What is Black Tea Made Of?
Black tea is a type of tea made from the Camellia Sinensis plant, an evergreen shrub native to parts of Asia. This type of tea is highly oxidized, giving it its recognizable dark color, bold flavor, and strong aroma.
Ingredients of Black Tea
- Leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant
- Water
- Sometimes milk and sugar may be added to taste
The process of making tea begins with harvesting the leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The leaves need to be picked at the right time, ensuring that the flavor profile of the tea is as high as possible. after harvesting, the leaves are withered, allowing them to lose some of their moisture. Then they are bruised, releasing the oils and flavors of the leaves. After the bruising, the tea leaves are allowed to oxidize, which gives them their dark color and robust flavor.
The last step in making black tea is drying or firing, which stops the oxidation process. This prevents the tea from becoming stale or moldy and helps to preserve its flavor. The result of this process is the familiar black tea that we enjoy in teabags and loose tea.
