How Do You Drink Black Tea?

Summary: Perhaps you've never been a tea drinker before, but you've decided to give it a whirl. Or maybe you already drink standard varieties of tea, but you'd like to try black tea for a change of pace. In any case, you're wondering how you should go about drinking this unusual full-bodied beverage. To begin with, you should be aware of the fact that tea aficionados around the globe tend to make tea in a similar way. Yet, it is true that certain methods of tea preparation may d...

Perhaps you've never been a tea drinker before, but you've decided to give it a whirl. Or maybe you already drink standard varieties of tea, but you'd like to try black tea for a change of pace. In any case, you're wondering how you should go about drinking this unusual full-bodied beverage. To begin with, you should be aware of the fact that tea aficionados around the globe tend to make tea in a similar way. Yet, it is true that certain methods of tea preparation may differ from country to country and from region to region. Favorite Methods For example, in India, black tea is often steeped with a combination of milk and hot water. In Great Britain and the rest of the United Kingdom, tea tends to be stepped quite strong, with milk or a sweetener such as sugar or honey added to enhance the taste. In the United States, it's quite popular to microwave a cup of cold water in order to brew tea. However, it is a fact that many Americans are now opting for loose teas rather than tea bags. What You Should Know About Black Tea Black tea tends to vary in color from a shade of reddish brown to black. Interestingly enough, as black tea ages, it often becomes even more flavorful. In order to store black tea, you should place it in a location that is ventilated well, but you don't really have to worry about the temperature of the location. In general, black tea is formed into cakes that can be round, square, or tube-like. How black tea smells and tastes may depend largely on the location in which it was harvested. As a result, scent and flavor may vary significantly from region to region. Black tea is known for its therapeutic benefits. For instance, fans of black tea in China tend to have little problem with cancer or other degenerative illnesses. In fact, they may have better overall health than non-tea drinkers. Types of Black Tea When thinking about buying black tea, it is important for you to know the varieties that are available. For instance, if you're interested in a high-quality tea, you might consider Keemun. This type of tea has a strong aroma and can be consumed with or without milk and sweetener. Another superior type is Darjeeling, an Indian tea that is known for its delicate taste. Meanwhile, Assam is a less spicy version of Keemun, but it is also known for its rich taste. If you're interested in a Chinese black tea, you might consider Lapsang Souchong, which is characterized by an unusual smoky flavor. For a Chinese tea with a little bit of a kick, try Yunnan, which offers a hint of pepper. If you prefer a lighter tea, the Indian Nilgiri may be best. However, be aware of the fact that Nilgiri requires expert steeping in order to achieve the right flavor. Drinking Black Tea in Style If you really want to drink black tea in style, you should consider indulging in it at a tea salon. Such salons are ever-present, not only in Chinese cities such as Beijing, but also in Taiwan. You should be aware of the fact that menus at tea salons tend to feature a range of items. In addition, the décor can differ significantly from salon to salon. For the people of the Orient, tea salons can be as trendy as Starbucks cafes are in the Western world. Salons tend to stay open late enough to accommodate late-night patrons. They are also a favorite of young people. Visit a tea salon in China and you may find dozens of different varieties of teas available. Some of the teas may have been aged two decades or more, causing them to have an especially appealing flavor. One Pu-erh tea is actually more than a century old and is considered a national treasure among the Chinese. The tea salons of the Orient may also have a number of different sections, each reflecting a different kind of atmosphere. For instance, one section may be considered more or less a reading room, while another is best suited for playing games. As a result of this, tea salons are definitely classified as a "destination location." Fun Ways to Enjoy Black Tea There are certainly other entertaining ways that you can enjoy black tea. For instance, you might consider holding a tea-tasting party where you invite a group of friends to sample various black tea delicacies. Or you can plan a meal from the country of origin of your favorite blend of black tea. In other words, the possibilities for enjoying black tea are limited only by your own imagination. Once you make black tea a regular part of your diet, you'll quickly discover that it may be able to soothe your nerves as nothing else can.