extra care during storage. You can place the tea in a sealed tea tin, put it in a sealed bag, and then store it in the fridge. Lightly oxidized Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess) and Phoenix Dancong tea that has been dehumidified can also be stored in the fridge. 2. Not Suitable for Refrigeration Dark tea, Pu'er tea, traditionally processed Oolong tea, aged teas, and white tea. Pu'er tea, white tea, and dark tea emphasize the value derived from aging. Storing these teas in the fridge not only risks dampness but also reduces the activity of biological enzymes within the tea, which affects the tea's transformation efficiency. Traditionally processed Oolong teas, such as Wuyi Rock…...

In recent years, Yunnan Province has continuously transformed its resource advantages into strengths for green development, driving the growth of the Yun tea industry. These tiny leaves clearly embody the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." How can we continue to consolidate the advantages of Yun tea? In my opinion, we should focus on quality and safety, brand cultivation, and industrial integration to enable "small tea leaves" to make a "big splash." To enhance quality, we must ensure product safety. Green is the foundation of Yun tea's development, and we need to adhere to a green development path without compromising on quality and safety. Firstly, we should promote green supply. We should improve tea garden infrastructure, support the improvement of low-efficiency tea gardens, comprehensively implement green production in tea gardens, and promote a transformation towards green and low-carbon production methods to create an "ecological tea." Secondly, we should standardize production. We should guide tea enterprises to adopt clean and standardized production practices, strengthen supervision of the quality and safety of tea products during production, processing, and sales, and create a "reassuring tea." Thirdly, we should implement digital traceability. We should actively develop and utilize anti-counterfeiting label…...

The Chinese yearning for natural landscapes is inscribed in our very genes. When climbing mountains, one expresses emotions through them; when seeing water, sentiments are felt within it. Since ancient times, countless literati and poets have poured their true feelings into the vast expanse of nature. Every blade of grass, every tree, every cliff, and every ravine in Wuyi Mountain reveals its beauty in the leisurely flow of wild streams and the grandeur of bell sounds at great heights, standing out in the southeast of China. 01 WUYI MOUNTAIN Jade peaks and emerald covers, blue waters and vermilion mountains Transformed by wind and rain into jade bones, they defy ordinary interpretations. In his fifties, Lu You, serving as the vice magistrate of Jian'ning Prefecture in northern Fujian, was captivated by the wonders of Wuyi Mountain. Here, he brewed tea, enjoyed it, composed poetry, and wrote magnificent verses such as "A Tour of Wuyi Mountain." The Wuyi Mountains, stretching for thousands of miles, are a significant feature in southeastern China. With hundreds of peaks over 1,000 meters high, Wuyi Mountain stands tall, its main peak Huanggang Mountain reaching 2,160.8 meters, rivaling the Five Great Mountains, and known as the "Roof of…...

A few days ago, a tea enthusiast asked me: how to select a purple clay pot for brewing Pu'er? I will share some common knowledge regarding this topic today. Pot Capacity On this issue, everyone's opinion is relatively consistent. The capacity of the purple clay pot used for brewing Pu'er tea is generally larger than that used for brewing Oolong tea. This is because the leaves of Yunnan large-leaf tea are relatively large. A larger pot allows the leaves to fully expand and release their intrinsic substances. On the other hand, small pots are preferred for Oolong tea to extract its aroma, so the pot cannot be large. A pot of about 180 milliliters (ml) to 200 ml is generally suitable for brewing Pu'er. Of course, a larger pot can also be chosen depending on the number of people drinking. ▲ Qin Quan Pot, No. 4 Well Composite Ore, 300 cc 02 Pot Shape Selection A pot with a large neck and full ear bucket is suitable for brewing Pu'er tea. The water outlet must be good, with a straight spout, and a sword spout is best. The lid opening should not be too small, as a small opening is…...

At 9 a.m. on August 4, Tan Xianglan delved into the lush tea bushes, pinching a tender tea bud between her thumb and index finger, smiling as she demonstrated to over thirty other tea pickers: "Everyone should snap it like I do; you must not pinch it. Only by snapping can the harvested tea maintain its quality!" Tea leaves (file photo) Tan Xianglan, 51 years old, is from Longquan Village, Changchi Town, Nanjiang County, Bazhong City. Due to poverty in her childhood, she dropped out of school at an early age. From the moment she carefully kneaded her first handful of tea, she knew that her life would be inseparable from tea. With sheer determination, Tan Xianglan worked tirelessly for decades, transforming from an obscure peasant woman into a prominent tea grower in Nanjiang. Her life has become increasingly prosperous. While doing tea business, she realized that the high-quality and excellent-tasting Nanjiang tea could indeed lead to prosperity for local residents. She also led her neighbors towards a path of wealth and rural revitalization. She still remembers a day in 2018 when a customer contacted her to order eight pounds of tea. For the then-struggling Tan Xianglan, this was a…...

