Black tea – character, elegance and history
The history of black tea is a rich tapestry woven in deep traditions, fascinating curiosities, and one still enrapturing tea enthusiasts around the world to this day. Let’s embark on a journey to its origins and explore the world’s most renowned tea-cultivating regions.
Located in India, China, and Sri Lanka, each region produces teas notably distinctive in character, yet singularly unique in their own ways.
India – intense, malty, and sweet
Assam in northeastern India is the largest tea-cultivating region in the world. Premium qualities featuring golden leaf tips – the so-called tippy leaves – are produced during the summer harvest, or the second flush. They are intense and malty, yet with a delicate sweetness, and traditionally enjoyed with a hint of milk.
Darjeeling is widely considered the champagne of teas, and – as the name implies – grows near the Indian city of Darjeeling. The time-honored tea plantations located there represent the heart of Bengalese tea cultivation. Despite the great number of commercially available Darjeeling teas, we select tea of only the highest classification, SFTGFOP1 (Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe), for our organic Purple Breeze.
Click here to learn more about our Purple Breeze.
Sirocco organic teas from India: Golden Assam and Purple Breeze
Our Black Chai, Gentle Blue, and Imperial Gold are blends with Indian teas.
China – the cradle of tea culture
Without question, the Chinese tea culture is the oldest in the world, a living testimony to lasting heritage. The regions famous for tea cultivation are located primarily in the south and southeast of the country. In China, black tea is referred to as red tea. Intricate flavor signatures range widely from delicately floral to evocatively smoky.
One renowned specialty is Lapsang Souchong, a black tea with a tantalizing, deep note, which perfectly complements our comprehensive collection. Its distinctive history, spanning centuries, is steeped with fascinating annals: why not click below to find out how Lapsang souchong is linked not only with the Ming Dynasty but also Winston Churchill?
Sirocco organic teas from China: Lapsang Souchong
Did you know that Lapsang souchong is perfectly paired with a delightful autumnal lentil salad?
Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) – refreshing and vibrant
Ceylon tea is the tea grown in the former Ceylon, now the country of Sri Lanka. Ceylon teas are rich and unaffected by water with a high mineral content. They are an essential part of English tea blends and are enjoyed with just a hint of milk.
The premium teas are cultivated in the highlands of Uva, Dimbula, and Nuwara Eliya. At a lofty elevation of some 1200 meters, the tea plants there thrive in ideal conditions offered by a cool climate and ample precipitation.
You can read the intriguing story behind the creation of Gentle Blue here.
Sirocco organic teas from Sri Lanka: Ceylon Sunrise and Ceylon Decaf
Our Gentle Blue and Imperial Gold are tea blends from Sri Lanka.
Black tea – when perfection is key in a cup
Follow these guidelines to let black tea flavors develop to their full potential:
🌡️ Water: 95 – 98° C
🕐 Infusion time: 3 – 5 min.
💧 Always use freshly boiled water
Brewing sublime tea is much more than merely following set procedure. It is also about beautiful tiny rituals, the right moment,and a mood that all make enjoyment complete. Let the tantalizing oriental spices or the finest Bourbon vanilla whisk you away for a magical moment into the captivating world of exceptional tea cultures!
Sirocco organic black tea
At Sirocco, you will find hand-picked organic black teas from the world’s foremost certified tea producers.
Whether an intense, malty tea from Assam, a delicate, floral Darjeeling, or a vibrant tea from Sri Lanka, each variety bears the unique signature of its origin.
Just like all other organic teas and organic herbal infusions, our black teas are analyzed for residual substances at least twice in a specialized and fully accredited laboratory to ensure that you can enjoy the highest quality in every cup.
Discovery the variety!
Which one is your personal favorite organic black tea?