Loose Leaf Black Tea

This medium-bodied black tea selection boasts long, twisted leaves that yield a bright amber liquor fragrant with hints of Burgundy and spice. A velvety smooth mouth feel sets the stage for notes of earth, cocoa, and honey, all of which become more pronounced as the tea cools. A whisper of spice lingers in the finish.

This unique black tea offering, “Zi Juan,” meaning “purple beauty,” originates from a purple bud varietal that was developed at the Menghai Research Station in Yunnan province. The purple-brown leaves have been loosely rolled and produce a dark amber liquor with a pronounced stone fruit aroma. The cup is smooth and sweet with a jammy/juicy character that hints of red wine. A suggestion of almond/nutty nuances leads to a clean finish.

This superior China black tea is a great after-dinner tea. Stands up nicely to milk; delectable plain. (Our original China Yunnan, introduced as item TP50.)

Elegant, downy gold tips are showcased in this superb black tea offering from Yunnan province. A sweet cocoa aroma pairs well with toasty/biscuity notes in the thick, rich cup. A silky smooth mouth feel envelops hints of cocoa that linger long into the finish.

High-grown Yunnan of excellent quality. Sold by some as the best available, this grade is actually the best of the commonly available grades. Brisk flavor without the harshness of lesser Yunnan teas.

The dark brown leaves of this selection are accented with golden tips. Rich, earthy notes are present in the aroma and dark amber cup, and hints of white pepper and cassia add a pleasing accent. The smooth finish has a light tangy feel.

A Broken Orange Pekoe from Yunnan province, this tea is a hearty version of the whole-leaf varieties. Try it with milk for a British style Yunnan cup.

This outstanding Yunnan black tea selection is composed of handcrafted golden tips with a beautiful downy appearance. The russet-amber liquor is fragrant with hints of molasses. Layers of cocoa, spice, and earth weave together to create a rich flavor that is complemented by a caramelized sugar sweetness. A whisper of spice lingers in the finish.

This selection is handcrafted from a bold-leaf Yunnan varietal. The dry leaves are tightly rolled into a spiral snail shape, dark in color, with golden tip accents. The smooth cup is rich and full-bodied with notes of bittersweet cocoa and carob, as well as the classic Yunnan spice hints.

4 tins (approx. 35g each) of the following flavored black teas, depending upon seasonal availability: NT11: Extra Bergamot Earl Grey, NT33: Chai Spice Black Tea, NT94: Melange de Chamonix, NT01: Earl Grey Crème Vanilla Black Tea, NH26: Honeybush Vanilla, NT91: Christmas Black Tea, or NF90: Vanilla Black Tea.

Please note that Sampler Sets cannot be personalized.


Please note that the 4 teas in this sampler set will vary according to the season.

Produced at a small family tea garden in Shizuoka, Japan, this unique black tea is smoked for 6-8 hours using wood chips from an oak whisky barrel. A sweet, savory aroma, reminiscent of an autumn bonfire, introduces the velvety, full-bodied cup. A rich smoky/oak flavor takes center stage in the ruby-amber liquor, and is supported by a rounded fruity sweetness. The bold smokiness lingers long into the smooth finish, complemented by sweet whispers of amaretto and rose.

Produced at a small family tea garden in Shizuoka, Japan, this unique black tea is smoked for 6-8 hours using wood chips from a Japanese cherry wood whisky barrel. With layers of smoke, Burgundy and hints of floral sweetness, the aroma is reminiscent of a warm charcoal fire. A buttery mouth feel and hints of toffee complement the pronounced smoky notes in the smooth, rich cup. That smoky character is joined by a prevailing sweetness that lingers long after the last sip.

Smooth and rich, this second flush Darjeeling offers pronounced muscatel notes in both the fragrant aroma and the dark amber cup. Nutty/toasty nuances and hints of honey lead to a dry, lingering finish that hints of spice. Another sublime selection from Victoria’s Peak, a division of the renowned Steinthal Estate.

This naturally flavored, whole-leaf black tea is smooth and rich with creamy vanilla flavor. The aroma is fragrant with notes of sweet vanilla bean. Enjoy this decadent treat any time of day.

A melange of dried papaya, passion fruit and pineapple, blended with a rich black tea, creates a decadent tropical fruit experience. Fragrant and sweet, this tea is wonderful hot or iced.

A traditional Indian spiced tea recipe with a warm and robust character. The full flavor notes of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and clove hold up to milk and honey, the traditional way to take this tea.

This tea is the perfect choice to enjoy with a spoonful of our Tupelo Honey.

We are excited to offer this outstanding black tea selection as most teas of this superior quality do not leave China. Less than 9 kilograms was produced in Tong Mu, located high in the Wuyi Mountains (formerly Bohea Hills) of northern Fujian province. The large wiry, ebony-brown leaves yield a dark ruby-amber liquor with an inviting caramel aroma hinting of marzipan. The exquisitely smooth cup fills your mouth with a rich depth of flavor – toasted almond notes, hints of warming spices and honeyed apricot, a whisper of earthy smokiness – all embraced by a sweet syrupy quality. The finish lingers with a whisper of spice. This stellar selection is truly a joy to savor.

