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A Brief Guide to Black Tea Origins

  • Assam - The Assam region, on the southern slopes of the Himalayas of North India is home to 2000 tea gardens, making it one of the largest tea-producing regions in the world. A greenhouse-like climate in lower areas produces rich, full-bodied, malty teas which are the basis for many breakfast blends. Higher growing elevations have interesting fruity notes along with the malty character.
  • China - China is the original home of tea & today has thousands of tea farms large and small, mostly concentrated in the South Eastern Provinces.  This contrasts sharply with India, Sri Lanka, Africa and other places organized by the British into large Tea Estates most of which are over 1000 acres.  In China, hundreds of hybrid or "cultivar" plants have been developed regionally over centuries, with each Province or Region being famous for certain teas.  Tea is grown in lowlands and high mountain settings with an incredible range of  leaf styles, tastes, and methods of production.  Some of the major tea provinces and regional areas include: Yunnan, Hunan, Fujiian, Anhui, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei, Vhejiang, Jiangsu, Henan, Shaanxi, Hainan.
  • Darjeeling - Under snow-covered Himalayan peaks 120 miles to the west and a little north of Assam lies spectacular Darjeeling. Here the climate is cooler and misty with unique soil conditions. Called the “champagne” of teas, the Darjeelings are lighter in body with wonderful muscatel flavors and flowery aromas. Darjeelings are picked three times a year, each picking of new growth or “flush” having its unique flavors.
  • Sikkim - Immediately west of Darjeeling, in the Himalayan Mountains, is Sikkim. With similar growing conditions for tea, and similar tastes to the Darjeelings, we feel that the few Sikkim teas available are very good values.
  • Nilgiri - In the south of India lies the Nilgiris or Blue Mountains, where elephants still roam in the rolling grasslands and dense jungles of the lower plains. Tea thrives in the higher foothills and peaks, interspersed with shade trees and spice gardens. Nilgiri tea is brisk and bold with a medium body. Much of it stays in India for local consumption or blending, but a few excellent grades are now being exported.
  • Ceylon - Sri Lanka, just off the southern coast of India is synonymous in the western world with tea. Sir Thomas Lipton and others made their fortune here promoting the concepts of “orange pekoe” and “brisk tea.” Teas produced in different regions of Sri Lanka have unique characteristics—from the low grown bold Dimbulas to the higher grown lighter Nuwara Eliya teas. Ceylon teas are making a comeback as premium handmade teas, with many organic tea gardens.

What Makes Black Tea Black?

After picking, tea leaves are processed in different ways to produce the various types of tea: Black, Oolong, Green and White. Black teas are the most fully processed.

Following a short drying period in the shade, the leaves are rolled to release their natural juices. The rolled or "curled" leaves are then exposed to air for very specific amounts of time in order to allow for interaction between the air and the leaf juices (oxidation) to produce varying taste and color characteristics. Finally, a fast drying process is used to stop oxidation and dry the leaf for grading. With Black tea, more of the juices are allowed to interact with air, producing unique tastes, and the final drying temperature is higher, turning the tea black.

Our staff continually tastes and selects teas from many tea producers, regions of the world, and individual tea gardens. We buy teas after we taste them—not before—to find the best teas and values.

Three Things to Know About Buying Black Tea

1. 8 ozs of Black Tea makes 100 Six oz. cups.

2. Store Black Tea in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong odors, and it will have a shelf life of 9-12 months if purchased from a reputable tea merchant.  Put the amount you will use in a couple of weeks into a sealed tin or ceramic canister in the kitchen.  Store the remainder in a cool dry place in its original package, rolled down to keep as much air as possible out.  Tea does not "spoil," the taste simply slowly fades as it does with culinary herbs.

3. “In London, love and scandal are considered the best sweeteners of tea.” John Osborne

American Bed and Breakfast Blend

American Bed and Breakfast Blend

A careful blend of North Indian, South Indian, and Ceylon teas produces a smooth, medium bodied cup with complex flavor, allowing the taste of the various teas to come through. Drink anytime of the d…

$3.50

Assam ''Gunpowder'' Dufflagher

Assam ''Gunpowder'' Dufflagher

Dufflagher Estate - Broken Pekoe Souchong 1 (BPS1). Completely handmade tea; the leaves are hand rolled into tight balls which unfurl when steeping. Makes a hearty breakfast cup with well rounded flav…

$3.95

Assam Gingia Estate

Assam Gingia Estate

Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (TGFOP). Gingia brews a smooth cup with a nice malty taste allowing the Assam character to come through. We like it both with milk and by itself as an all day tea.…

$3.95

Assam Kalgar

Assam Kalgar

Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) This is a blend of each year’s best Broken Orange Pekoes from several premium Assam Tea Gardens in the Brahmaputra Valley. The Kalgar blend is a true breakfast tea noted f…

$2.95

Assam Mokalbari Estate

Assam Mokalbari Estate

(FTGFOP1). An excellent high grown Assam, one of the favorite Assams at Strand Tea. Rich malty notes with layered flavors and low astringency.

