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Darjeeling Namring / First Flush FTGFOP 1  Black Tea
Darjeeling Namring
First Flush FTGFOP 1 Black Tea
A top quality, distinctive Darjeeling tea  with the characteristic flavour only one of the best first flush teas will provide An extravagant garden tea with the unforgettable fresh and flowery taste Available in 100g and 1kg bags
from £10.40
4
Darjeeling Tumsong / First Flush Organic Black Tea
Organic
Darjeeling Tumsong
First Flush Organic Black Tea
A truly wonderful organic First Flush Darjeeling tea. Flowery and sparkling with a highly aromatic taste Available in 100g and 1kg bags
from £11.80
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Darjeeling Chamong FTGFOP1 / Second Flush Organic Black Tea
Organic
Darjeeling Chamong FTGFOP1
Second Flush Organic Black Tea
Elegant and refreshing organic Second Flush Darjeeling tea Sold in 100g bags
from £9.80
Darjeeling Margaret's Hope / Second Flush Black Tea
Best Seller
Darjeeling Margaret's Hope
Second Flush Black Tea
A finely balanced Darjeeling bustling with character.  A firm favourite amongst Connoisseurs of Darjeeling tea.  Sold in 100g bags
from £12.80
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Darjeeling Selection / Organic Black Tea
Organic
Darjeeling Selection
Organic Black Tea
A mature composition from the highlands of Darjeeling.  Excellent pickings from the end of the second flush season: a full-bodied and intense bouquet in the cup. Sold in 100g bags
from £8.00
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Passion Fruit / Flavoured Black Tea
A Cup of Tea Favourite
Passion Fruit
Flavoured Black Tea
A passionately exotic flavoured Darjeeling & Ceylon blend. Sold in 100g bag
£10.20
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Ronnefeldt Spring Darjeeling Organic
Organic
Ronnefeldt Spring Darjeeling
Organic
Superbly balanced Himalayan Darjeeling of outstanding quality Refreshing and relaxing delicate first flush spring picked tea. Sold in 250g bags
£28.00
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Assam Leaf OP
Assam Leaf OP
Loose Leaf - Black Tea
Golden cup with a strong and malty flavour Drink anytime with or without milk Sold in 100g bags  
from £6.70
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Assam Melange
Assam Melange
A melange of Assam teas create a full-bodied, earthy and malty cup. A good all rounder and has enough body to take a dash of milk. Sold in 100g bags
£6.20
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Winter Fairy Tale / Flavoured Black Tea
Winter Fairy Tale
Flavoured Black Tea
Delicious blend of black tea with spices and orange-cinnamon flavours Christmas in a cup! Sold in 100g bag  
£9.60
5

Assam Mokalbarie
Assam Mokalbarie
Assam FTGFOP1 Mokalbarie  (Finest, Tippy, Golden, Flowery, Orange, Pekoe) A classic Assam from one of the best known tea gardens Malty, spicy with an extravagant, lively taste with many golden tips Sold in 100g bags
£12.80
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Assam Sewpur Organic GFBOP
Organic
Assam Sewpur
Organic GFBOP
Soft and aromatic organic Assam tea Mildly aromatic with a full bodied cup Sold in 100g bags
£8.70
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Builder's Cup (Assam/Java Blend)
Builder's Cup
(Assam/Java Blend)
A robust and characterful composition of top quality Assam and Java teas. Sold in 100g bags
£5.60
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Assam Golden Tips / Black Tea
New
Assam Golden Tips
Black Tea
A rich and aromatic tippy Assam- malty and soft thanks to the leaf tips. Sold in a 100g bag
£8.20
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Assam Meleng GFBOP / Black Tea
New
Assam Meleng GFBOP
Black Tea
A classic Assam from Northern India, a full-bodied and malty taste.  Sold in 100g bag
£6.90
4
Irish Breakfast / Black Tea
Irish Breakfast
Black Tea
A full bodied classic black tea with a strong and robust character. Sold in 100g bags
£6.80
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Assam TeabagsAssam Teabags
Assam Teabags
A typical Assam tea. Easy to drink with little tannin. Strong, malty and highly aromatic. 1 box contains 20 tea bags
£4.30
Ronnefeldt Tea-Caddy®
Assam Bari Tea Bags
An extravagant broken tea with a multitude of golden tips and the richest of aromas: strong, spicy and malty Packed in servings of 100 (5 boxes of 20 teabags) For use in teapots up to 0.45L Please allow 5 - 7 days for orders to be dispatched
Was £45.70 Now from £17.45
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English Breakfast Tea
English Breakfast Tea
A robust, fruity, full flavoured black tea The best tea to start the day. Sold in 100g bags
£8.70
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Spicy Cookies / Flavoured Black & Green Tea
New
Spicy Cookies
Flavoured Black & Green Tea
Black teas from Ceylon & India, complimented by a little Chinese green tea to create the base of this warming seasonal infusion.  The aroma of Spicy Cookies baked to perfection.  Sold in 100g bags
£7.80
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English Breakfast St.Andrews / Black Tea
English Breakfast St.Andrews
Black Tea
A robust and full-bodied breakfast tea, St. Andrews is an exceptional blend This tea is truly a great way to start your day. Sold in 100g bags  
£7.20
Decaffeinated Breakfast Tea Ceylon OP
Decaffeinated
Decaffeinated Breakfast Tea
Ceylon OP
A tangy fruity Ceylon Orange Pekoe tea Gently decaffeinated Sold in 100g bags
£12.60