A whole-leaf Assam with golden tips (young leaf buds). Characteristic maltiness and complex flavor. This is our most popular Assam tea.

A uniform, broken-leaf tea with bold character and strong, malty flavor. This tea is a great choice for breakfast and throughout the day.

This outstanding selection displays beautiful leaves in shades of green, sprinkled with delicate, silvery tips. The fragrance is fresh and sweet, with hints of corn silk. The sparkling amber-gold cup is bursting with honey sweetness and rich floral notes reminiscent of a spring garden. A buttery smooth mouth feel supports light vegetal hints and a crisp, lively quality that lingers long into the finish. Savor each sip of this stellar offering.

Harvested on March 8, 2022, this is the very first plucking of the first flush season at Tindharia Estate. A profusion of downy silver tips decorate the olive-green leaves, which produce a fragrant golden liquor redolent with buttery floral notes suggestive of honeysuckle. The silky smooth cup fills your mouth with a lively feel that awakens the palate. Classic floral notes pair with a fruity sweetness reminiscent of juicy pineapple, which linger into the crisp finish. A truly delightful way to enjoy a tea moment at any time of day.

This naturally flavored selection is the perfect balance of bergamot, stone fruit and black tea flavor with a dollop of vanilla sweetness. Light hints of bergamot and a whisper of anise complement the distinctly sweet aroma. The cup is medium-bodied with a smooth creamy mouth feel and lingering finish.

In this superb second flush Darjeeling selection, warm notes of toast and fruit weave together in the fragrant aroma, reminiscent of stone fruit jam on toast. This rich combination reveals itself in the silky smooth flavor as well, complemented by hints of spice that linger into the finish. Try a splash of milk to enhance this tea’s great qualities.

With elevations ranging over 6,000 feet, the Thurbo Estate has been producing premium Darjeeling teas for over a century. In this first flush offering, silver tips decorate attractive leaves in a colorful display of olive greens. A rich toasty aroma introduces an amber-gold cup with an assertive character that enhances its full, lively mouth feel. Fresh floral/herbaceous notes and a honey sweetness are complemented by notes of stone fruit, which lend a gentle crispness to the lingering finish.

Decorated with downy silver tips, the bold olive-green leaves of this first flush selection produce a refreshing, amber-gold cup filled with tropical fruit sweetness. A light stone fruit aroma is complemented by crisp hints of white wine that linger in the smooth finish.

Decorated with dried orange peels, this naturally flavored black tea is redolent with the scent and flavor of a freshly squeezed orange. The citrus notes provide a delicious accent to the smooth tea base, which finishes on a crisp, clean note.

New lot arriving soon!
Formosa Keemun has a unique style that has attracted a dedicated following. This selection has the characteristic Oolong notes and gentle smokiness of this tea. It also has the lighter-colored leaf and infusion of our original Formosa Keemun from several years ago. Recommended for those seeking a divergence from traditional China Keemun.

A rich, full-bodied black tea provides a premium base for this naturally flavored selection. Refreshing notes of citrus fruit are prominent in both the aroma and the dark amber cup. Tiny juniper berries lend a crisp counterpoint to the lingering sweetness. Great hot or iced.

Pronounced floral/herbaceous notes permeate the sweet aroma of this broken-leaf second flush Darjeeling. The dark amber cup fills your mouth with rich notes of fruit and honey, which linger into the crisp finish. A great choice for a splash of milk, if desired.

Chunky leaves, in variegated shades of brown, produce a solid cup redolent with fragrant layers of fruit and spice, complemented by toasty/nutty hints. The dark amber liquor exhibits rich toasty notes wrapped in a stone fruit sweetness, which becomes more pronounced as the tea cools. This sweet character makes this second flush Darjeeling the perfect choice for iced tea.

A premium blend of Ceylon and China teas, the smooth black tea base balances well with the refreshing natural flavors of bergamot and citrus fruit. Popular in Europe, this Russian-style blend is recommended for an interesting departure from traditional Earl Grey.

To celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we created a robust breakfast blend of teas from new origins - Colombia, and old origins - India and Sri Lanka. The dark amber liquor is thick and rich with a silky smooth mouth feel and complex flavor. Enjoy this eye-opening cup to start your day or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

A perfect choice for breakfast tea, this broken-leaf selection wakes you up with its brisk, refreshing aroma. Notes of honey and a light floral hint blend harmoniously with a rich, toasty character.

The dark russet amber cup has a full, rich flavor, punctuated by a brisk, refreshing aroma. A citrus-like brightness embraces sweet honey notes in the medium-bodied liquor.

Harvested at the peak of the first flush season at Singtom Estate, this broken-leaf Darjeeling offering is redolent with the aroma of fresh flowers. The golden amber cup introduces a gentle astringency that plays at the edges of the palate, creating a wonderful counterpoint to the intensely sweet dried fruit hints in the vibrant flavor. A bright refreshing quality lingers in the finish.