$5.25

Bai Lin Gongfu

Bai Lin Gongfu

Special Grade – An amazing tea and a great find. When you’ve learned all the rules about Black Tea, here is an exception. It is brewed at a lower temperature (like Green Tea) for longer …

$3.95

Black Tea Brick - Large

Black Tea Brick - Large

Chinese nomads are first credited with compressing tea into "bricks" for easy travel.  Tea was so valuable during some time periods that the bricks were scored or marked into sections a…

$17.95

Black Tea Brick - Small

Black Tea Brick - Small

Chinese nomads are first credited with compressing tea into "bricks" for easy travel.  Tea was so valuable during some time periods that the bricks were scored or marked into sections a…
OUT OF STOCK

$9.95

Canadian Friendship Blend

Canadian Friendship Blend

The first new blend we have added in several years. Blended of Assam, Ceylon, and Kenya teas it makes a good all day tea. Our Canadian friends drink it strong without milk. We enjoy the rich flavor…

$3.50

Ceylon - Blackwood Estate Organic

Ceylon - Blackwood Estate Organic

This lot of Blackwood OP1 is the best Organic Ceylon of the season and is a Strand Tea staff pick for a refreshing afternoon tea.  Well made leaves with their soft,  faintly fruity aroma whe…

$4.50

Ceylon - Kenilworth Estate

Ceylon - Kenilworth Estate

Orange Pekoe First Quality (OP1). Kenilworth is a fine example of expertly made long, wiry leaves. It is well rounded, bold, but smooth, and has a nice aftertaste. Take with milk or lemon as a hear…

$3.95

Ceylon – Koslanda Estate

Ceylon – Koslanda Estate

Orange Pekoe, First Quality (OP1). This is the tea Americans think of when thinking of “tea.” Koslanda teas have carefully made leaves which yield full flavor and nice fruity middle tas…
OUT OF STOCK

$3.95

Ceylon – Lover’s Leap Estate

Ceylon – Lover’s Leap Estate

Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) - From the "high grown" areas come the best teas Sri Lanka produces. Lover's Leap is known for golden liquor, intense taste and aroma. It is usually thought o…

$3.95

Ceylon – New Nandana

Ceylon – New Nandana

Orange Pekoe First Grade (OP1) – We first tasted this tea in 2007 and really liked its character. It has a very well-made wiry leaf with a smooth beginning, lush, almost fruity middle notes, an…
OUT OF STOCK

$3.95

China Black

China Black

Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP). The most basic of teas from South China. It makes an excellent and inexpensive iced tea without any bitterness.

$2.75

Darjeeling - Ambootia Estate

Darjeeling - Ambootia Estate

Ambootia is one of the best known Tea Gardens for their consistency and quality.  This is a particularly smooth Organic Premium Black Tea (FTGFOP)  at a good price.

$4.95

Darjeeling - Makaibari Estate

Darjeeling - Makaibari Estate

ORGANIC , BIO-DYNAMIC, & FAIR TRADE. Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (TGFOP). Superior grade First, Second, and Autumn Flushes made in the classic style. Makaibari has a bright copper liquor …

$4.50

Darjeeling - Makaibari Estate. Vintage Muscatel

Darjeeling - Makaibari Estate. Vintage Muscatel

ORGANIC, BIO-DYNAMIC, & FAIR TRADE. Special Fancy Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (SFTGFOP1). In our opinion this is one of the best Darjeelings made. From the moment you smell the infused l…
OUT OF STOCK

$6.50

Darjeeling - Margaret's Hope Estate First Flush TGFOP

Darjeeling - Margaret's Hope Estate First Flush TGFOP

Margaret's Hope Estate TGFOP First Flush is the best we tasted in 2008.  It has a more developed muscatel character and none of the astringency typical of first flushes.  The cup brews l…

$6.50

Darjeeling - Margaret’s Hope Estate.

Darjeeling - Margaret’s Hope Estate.

Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange (SFTGFOP) Our choice for a great, bolder Darjeeling. Makes a medium bodied cup, with strong middle notes and classic finish.
OUT OF STOCK

$3.95

Darjeeling - Phuguri Estate

Darjeeling - Phuguri Estate

Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe 1 (FTGFOP1) – A new addition for us in 2007. A light to medium bodied cup with all the subtle nuances of the good Darjeelings. It ends with a softer f…

$5.50

Darjeeling Singbulli Estate

Darjeeling Singbulli Estate

An Excellent FTGFOP1 Limited Production Darjeeling.  Light to medium bodied brew with a hint of muscatel and no astringency.
OUT OF STOCK

$6.50

Earl Grey  Extra Fancy Blend

Earl Grey Extra Fancy Blend

Double Bergamot makes this a tea for Earl Grey lovers.  It is our most intensely flavored Earl Grey.  There are several legends about the origin of this blend, named after the British Prime …

$3.50

Earl Grey - Manhattan Blend

Earl Grey - Manhattan Blend

Our most popular Earl Grey for the past 10 years. A superior blend of black teas flavored with oil of bergamot and flower blossoms offering a unique twist on a well-known blend. Extra smooth and fla…

$3.50

Earl Grey Organic & Fair Trade

Earl Grey Organic & Fair Trade

The newest addition to our Earl Grey selections. Certified Organic and Fair Trade Earl Grey Black Tea from the Korakundah Estate in South India.  Korakundah Estate is thought to be the highest te…

$3.95

Earl Grey Special Blend - Back in stock Nov 25, 2008

Earl Grey Special Blend - Back in stock Nov 25, 2008

This popular blend will be ready November 25, 2008 & ready for shipment November 26. Premium Ceylon Black Tea with Natural Oil of Bergamot and a hint of Vanilla makes this blend special and ve…
OUT OF STOCK

$3.50

East Frisian Blend

East Frisian Blend

This breakfast blend was inspired by one of the oldest and most passionate tea drinking regions in Europe. It has a malty taste and plenty of flavorful golden tips. We recommend this blend to our fr…

$3.50

English Breakfast - Extra Fancy Grade

English Breakfast - Extra Fancy Grade

This is an exceptionally good blend of breakfast teas. The leaves are a little larger and brew slower producing a smooth robust cup. It can be taken with or without milk. We highly recommend it fo…

$3.50

English Breakfast – Traditional Imperial Blend

English Breakfast – Traditional Imperial Blend

NOW ORGANIC! Fit for the imperial court, premium BOP leaves brew a strong cup but with taste just right to go with hearty foods.

$3.50

Grand Keemun

Grand Keemun

Keemun teas, which won their first gold medals in 1915, were the original English Breakfast teas prior to the Assams taking over when China teas were not available to the British Empire. The Grand Ke…

$3.95

Irish Breakfast - Superior

Irish Breakfast - Superior

This premium blend of whole leaf Indian teas has a rich malty taste for those wishing a robust cup. Excellent breakfast tea with milk.

$3.50

Keeman Hao Ya A ''Imperial Court'' Tribute Tea

Keeman Hao Ya A ''Imperial Court'' Tribute Tea

The Hao Ya A is always rated by tea professionals as the top Keemun made. It has an amazing depth of taste, with toasty notes and superb mouth feel. A must try for the tea lover.

$6.50

Kenya - Milima Estate

Kenya - Milima Estate

Golden Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe (GFBOP). Deep rich breakfast tea with earthy and nutty overtones characteristic of good Kenya Black Teas. Best with milk and/or sugar. Excellent by itself or blen…

$3.95

Lapsang Souchong

Lapsang Souchong

From Fujan Province comes one of the world's legendary teas, favored especially by the Russians and the American old west cowboys. It has large leaves and a very smoky aroma and taste, making it …

$3.50

Nilgiri - Craigmore Estate

Nilgiri - Craigmore Estate

Craigmore Tea Estate is one of the Premium Tea Gardens of the Nilgiri Region of South India.  Established in 1884, it is situated at aprox. 4,950 feet (1524 meters) above sea level among forested…

$2.75

Nilgiri - Kora Kundah Estate Black Tea- Tin

Nilgiri - Kora Kundah Estate Black Tea- Tin

ORGANIC & FAIR TRADE Flowery Orange Pekoe, (FOP). Our best selling Nilgiri Tea. Factory sealed 100 gram (3.6 oz) attractive package. Great for home or gift.
OUT OF STOCK

$6.95

Nilgiri – Kora Kundah Estate Black Tea

Nilgiri – Kora Kundah Estate Black Tea

ORGANIC & FAIR TRADE - Flowery Orange Pekoe, (FOP). Our best selling Nilgiri Tea. Korrakundah Estate is thought to be the highest tea estate in the world at almost 8,000 feet above sea level. T…
OUT OF STOCK

$3.95

Nilgiri – Poabs Estate Black Tea -  Factory Sealed 250 gram Box

Nilgiri – Poabs Estate Black Tea - Factory Sealed 250 gram Box

Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP) ORGANIC & BIO-DYNAMIC. The family that makes this tea holds seminars on Organic Production, does extensive inter-cropping, and is committed to bio-dynamic practices on…