Boiling tea can be seen as an advanced method compared to steeping. Typically, boiling is used when the full depth of flavor cannot be extracted by steeping alone, as boiling makes the tea more aromatic and robust. Generally, older teas are better suited for boiling because they are more resilient and have a richer and varied internal quality. Examples include aged white tea, aged Pu'er tea, and aged Tieguanyin oolong. Tea can be boiled directly or after initial steeping. Lighter teas like white tea are suitable for direct boiling in a pot, while stronger teas such as dark teas benefit from being steeped in a covered bowl for four to five rounds before boiling, preventing the resulting brew from being overly strong. What Kinds of Tea Can Be Boiled? Which Teas Are Best for Boiling? 1. Young White Tea Should Be Steeped; Aged White Tea Is Better Suited for BoilingWhite tea is a minimally processed tea that is sun-dried or gently oven-dried, giving it a distinctive silver color and "green with white" appearance. Its aroma is gentle, and its liquor is light. White tea is typically categorized into Silver Needle (pure buds), White Peony (one bud and one or two…...

Storing black tea in a tin can is ideal: Black tea, being a fully fermented tea, has stable internal components and can be stored at room temperature. The shelf life of loose black tea is 18 months, paper-bagged black tea lasts for 24 months, and canned black tea can be preserved for three years. Furthermore, when storing black tea, it should be sealed and kept at room temperature, in a cool, dry place away from moisture and odors. The shelf life of black tea is relatively short, generally around one year. To store black tea, it typically needs to be placed in a dry and sealed container, then stored in a dry and cool environment. Tin cans or cans made of tin are optimal, and refrigeration is not necessary. When storing black tea, choose a dry, low-temperature, and light-protected environment. Moisture easily promotes bacterial growth; thus, the moisture content of the tea cannot be too high. If it is, the tea will lose its nutrients and may become moldy or spoil. Therefore, the tea must be stored in a dry environment. If the temperature is too high, the nutritional components in the tea will break down quickly, reducing the tea's…...

China is the birthplace of tea, and the habit of drinking tea among its people dates back thousands of years, with virtually every household keeping a selection of teas on hand. Tea, one of the most popular daily beverages, serves more than just to quench thirst. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that tea is rich in various medicinal components, such as tea polyphenols, tea polysaccharides, alkaloids, vitamins, and so forth, which offer excellent health benefits to the human body. This is especially true for those suffering from the three highs (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar) and cardiovascular diseases, who can experience surprising benefits from long-term tea consumption. Drinking More Tea Helps Control the Three Highs and Protects Blood Vessels 1. Catechins Can Help Lower Blood Pressure The American College of Cardiology compiled 21 valid studies involving 1,323 participants and found that compared to non-tea drinkers, tea drinkers had an average systolic blood pressure reduction of 1.8 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure reduction of 1.4 mmHg. The blood pressure-lowering effects were even more pronounced after 12 weeks of tea consumption. The secret lies in the antioxidant catechins contained within tea, which open protein channels on the membranes…...

On a hot summer day, inside the processing workshop of Guicha Tea Industry Co., Ltd., Tongren, Guizhou (hereafter referred to as Guicha Company), located at the foot of the World Natural Heritage site Fanjing Mountain, machines hum and the air is filled with the aroma of tea."Products such as matcha powder, matcha lattes, matcha cookies, matcha noodles, and matcha chocolates are being produced at an accelerated pace in the 'World-Class Matcha Mega Factory' workshop." According to Lan Fangqiang, Deputy General Manager of Guicha Company, the company's matcha production and sales exceeded 1,000 tons in 2023, with 40% exported overseas. Workers in the Guicha Company production workshop are busy in an orderly manner. On July 31st, the "Innovative Journey for Regional Coordination and Development" media tour visited the world's largest matcha production base – Guicha Tea Industry Co., Ltd., Tongren, Guizhou, to witness the grandeur of the "World-Class Matcha Mega Factory." Guicha Company was established in March 2017 as a modern enterprise that integrates planting, research and development, production, and marketing. The company has invested a total of 600 million RMB to build the Guicha Industrial Park covering 340 acres at the foot of the World Natural Heritage site "Fanjing Mountain."…...

As is well known, although black tea is a fermented tea, it does not have a particularly long shelf life. Generally, the shelf life of black tea is around one year. For second harvest and autumn-harvested black teas, the shelf life can extend to 1-2 years. However, some types of black tea may have a longer shelf life, typically around two years. If not stored properly, the tea can spoil quickly. Therefore, let's look at some storage taboos for black tea. Storage Precautions for Black Tea 1. Avoid Light Avoid placing the container with black tea in direct sunlight; instead, store it in a cool, dry place. Direct sunlight can degrade the components within the tea, altering its color and flavor. 2. Low Temperature Black tea, being a fully fermented tea, should be stored at a low temperature, such as sealed and placed in the refrigerator. High temperatures can further promote fermentation, leading to changes in the chemical composition of the tea over time, which can degrade the active components and cause the tea to spoil. 3. Keep Dry Drying is a step in the production process of black tea, making the leaves susceptible to absorbing moisture. Moisture absorption can…...