With a rich history and drinking culture, tea is the second most drank liquid globally, right after water. And black tea is the most popular tea choice. It’s a vegan-friendly drink, suitable for different diets and lifestyles. Many drink it clear, loving its deep earthy flavour and strong aroma, while others like it with sugar and milk or cream.
Once reserved for the aristocracy and adopted by British royalty as the drink of choice, black tea is one of the most popular teas worldwide. It’s available for people everywhere, and there is even black tea wholesale available for tea lovers and tea or coffee shops to buy their favourite blends of loose leaf delights.
Whether you’re a black tea lover already or new to the tea-drinking community, many people aren’t aware of the many health scientifically-proven benefits black tea has. Knowledge is power, they say, and knowing these benefits can encourage even those that aren’t keen on tea to brew a cup or two. So, what is black tea good for? We’ve summed up five amazing reasons why you should consider drinking black tea daily. But first, a little about what makes black tea so special.
Contents
Black Tea Basics: How Is It Made?
Black tea comes from the leaves of the plant called Camellia Sinensis. This is the same plant that green, white, oolong and Pu-erh come from, with differences in harvesting, oxidation and processing. What makes black tea different from others is that during the production process, the tea leaves are allowed to fully oxidise before they are heat-processed and dried. The way that oxygen interacts with the leaves is what gives them their famous rich dark brown to black colour. Oxidation affects the flavour of the black tea as well, adding malty, fruity or even smoky notes, depending on the tea.
Black tea is typically produced in 2 main ways: orthodox and CTC (Crush-Tear-Curl). The orthodox method takes more time, allowing the leaves to stay whole or only partially broken and then rolled to start oxidation. The CTC method includes cutting the leaves into small pieces, allowing quicker oxidation. This makes the CTC black tea stronger and bolder than the rolled-leaf type.
Black Tea History: Where Does It Come From?
Like many other tea types, black tea originates from the tea-drinking capital of the world – China. A farmer accidentally left tea leaves in the sun, which made them quickly oxidise, turning dark red and brown. Instead of throwing them, he decided to give them a second chance, drying them on a pine tree. Amazed by the smoky aroma, he continued the process, and that’s how black tea was born.
Known as Lapsang Souchong, black tea leaves became very popular among British and Dutch, who began to battle over them. Later on, the British discovered a variety of Camellia Sinensis growing in the Assam region of India. They started planting tea gardens in India’s Darjeeling region, near Nepal. That’s how the Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Orange Pekoe blends were created.
Today’s biggest producers of black tea are Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, and Kenya.
5 Amazing Black Tea Health Benefits
1. Rich in Antioxidants
We all know that antioxidants provide many health benefits. By consuming them, we may reduce body inflammation, significantly reducing the risk of chronic illnesses and improving our overall health. Many people take supplements that contain antioxidants. However, it’s proven that the best way to take them is through our diet, consuming foods and beverages that have antioxidant properties.
Most of the health benefits that black tea provides are because of the high levels of antioxidants. The main antioxidants in black tea are a group of polyphenols, including catechins. Studies have shown that these ingredients help to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which reduces the risk of diabetes, obesity and elevated cholesterol. This helps reduce high blood pressure and improve heart health.
Studies have shown a decrease in body fat, which makes black tea a great natural alternative to weight-loss supplements. So, have you brewed your cup of antioxidants today?
2. Enhances Gut Health
Our gut contains trillions of bacteria and 70–80% of your immune system. Some of them are beneficial for our health, some are not. The type of bacteria may play a significant role in your health.
Black tea may help maintain a healthy gut by promoting the growth of good bacteria and inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria. It also contains antimicrobial properties that kill off harmful substances and improve immunity. After a meal, a cup of black tea can help with a stomach ache, providing comfort and relief.
3. Improves Focus and Concentration
Black tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine – about half that of a cup of coffee. It also contains an amino acid called L-theanine. Studies have shown that beverages containing a combination of these 2 ingredients have an amazing impact on our brain, making them the best solution for improving focus and concentration. That’s why many people feel alert for longer periods without having the side effects of drinking much more caffeinated drinks like coffee.
4. Good for Skin and Hair
Being the largest organ, our skin is often the first to show signs of unwellness and inflammation. Drinking black tea regularly can prevent skin infections, reduce blemishes and puffiness. Black tea is also found to be very beneficial for our hair, preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth. We can do that both by drinking it or using tea hair rinses. It also acts as a natural hair dye.
5. Improves Oral Health
Last but not least, black tea is excellent for your oral hygiene. It does this to reduce plaque formation and restrict bacterial growth. It targets harmful bacteria in the mouth, responsible for causing cavities. Therefore, you can drink your cup of tea to help fight off cavities.
The Takeaway
Since there are many available sources of black tea today, buying your tea from a trusted black tea wholesale supplier will ensure you’re getting the freshest black tea you can sip. Such suppliers love tea and carefully source and blend their tea leaves to bring you only the best black tea drinking experience. They can tell you when and how the tea was processed and packaged. Only by drinking high-quality tea blends you can reap all the benefits of black tea for your health.