Ceylon Orange Pekoe / Black Tea
Ceylon Orange Pekoe
Black Tea
A classic black, aromatic Ceylon tea Sold in 100g bags
£6.20
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Five O'Clock Afternoon Black Tea
Five O'Clock
Afternoon Black Tea
Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up, this blend of Ceylon and Assam black teas is perfect with a biscuit of a piece of cake. Sold in 100g bags
£6.20

Ronnefeldt Light & Late Decaffeinated Breakfast Tea
Decaffeinated
Ronnefeldt Light & Late
Decaffeinated Breakfast Tea
A tangy fruity Ceylon tea Gently decaffeinated Sold in 100g bags
£9.10
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Nuwara Eliya Ceylon
Nuwara Eliya Ceylon
Black Tea
A highly aromatic black tea Delicate, tart tea Sold in 100g bags
£7.90
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Ronnefeldt Teavelope® Decaffeinated Black TeaRonnefeldt Teavelope® Decaffeinated Black Tea
Decaffeinated
Ronnefeldt Teavelope®
Decaffeinated Black Tea
Full-bodied decaffeinated Sumatran tea Lively and aromatic in taste 1 box contains 25 tea bags
£5.50
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Ronnefeldt Teavelope® Breakfast Tea - stronger brewRonnefeldt Teavelope® Breakfast Tea - stronger brew
Ronnefeldt Teavelope®
Breakfast Tea - stronger brew
Stronger darker breakfast blend Perfect with milk 1 box contains 25 tea bags  
£5.50
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Ronnefeldt Joy of Tea English Breakfast Tea BagsRonnefeldt Joy of Tea English Breakfast Tea Bags
Ronnefeldt Joy of Tea
English Breakfast Tea Bags
A blend of the best of Ceylon Uva Highland teas A delicious fruity – tangy mix  1 box contains 15 tea bags
from £4.10
China Keemun / Black Tea
A Cup of Tea Favourite
China Keemun
An elegant low caffeinated black tea with a rounded flavour. Great as a tea to drink throughout the day. Sold in 100g bag
£6.20
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Golden Yunnan / Black Tea
New
Golden Yunnan
Black Tea
An exceptional Yunnan. Sold in 100g bag
£7.60
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Lapsang Souchong / Flavoured Black Tea
Best Seller
Lapsang Souchong
Flavoured Black Tea
A heavenly smoked flavour with a beautiful deep round taste. Sold in 100g bag
£6.80
5

Yunnan Imperial Organic / Black Tea
Organic
Yunnan Imperial Organic
Black Tea
Organic Black Chinese Tea. Sweet and slightly smoky.   Sold in 100g bag
£8.90
5
Pu Erh / Black Tea
New
Pu Erh
Black Tea
An Earthy black speciality tea with a distinct flavour Sold in 100g bag
£6.80
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Queens Tea Black Tea Blend
A Cup of Tea Favourite
Queens Tea Black Tea Blend
A stimulating yet mild blend of Darjeeling and Ceylon  to tease your senses. Flowery, fruity and fresh. Sold in 100g bag
from £6.80
Morning Cuppa Organic
Organic
Morning Cuppa Organic
Flavourful but strong black tea Drink black or with a little milk to taste Sold in 100g bag
£7.10
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Russian Caravan Organic
Organic
Russian Caravan Organic
A classic smoky and strong black tea blend . Sold in 100g bag
£8.90
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Traditional English Organic
Organic
Traditional English Organic
Strong, tasty and perfect for any time of the day Black broken grade tea Sold in 100g bag
£6.20

English Breakfast St James
English Breakfast St James
A tangy and sparkling Ceylon leaf tea, a great choice for a breakfast tea. Sold in 100g bags
£7.20
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Golden Assam Sankar FTGFOP
New
Golden Assam Sankar FTGFOP
Black Tea
A delicate Assam defined by it's golden tips and malty nuances. 
£9.80

