Black tea is a popular drink made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis shrub, and it is naturally packed full of antioxidants.
Originating from China in 1590, the popularity of this fully oxidised refreshment has grown worldwide year on year. Now, it is loved so much there are 25,000 cups of tea consumed every single second worldwide.
This article will review the best black tea brands and other factors to consider when buying black tea.
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Top Black Tea Brand Comparison
[wptb id=5109]Best Black Tea Brand Reviews
Twinings London English Breakfast Black Tea
Stunning Strong Black Tea Mastered From 300 Years Of Innovation
Twinings have been in the tea industry for over 300 years, and as a trusted brew brand, you should expect the very best from their London English Breakfast black tea bags. M
ixed with milk and sugar, or enjoyed black and steaming, these full-bodied tea bags from Twinings certainly do not disappoint.
Customers will appreciate that the leaves picked to make these are carefully selected from five different regions.
Even better, the leaves selected are only the finest available, cultivated by growers Twinings have worked hard to build a strong relationship with.
The result is a harmonious blend with a hint of smoke, some floral undertones and the slightest touch of earthy sweetness.
It is extremely well-balanced and flavorful and there are no artificial ingredients, leaving you with a clean, complex tea drinking experience. Simply steep for four minutes to enjoy the perfect brew at any time of the day.
Why We Like It:
- Rich, full bodied tea
- Strong flavor that doesn’t go bitter after a lengthy steeping
- Flavor is not weakened by milk
- Fragrant
What We Don’t Like:
- Large box may be a struggle to store
- May not suit lovers of extremely strong black tea
Taylors Harrogate Yorkshire Red Teabags
Strong, Delicious Tea With Ethical Kudos
Yorkshire Tea is a famous tea brand with the slogan ‘Yorkshire Tea, like tea used to be’.
This references the fact that the brand continues to produce exceptional tea bags without any reduction of flavor or strength.
If you’re a tea drinker who wants a rich, full-bodied brew that creates the perfect dark amber robust brew, this could be the right brand of black tea bag for you.
Customers who want to support good company ethics will love the various efforts made by Taylors to be good to the planet and the people on it.
They pay fair prices to tea growers in Africa and India, only buy from Rainforest Alliance certified growers, and all their boxes have the FSC trademark, which promotes responsible forest management.
So whilst you enjoy this bracing, punchy Yorkshire tea morning, noon or night, you can feel great about the fact you’re also supporting a company who cares.
Why We Like It:
- Strong and robust brew
- Taylors has strong ethical policies
- No bitter edge after prolonged brewing
What We Don’t Like:
- Tea bags may break easily if handled too much after steeping
Tazo Awake English Breakfast
Caffeinated, Punchy Black Tea Perfect For A Morning Boost
Tazo and its fresh, interesting packaging is known for creating expert tea blends that add a twist to the ordinary.
Its English breakfast tea is no different, bringing a slightly different variation on the traditional rich, fragrant black tea flavor we are used to.
For tea drinkers who want a different take on black tea, this is probably the brand to try.
Customers will love the bold flavors of the Tazo bags, which are malty, strong and anything but mild.
Made from hand picked tea leaves from across the globe, the tea is great hot anytime of the day, but especially when you need a pick-me-up.
The strength of the tea brings plenty of caffeine to the table, giving you a burst of energy in a cup of bold flavor, perfect for stirring your senses on a blurry morning.
Why We Like It:
- Punchy, strong and bold flavor
- Perfect with or without milk
What We Don’t Like:
- Bags can stick to paper seal, leaking leaves
- Large pack may be difficult to store
Bigelow English Teatime Black Tea Bags
Delicious Black Tea Made With High-Quality Mountain Grown Leaves
Founded in 1945, Bigelow has gone the extra mile to bring customers the highest quality tea leaves. They are hand-picked from higher locations on the mountains where they are grown.
This higher location is thought to boost the flavor of the tea leaves, gifting you a yummy, strong, well-rounded tea with a hint of spice and citrus, and a deliciously smooth finish.
Customers will love that this tasty tea can be enjoyed hot and cold. For a stunning hot cup, just steep the bag for two minutes and enjoy black, or with milk and sugar.
If you want it a little deeper in color and taste, steep it some more and you’ll get a punchier brew that holds its own, even with milk.
To enjoy it iced, steep it for a little longer then pour it over your cubes in a jug, maybe even some chopped fruit too, and serve it up for a refreshing summer drink.
Why We Like It:
- High-quality leaves sourced from higher up on the mountain
- Enjoyable hot or cold
- Punchy flavor, even with milk
- Great any time of day
What We Don’t Like:
- May not be the right tea for traditionalists
- May require more than one bag a cup for a really strong brew
Harney Sons Black Decaffeinated Bags
Tasty, Flavorful Black Tea Bags Without The Caffeine
Caffeine is something that you might want to avoid for a multitude of reasons. Luckily, with Harney Sons that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite yummy black tea brew.
Instead, you get all the depth and deliciousness of traditional black tea, without the caffeinated buzz that comes naturally in the plant.
