Black Tea

Discover the highest pleasure from the famous tea gardens of India

Darjeeling

From various tea gardens on the slopes of the Himalayas in the Indian district of “Darjeeling” come our light yellow to amber Darjeeling black teas. Depending on the time of harvest, we distinguish as follows:

First Flush

Between mid-March and early April, the first tea harvest takes place after the winter break. The young, tender green shoots are harvested according to the “two leaves and a bud” method and are usually brought to Europe by plane. For this reason, they are also known as “flying tea”. First Flush teas are characterized by their light yellow color, floral aroma and pleasant fresh fragrance.

Second Flush

From early June to early July, the second flush is harvested. The leaves are now more mature and accordingly the taste is spicier and full-bodied with more tannins. In terms of color, the Second Flush is darker than the First Flush. Second Flush refers only to the harvest time and in no way to the quality. There are outstanding teas in each harvest time.

Autumnal

The Autumnal harvest begins after the monsoon rains in October and ends in early November. Autumnals tend to be sweet in flavor, fine and light with little tannin.

Assam

From this district in northeastern India, we source the Assam black tea of the same name, with its strong, mostly malty flavor, sometimes reminiscent of honey. It is often found in tea blends such as the popular East Frisian blend. Because of its strong character, it is also often drunk with a shot of milk.

Nilgiri

The Nilgiri Mountains are located in the southern part of India and the aroma of the black tea produced here is reminiscent of Ceylon black tea. Worth mentioning here are the teas that are harvested early in the year known as fresh-fruited teas, also called cold-weather teas.

The tea culture in China is the oldest in the world. Tea growing areas are located mainly in the south and southeast of the country. There are six to seven different types of teas produced in China, which differ only in fermentation or further processing: green tea, yellow tea, white tea, red tea (black tea), oolong tea, pu-erh tea and jasmine tea. We source our Chinese black teas from Keemun, Yunnan and Fujan provinces, among others.

Highlands

In the Himalayan mountains above 2000 m.a.s.l., wonderful highland tea with a rich aroma thrives. Since the harvest quantities are very small, this tea is one of the most sought-after black teas of all.

Also, in Sri Lanka delicious Highland Ceylon grows at an altitude of 1000 to 1400 m.a.s.l., which you should definitely try.

Even more interesting facts about tea as well as the production of black tea can be found here.