Rooibos Earl Grey / Herbal Tea
Caffeine Free
Rooibos Earl Grey
Herbal Tea
High grown Rooibos with the citrus lift of bergamot Caffeine free Sold in 100g bag
£8.40
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Sencha Earl Grey Organic
Sencha Earl Grey Organic
A lovely combination of sencha and earl grey to tantalise the taste buds Sold in 100g bag
£8.70
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Cinnamon Cocoa / Flavoured Black Tea
Cinnamon Cocoa
Flavoured Black Tea
Warming and comforting flavoured black tea Assam tea blended with cinnamon, ginger and cocoa nibs  
£9.80
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Earl Grey Special / Flavoured Black Tea
Earl Grey Special
Flavoured Black Tea
A richly aromatic black tea with the refreshing citrus aroma of bergamot Sold in 100g bags
£8.20
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Marzipan / Flavoured Black Tea
Marzipan
Flavoured Black Tea
Flavoured Black Tea with marzipan flavour. Sold in 100g bag CONTAINS NUTS
£6.60
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Irish Malt Chocolate / Flavoured Black Tea
A Cup of Tea Favourite
Irish Malt Chocolate
Flavoured Black Tea
Flavoured black tea with whiskey and cocoa flavours Sold in 100g bag
from £6.80
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Masala Chai / Flavoured Black Tea
A Cup of Tea Favourite
Masala Chai
A black Ceylon tea combined with Indian chai spices. Bursting with flavour! Sold in 100g bag
£6.20
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Turmeric Chai / Flavoured Black Tea
New
Turmeric Chai
Flavoured Black Tea
Our Turmeric Chai is heavily influenced by Ayurvedic philosophy. A harmonious blend of black tea and indian spices with the magic of turmeric.  Sold in 100g bags    
£6.90
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The History of Black Tea

 

When it comes to popularity in the West, black tea stands head and shoulders above the rest. Made from the same tea leaves as green and oolong tea, black tea owes its characteristics to the way that it is produced.

As green tea is unfermented, and oolong semifermented, so black tea is a fully fermented tea: that is to say, one whose leaves are left to oxidise completely. 

Black tea was first produced in the Fujian province during the Ming Dynasty.

There are different versions of this story but one legend says that an army entering the Fujian Province were exhausted and so stopped for a rest. They just so happened to stop near a tea factory where the leaves were drying out in the sun.

The army wanted to try these leaves and needed to speed up the drying process so they could carry on with their journey after their rest. To do so, they decided to smoke the leaves and inadvertently invented the Lapsang Souchong variation of black tea.

Another story goes that the famous Emperor Shennong, Father of Agriculture, had an awareness of health and hygiene far ahead of his time.

He believed that all water should be boiled before it was consumed so on a long journey one day he made his servants sit down and boil some water.

Some leaves from a nearby Camellia tree accidently blew into the water and the water turned brown and black tea infused! He tried the liquid and enjoyed it.

Black tea remains the most popular tea variety worldwide with a rich cultural importance in many countries.

Originally, black tea was dried and stored in bricks enabling it to retain its distinct colour and flavour for many years and was therefore historically used as an important bargaining tool in trade agreements. This was well before people knew much about food preservation. T

he drying method would also ferment the tea in a way that would increase the amount of caffeine per cup compared to other teas. The caffeine was important because this meant black tea could be used to boost energy for meditating monks, those on long voyages or for medicinal purposes.

While all black teas tend to be stronger in taste, and higher in caffeine, than the less-fermented teas, their other characteristics are far from uniform.

Black teas come in a kaleidoscope of flavours – and we are proud to stock some of the best from around the world.

Popular varieties of black tea include Darjeeling teawidely acknowledged to be the finest black tea in the world, Assam tea  and Ceylon tea, including the classic English Breakfast.

the production of black tea

 

Immediately after picking, the fresh green leaves start their journey through the five stages of traditional tea production as described below

Withering

The tea is spread out on large withering racks and fanned with warm air for around 12 – 18 hours. This is how long the withering process takes, during which the leaf loses up to 60% of its moisture and a considerable amount of its volume.

Rolling

In the rolling machine rotating discs break open the leaf cells in the tea leaves without destroying them. This releases the cell juice. The liquid in the cells oxidises with the oxygen in the air and fermentation begins.

Oxidizing (Fermenting)

Rolling sets off fermentation – an oxidation process that takes around 2 – 3 hours. The cell sap comes into contact with oxygen and begins to oxidise. The leaves take on a coppery red colour and the tea acquires it characteristic aroma. The quality of the tea later on depends on the skills of the fermentation master, since he decides how long the process lasts. This process of fermentation determines the flavour of the tea: the shorter the process, the fresher the flavour and the lighter the tea is in colour. Longer fermentation produces stronger and darker teas.