$9.95

Nilgiri Kairbetta

Nilgiri Kairbetta

Special Fancy Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe , First Quality (SFTGFOP1).. I still remember the first time “cupping” this tea with the owner of Kairbetta Tea Garden and my friend, Bob. This is…

$4.95

Organic Breakfast Blend

Organic Breakfast Blend

ORGANIC. Classic Indian black tea blend strong enough to please the English and the Irish. Good with milk or sweetening and breakfast foods.…

$3.50

Panyang Congou - Golden Crab

Panyang Congou - Golden Crab

Special Limited production. Golden Crab is a very smooth Golden Tip Tea from Fujiian with an excellent rich flavor. Similar in leaf style and appearance to the more expensive Yunnans, but has its o…
OUT OF STOCK

$4.95

PG Tips - 40 Teabags

PG Tips - 40 Teabags

P G Tips by Brooke Bond is the largest selling Black Tea Blend in Britain.  PG Tips pioneered the "pyramid" shaped teabag many years ago.  Factory Sealed Box of 40 Teabags

$4.50

PG Tips - 80 Teabags

PG Tips - 80 Teabags

P G Tips by Brooke Bond is the largest selling Black Tea Blend in Britain.  PG Tips pioneered the "pyramid" shaped teabag many years ago.  Factory Sealed Box of 80 Teabags.

$7.50

Portland Blend

Portland Blend

Estate grown Indian and China black teas blended by Strand Tea Company with the Pacific Northwest in mind. This is a satisfying, rich, and smooth blend you can drink all day. One of our most popular…

$3.50

Pu-Erh - Brick (Shu)

Pu-Erh - Brick (Shu)

TRIBUTE TEA. 6-7 year old compressed brick. Enjoy now or let age. 250 gram (8.8 oz) Factory Wrapped Brick.

$16.95

Pu-Erh Tou Cha

Pu-Erh Tou Cha

TRIBUTE TEA. A true specialty tea. Currently the most talked about and sought after tea in China and abroad. It has always been considered a “tribute” or gift tea--the exception to the rule, in …

$4.50

Pu-Erh Yunnan - Loose Leaf Pu-Erh

Pu-Erh Yunnan - Loose Leaf Pu-Erh

This is a young (two year old), loose leaf Yunnan Black Tea made in the Pu-Erh style. Because it is a cross between a typical Yunnan and Pu-Erh, it has a lighter Pu-Erh flavor and aroma but still a …

$4.50

Russian Imperial

Russian Imperial

A blend of Lapsang Souchong with other China black teas has a definitive, but not overpowering smoky aroma. When steeped five minutes a rich, slightly sweet taste develops. Add milk and sugar for a …

$3.50

Sikkim - Temi Estate

Sikkim - Temi Estate

Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, (FTGFOP). This is an exceptionally high quality tea from the Eastern Himalayas of Northern India. Sikkim is a “Kingdom” much like its next door …

$4.95

Tibetan Organic Black Tea - Teabags

Tibetan Organic Black Tea - Teabags

ORGANIC. Grown on the shores of Lake Yigong in Linzhi Perfecture at an altitude of 7000’ under high mountain peaks with crystal clear water, Tibet Black Tea is a medium bodied dark brew with a…

$5.50

Yunnan - Organic

Yunnan - Organic

Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP). Large leaves with some gold tips brew a full-bodied tea without bitterness. Makes a great breakfast tea.
OUT OF STOCK

$3.95

Yunnan Golden Heaven

Yunnan Golden Heaven

TRIBUTE TEA. This is one of the best Yunnan teas made, Small, lightly rolled leaves loaded with gold tips produce a rich smooth cup which is flavorful without astringency or bitterness. One of the bes…

$6.95

Yunnan Golden Needles

Yunnan Golden Needles

Another superb tea. It has long, thin, wiry rolled leaves with golden tips giving yet another nuanced and layered look at the Yunnans. We particularly like the middle, hard to describe fruity type …
OUT OF STOCK

$6.60

Yunnan Heavenly Mountain

Yunnan Heavenly Mountain

Naturally Grown – Heavenly Mountain tea is high mountain grown from the famous  Camelia Sinensis "Dayeh" Cultivar found almost exclusively in Yunnan Province.  Thick soft lea…

$3.95

Yunnan Hong Cha

Yunnan Hong Cha

Yunnan Hong Cha is back!  Introduced in 2006 Hong Cha quickly became a favorite of Yunnan tea drinkers for its rich full taste, smoothness, and affordability.  We ran out in 2006 and again a…

$3.95

Yunnan, Tippy

Yunnan, Tippy

Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP), Best Grade. The Yunnan province in southern China has been producing teas for at least 1700 years. This premium high grown hand-produced Yunnan has well-twisted leaves a…
OUT OF STOCK

$3.95