Black Tea Brewing Guide: How to Make The Perfect Brew Every Time
Black tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world; appreciated for its full-bodied flavour and versatility, it stars in iconic drinks, such as English breakfast blend, Bubble Tea, Iced tea and Chai tea.
Understanding proper brewing techniques is crucial for enhancing the flavour, as elements such as water temperature, steeping time, and tea-to-water ratio all impact the final brew. In this blog, we cover everything you need to know to brew black tea.
What is Black Tea?
Black tea is one of the most common types of tea, and is drunk throughout the world. Black tea was first created roughly 400 years ago in China, but it quickly became popular in Europe, where it has become central in the cultures and cuisines of many countries; most notably the UK, Ireland, Turkey and Russia.
Black tea is made from camellia sinensis leaves, which are processed until all the moisture has been removed and the tea leaves turn black.
Types of Black Tea
There are a few different types of black tea, as it is grown all over the world. We’ve highlighted the main three below and outlined their key characteristics
Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a light black tea. It is named after the region in India where it is grown, right at the bottom of the Himalayas. Darjeeling tea is renowned for its delicate and complex flavour profile. It offers a light, floral, and fruity taste with hints of muscatel; the flavour varies depending on the harvest season—spring harvests produce tea which is more floral and lively, while autumn harvests may have a richer, more mellow character. Best enjoyed without milk.
Ceylon
Ceylon tea is a full-bodied black tea, typically described as having a brisk, crisp flavour, redolent of citrus fruit. Named after the colonial name for Sri Lanka, where all Ceylon tea comes from. Its invigorating character means that it is often used in Breakfast teas, such as our own English Breakfast and Golden London Breakfast. It is versatile enough to be enjoyed with a splash of milk, or on its own.
Tip: Ceylon’s briskness can be delicious paired with a slice of lemon in either a hot or iced tea.
Assam
Typically the most full-bodied black tea, and beloved for its robust and bold flavour. Grown only in the Assam region of India, this rich, malty tea boasts tones of caramel, and is recommended for those who enjoy a strong brew, or who enjoy milk and sugar with their tea, although the more premium Assam teas, such as our Assam Mangalam, can be delicious on their own. Due to its hearty strength, Assam is typically used as the base for Chai.
Best Temperature to Brew Black Tea
Black tea is typically best brewed with boiling water 100 Celsius or 212 Fahrenheit). Hotter temperature brings out the most flavour, and black tea can withstand heat quite well (unlike green tea and matcha).
While brewing with hot water is most common, you can cold brew black tea; this unlocks a whole new layer of complex yet delicate flavours, and is perfect if you're craving something truly thirst-quenching.
For cold-brewing, we recommend Darjeeling or Ceylon. You can view the full guide to Cold Brew as well our Fruit-Infused Cold Brew recipes.
How Long to Brew Black Tea
We recommend brewing black tea for 3-5 minutes. The longer you brew the tea, the more flavour you will get; so if you enjoy a strong cup, allow 5 minutes; if you prefer a lighter brew or are drinking it black, aim for 3 minutes.
If you brew black tea for more than 5 minutes, you will find that the flavour becomes overly bitter and astringent, and is not as pleasant to drink.
If you are used to store-bought teabags, you may find that specialty tea does not brew as quickly. This is because they use much lower quality tea made up of broken leaves, providing a greater surface area for a faster infusion. The poor quality leaves and the speedy brewing time make a strong but superficial flavour, which lakes the complexity and nuanced flavour that good quality tea should have.
Step-by-Step Guide to Brewing Black Tea
Offer a simple, clear guide on how to brew black tea properly, including measurements, water temperature, steeping time, and serving suggestions
Measure the Tea:
Use 3 to 4 grams of black tea leaves.
Prepare the Water:
Heat 200 ml of water to approximately 100°C (boiling point).
Steep the Tea:
Place the tea leaves in your teapot or infuser. Pour the hot water over the leaves.
Steeping Time:
Allow the tea to steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preferred strength.
Serve:
Remove the tea leaves and enjoy your freshly brewed black tea.
The Health Benefits of Black Tea
Boosts Mindfulness
Tea contains a unique chemical known as L-Theanine. Studies have shown a link between L-theanine and decreased levels of stress and anxiety. With tea, you can therefore enjoy the benefits of a caffeinated brew with a reduced risk of side effects.
For a tea that truly supports mindfulness, discover our SANE Tea Break Blend. 100% off profits go to mental health charity SANE, to support their vital work.
Rich in antioxidants
Black tea is bursting with antioxidants, which are crucial in protecting your body's cells from damage caused by free radicals—unstable molecules that can contribute to aging and various diseases, including heart disease and cancer. By consuming a cup a day, you can lower the risk of these diseases.
Good for the heart
The antioxidants in black tea, especially theaflavins and catechins, help lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. Additionally, the antioxidant content of black can help lower inflammation in the blood vessels, helping to combat chronic inflammation which contributes to heart disease.
Common Mistakes When Brewing Black Tea (And How to Avoid Them)
While brewing black tea is really simple, there are a few common mistakes you want to avoid to ensure you enjoy the best cup!
Mistake: Brewing tea for too long
If you brew black tea for more than 5 minutes, you will find that the flavour becomes overly bitter and astringent, and is not as pleasant to drink.
Mistake: Brewing tea for not long enough
High quality loose-leaf tea do not infuse as quickly as store-bought teabags. If you do not allow a minimum of 3 minutes for the leaves to infuse, you will have a weak cup that fails to bring out the true flavour of the tea, and will only get weaker if you add milk.
Mistake: Not using boiling water
Black tea is quite forgiving and can handle boiling temperatures; in fact, to truly bring out the best in a hot cup of tea, you need to use 100C water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Tea Brewing
Can I brew black tea in a teapot?
Yes of course! Black tea in a teapot is one of the quintessential features of an English Afternoon tea! This traditional brewing method can elevate your tea experience. If you’re looking for a teapot, you can browse our range here.
Is black tea good for weight loss?
Black tea may aid in weight loss due to its low calorie content. A mug of black tea contains approximately 2 calories, making it nearly calorie-free. Adding a splash of semi-skimmed milk increases the calorie count to about 13, while including a spoonful of sugar raises it to around 35 calories.
Additionally, black tea can help you feel full and manage those times between meals when cravings for snacks arise, and is a much healthier alternative to sugary soft drinks.
For weight loss purposes, it is best to consume black tea without milk or sugar.
Can I re-brew black tea leaves?
Yes! If you buy high quality tea, you should be able to get multiple brews out of the same set of leaves. You can typically rebrew good black tea 2-3 times.
The flavour will typically get less intense with each brew, but we always say that if you’re still enjoying the flavour, keep re-steeping!
Tip: Try to rebrew the leaves in the same sitting; no more than 2 hours between each steep for hygienic reasons.
Make The Perfect Cup of Black Tea with Tea Makers of London
Enjoy your perfect cup of black tea by following these simple tips and techniques. Whether you prefer it strong or light, hot or iced, mastering the brewing process will ensure every sip is a delight!
You can shop our full Black Tea Collection.
Black tea has such a rich history; you can learn all about the 19th century origins of Darjeeling, or the different varieties of Chai.