Drying

The residual moisture is extracted from the tea at 90C in a multi-level dryer and the oxidised cell juice dries on the leaf. This is when tea darkens and becomes black in colour. This process takes around 20 minutes and is monitored carefully to ensure that the tea does not develop a burnt taste. Residual humidity: 3%

Grading

In this final step, the tea is graded into four different leaf grades using vibrating sifts. The sifting process produces high quality leaf teas, broken teas, fannings and tea dust.

Premium teas like we sell at Cup of Tea can only be produced using the traditional, orthodox method as described above. However only about 20 to 25% of the entire worldwide tea production is manufactured using the gentle orthodox method, the majority of all tea produced is by using the must faster more economical process of CTC production.

CTC stands for Crushing, Tearing and Curling. It is an automated mass production that brings out only simple flavours, no fine aromas and no large leaf grades. It takes only 8 to 12 hours to produce one batch of black tea versus 20 to 24 hours it takes by using the traditional orthodox way.

None of the teas we sell comes under the grade ‘dust’.

Decoding The Acryonyms

 

In the course of tea history, English terms and combinations of letters describing the various qualities of tea have become standard: 

  • Fine: Fine, excellent quality.
  • Tippy: Tips are the light-coloured leaf buds. They contain less cell sap and do not become as dark during fermentation.
  • Golden: This description indicates golden brown teas and is only used for teas from India.
  • Flowery: This term describes the fragrance and aroma of a tea.
  • Orange: This is an indication of a special quality. It can be traced back to the Dutch Royal House of Orange and means royal, exquisite and simply especially good.
  • Pekoe: This Chinese word (=white down), refers to the fine, this hairs on the jagged leaf edge of young, delicate tea leaves. In this combination both the terms Orange and Pekoe are used to describe the tea grade.
  • Broken: Broken and, therefore, a small-leafed tea.
  • Fannings: These are the larger pieces of the small leafed particles left after sifting. They are ideal for top quality tea bags like our Teavelope range.
  •  Dust: This is the lowest grade left after the final sift. Because it is so fine, it is called dust. None of the teas we have on offer contains Dust grade.

 

Next time you see a collection of letters on your tea’s label you can now read the details and ‘decode’ them as per the following example FTGFOP which read like ‘Fine, Tippy, Golden, Flowery, Orange, Pekoe’. The description indicates a carefully sifted tea with plenty of light-coloured and golden brown leaf tips, a richly flowery aroma and delicate leaves of the highest quality grade.

First Flush Darjeelings

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Himalayas, Darjeeling is one of the most famous tea-growing regions in India. Each year, the arrival of spring heralds the prized first flush: the first new shoots of the season, which produce a flowery, fragrant and delicately-flavoured tea.
 
Our first flush Darjeelings, such as Organic Spring Darjeeling, Badamtam and Darjeeling Namring, all boast the finest flavour that only a top quality first flush can produce
 
 
 

Second Flush Darjeelings

Harvested slightly later in the spring, second flush Darjeelings boast a more intense, full-bodied flavour than their first flush predecessors. Add to this a warm, golden-amber colour and mellow aroma, and the result is a tea that is simply delightful. If proof of this is needed, it can be found among our selection of second flush Darjeelings, such as Darjeeling Summer Gold or Margaret’s Hope.

 

Assam Teas

A neighbour to Darjeeling, the Indian state of Assam is famed as the largest tea-growing region in the world. Fertile, low-lying land and a hot, wet climate combine to produce teas that are dark in colour, with a strong, malty flavour: the perfect choice for those who prefer their tea with a dash of milk or sugar. Assam Bari, Assam Nahorabi, Assam Broken Gold Tip or Assam Boisahabi are among our favourites – why not give them a try?

 

Ceylon Teas

 

One of the largest black tea exporters in the world, Sri Lanka – formerly Ceylon – produces a wide variety of top-quality teas. From Uva in the east, Dimbula in the west and Nuwara Eliya in between, come some of the best teas in Sri Lanka. Teas whose fragrant aromas and crisp, citrus flavours create nothing short of a sensory delight. Ceylon teas are delicious as single estate teas or as part of a black tea blend. The most sought-after varieties include Inverness, Orange Pekoe and the blended classic English Breakfast.

 

Chinese Black Teas

Produced mainly for export, Chinese black tea originates from the southern regions of China. Typically mild, with a deep, earthy flavour, these teas are generally low in tannin and caffeine. And, because their leaves are so carefully crafted, Chinese black teas are notable for their looks, as well as their taste. Popular Chinese black teas include Lapsang Souchong, KeemunYunnan and Pu Erh.

 

Other black teas

In addition to teas from the larger tea-growing areas, we offer a selection of black teas from lesser-known regions such as Nepal, Sikkim and Southern India