To enjoy this decaf delight you simply have to steep it for up to four minutes, depending on how strong you like it. You can then enjoy it on its own, or with milk and sugar.
The result is a naturally sweet, tasty tea that far exceeds its lack of caffeine by bringing you a full flavor, wholesome tea experience in every cup.
Why We Like It:
- Decaf
- Perfect alone or with milk and sugar
- Flavorful and full-bodied
- Naturally sweet
What We Don’t Like:
- You may need to steep two bags for a very strong brew
- Bags may not be as strong in taste as the sachets
Lipton Black Tea Bags
Delicious Black Tea With A Touch Of Citrus, Perfect Served Hot Or Cold
Lipton are well known aficionados of tea. The gorgeous black leaves at the heart of many of their bags are made from leaves that are picked, dried, rolled, shredded, oxidised and heated until you get the stunning flavorful product
Lipton are famous for. Enjoy these Pekoe cut black tea and orange tea bags steeped in hot water for 5 minutes for the best possible rich, fragrant flavor.
Customers will love the touch of sweetness and zing added to the bags with the clever addition of orange.
Even better, the ingredients are sustainably sourced and Rainforest Alliance certified so you can feel great about the ethical kudos of your brew as you enjoy it morning, afternoon or night.
Why We Like It:
- Natural sweetness from the addition of citrus
- Fragrant flavor, perfect iced or hot
- Ingredients sustainably sourced
- Fresh-tasting
What We Don’t Like:
- May not be liked by traditionalists
- Not a breakfast tea, which some customers prefer
Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea Tin – Black Tea With Orange & Sweet Clove
Sumptuous Autumnal Spiced Tea For A Cosy, Comforting Brew
If you’re looking for something a little different to give you a glow of a cold morning, you might want to consider beautifully packaged Harney & Sons hot cinnamon spice tea.
It’s a gorgeous combination of black tea leaves, warming cinnamon, tangy orange peel and aromatic sweet cloves. The result is a deep, fragrant flavor that smells and tastes divine.
Customers who want a gourmet, high-end tea will love this product. The beautiful tin, that can be reused, gives an instant sense of occasion before you have even opened the tin.
Then, once you get a bag out ready to brew, the stunning spicy scent fills the air, stirring the senses.
You can then steep it for about four minutes and you’re guaranteed a cup of wintry woods heaven, for a truly comforting refreshment morning, afternoon or night.
Why We Like It:
- Aromatic & sweet
- Comes in a beautiful tin
- A great gift idea
- Perfect without milk
What We Don’t Like:
- Customers with dexterity issues may struggle with the tin lid
- May be too spicy for some customers
Numi Organic Tea Breakfast Blend
A Gorgeous Exotic Tea Blend For Those Who Love A High-Quality Brew
If you’re looking for a crafted, Artisan style tea that has complex flavors and a delicious taste perfect for a morning boost, Numi breakfast blend could be for you. It mixes Assam, Ceylon, Chinese, Keemurl and Darjeeling teas for a beautifully bold breakfast cup.
Customers who want only the healthiest products in their kitchen will love that Numi breakfast blend is made with 100% fair trade certified organic, non-GMO ingredients.
This not only means you’re getting the best for yourself, but you’re backing a brand that cares about its tea growers in India and Sri Lanka who are empowered and supported in their industry by the Fair Trade programme.
Why We Like It:
- Exotic, well-rounded flavor
- Fair trade
- Certified organic
- Perfect with or without milk
What We Don’t Like:
- Not very strong overall
- Flavor can be washed out by milk
How To Choose The Best Black Tea
If you want some more tips on choosing the very best brew for your taste, consider the following before you make your choice:
Strength
One of the biggest considerations for many people when it comes to buying tea is the strength of the bag.
If you’re one of the 33% go for more traditional English breakfast teas and 100% black tea bags. If you’re more of a weak tea lover, you don’t need to be as choosy as it is easier to make a weak cup of tea by steeping for less time, than trying to get a stronger tea with a weak bag,
Health & Ethics
Healthy features of a tea bag include the fact it is organic, it is free from flavorings and it might also be GMO free.
You might want to look out for these features if you prefer healthier tea products.
These kinds of features are also usually paired with ethical kudos like Rainforest Alliance certification and Fair Trade certification, which reassures you that the product is not only great for those who drink it, but those who make it too.
Hot Or Cold?
If you prefer your tea hot, all tea bags are likely to be suitable for a tasty, steaming brew.
When it comes to iced tea though, some teas lend themselves more to this kind of preparation.
Bags with citrus notes in particular are excellent in iced tea, along with ice cubes and some chopped fruit.
Caffeinated Or Not?
If you prefer a caffeinated tea bag with a real hit of energy then look for highly caffeinated bags that are strong and robust in flavor.
If you choose non-caffeine, choose high-quality bags that go that extra mile with flavor so that you still get a kick without the caffeine.
Summary
Using our handy tips and product reviews, you can get the most beautiful brew for your cup.
With the right tea bags, you can enjoy a delicious, full-bodied refreshment to enjoy hot or cold, with or without milk, and at any time of the day you need the perfect pick-me-up.