I. The Popularity of Black Tea
Black tea is a bold, flavorful and energizing way lots of people begin their day across the world. Since its' discovery in the 17th century in China and subsequent popularity, people in different cultures, cities, and villages in almost every country consume tea on a regular basis. Black tea is the backbone of many global drinks, such as Tibetan Po cha, bubble tea or milk tea. In certain regions of the world, black tea is the foundation for cultural events, such as tea ceremonies! The process of preparing black tea in Russian tea ceremonies are far different from a Chinese tea ceremony. The difference lies in the preparation and history of the ceremony itself, with Russian ceremonies strictly using strongly brewed loose and large leaf black tea, while Chinese ceremonies involve the usage of literature and art into the ceremony process. Preparing and serving black tea has always been the perfect complement to ceremonies or just a simple night at home.
Ninety percent of all tea sold in the U.S today is black tea. Most of the black tea in the modern U.S. is produced primarily in China and India. In England, tea consumption per person is roughly 2 kilos or 4.4 pounds each year. Globally, tea sales are in the billions of dollars every year, and according to Statistica, "the global tea market was valued at nearly 50 billion U.S. dollars in 2017 and is expected to rise to over 73 billion dollars by 2024." No matter if you're a passionate tea drinker or a passionate tea avoider, there's no denying how valuable the tea industry has been and will continue to be for the world economy.
II. Black Tea History
Because of its bold flavor and a caffeine boost similar to coffee, many Americans are drinking black tea as a morning "wake up" beverage. Popular favorites like Earl Grey and English Breakfast Tea have become a staple in millions of U.S. households. Tea itself has been around for a very long time, first mentioned in writing in a Chinese dictionary in 350 A.D. Originally acclaimed for its medicinal properties, tea became a popular recreational beverage during the Tang dynasty (618-907), with the process of steeping whole tea leaves in cups or teapots made popular during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). In 1589, Europeans first learned about tea when a Venetian author credited the lengthy lives of Asians to their tea drinking. At the end of the 1500's, Portuguese priests who spread Roman Catholicism through China tasted the new black tea and wrote about its medicinal uses and taste benefits. Shortly thereafter in 1662, Princess Catherine introduced drinking black tea to the British palace, then in 1690 Britain began selling tea publicly in Massachusetts, U.S. In England, Duchess Anna Telford introduced the concept of afternoon tea to the nation in 1840, who quickly embraced what is now; a favorite – and famous – British national pastime. No matter the country and the point in history, black tea has been the center of cultural growth.
III. How to Drink Black Tea
There are many ways to enjoy black tea, from a steaming cup of hot tea to a tall glass of iced tea, to including black tea in meals and recipes. Drinking black tea has become something of a fine art in America; with people in the south perfecting the sweet tea, and people across the country enjoying a summertime glass of fruit-infused, iced black tea. Outside of simply drinking tea, you can also use black tea in your kitchen in a variety of ways when cooking or baking! This includes making sauces, dressings, dry rubs, and more. Check out our recipes here at Revolution Tea that include the most popular ways to include black tea!
Note: To correctly brew the tea for your recipes, be sure to follow this chart.
IV. Benefits of Black Tea
There are many health benefits surrounding the use of black tea, from improved heart function to better oral health. While there may be some claims that are unsubstantiated, it's clear the antioxidants are hugely beneficial to every tea drinker. The primary benefits being the healthy alternative for caffeine consumption and the ability to reduce potential cardiovascular disorders.
Black tea is a great alternative for coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Not only is black tea non-sweetened and lower calories than caffeinated alternatives, it also provides several health benefits. These powerful groups of polyphenols, which includes epigallocatechin gallate, theaflavins, thearubigins, an amino acid L-theanine. This is partnered with several other catechins or flavonoids that provide protection against the onset of a myriad of chronic disorders. According to National Institutes of Health experts, drinking black tea has a wide range of health benefits. This is due to the powerful antioxidants and other compounds in black tea that have ability to decrease inflammation and to reduce the potential risk for the onset of chronic conditions. In the last twenty years, research on natural health products at the molecular level has shown increasing physical benefits of black tea; their health benefits are now globally accepted as black tea usage is free from side effects.
At the National Institutes of Health, studies have shown drinking black tea regularly helps to reduce the potential chances of onset of cardiovascular disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes, bad cholesterol, ect. Therefore, it can be concluded that drinking black tea regularly significantly reduces the risk of onset of heart disorders. To use black tea to prevent health issues, it is recommended to drink three cups of black tea per day to significantly improve the status of antioxidants in the body. In addition, no credible evidence has shown black tea causing harm to individuals if consumed in this amount. Moreover, studies also show that drinking black tea improves cholesterol levels of not only adults with potential risk of heart disorders, but also in those who are obese. In addition to these benefits, consuming black tea also plays a beneficial role in reducing body weight. Polyphenols that are present in black tea inhibit obesity through suppression of one's digestion and absorption of both lipid and complex sugar. Black tea polyphenols can increase lipolysis and can decrease lipid accumulation by reducing the spread of fat cells in the body. Therefore, it is proven that black tea polyphenols are even more effective than the polyphenols present in green tea.
A Revolution in Tea
From the information present above and more, the professional health community agrees drinking black tea is not only good news for your taste buds but for your whole body! Revolution Tea's selection of aromatic, flavorful, and fruity black teas include such favorites as Bombay Chai, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Raspberry, and Sweet Ginger Peach. Our groundbreaking mesh flow-through infuser tea bags were introduced in 2000, capturing the full flavor and aroma of loose, full-leaf tea in the convenience of a tea bag. This ensures properly timed steeping along with all the benefits of the essential oils that pass through the bags into each cup.
We know how important it is to find the perfect tea. As seen through history, black tea is the best go-to option to start your morning or to serve at parties. No matter how you choose to drink tea, there is no denying how beneficial it can be for your body. So go ahead, try something new and pour yourself some black tea – we think you just might fall in love!
