Black Tea

A bit lighter than our River Shannon Blend, this English Breakfast style tea is a rich blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Keemun. Best with milk.

Whole-leaf or broken-leaf Assam (depending on availability), decaffeinated with pure carbon dioxide.

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.)

Well twisted, ebony brown leaves and a complement of silver buds yield a dark, satisfying infusion with a sweet aroma. Notes of honey and malt round out the bright, toasty cup, which could accommodate milk, if desired. A pleasant briskness lingers in the light fruity finish.

This bold-leaf, breakfast-style black tea blend from Colombia has a warm aroma reminiscent of baking chocolate, with toasty hints. The dark amber cup is full-bodied and honey sweet with a creamy smooth mouth feel that sets the stage for notes of rich cocoa and apricot. The finish is smooth and lingering.

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

This naturally flavored Earl Grey tea showcases a perfect balance between the natural bergamot flavor and the black tea base. This is a great choice for those who enjoy a lighter Earl Grey tea.

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.

This premium blend of decaffeinated broken-leaf Assam black teas produces a rich, full-bodied cup. The aroma is sweet with hints of malt. The dark copper liquor is bright with a smooth mouth feel, leading to a pleasant pungency lingering in the finish.

A full-bodied and flavorful Ceylon blend. An excellent morning tea, especially suited for the addition of milk and sugar.

An abundance of downy golden tips provides a striking contrast to the dark brown leaves in this Assam selection. The toasty aroma is complex with hints of malt, warm cocoa, and red wine. The deep copper cup is bright and lively, introducing layers of Burgundy and malt that are complemented by a suggestion of spice in the crisp, lingering finish.

China black tea base with bergamot flavor. Produced for the British market, this tea has less bergamot than some American counterparts.

Fine black tea is blended with cocoa, cardamom and cinnamon to produce a balanced and warming cup. This naturally flavored selection offers a decadent treat for any chocolate or tea lover.

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.

A blend of whole-leaf Assam and genuine Bourbon vanilla. The combination makes a delightful afternoon blend.

A light sprinkling of golden tips adorns the glossy dark brown leaves in this stunning Mao Feng selection. The copper ruby cup exhibits a complex aroma and flavor with rich notes of earth, wine, and smoke. A hint of spice in the finish complements the silky sweet character.

A whole-leaf, organic Nilgiri tea with vibrant aromatics, a sweet cup, and a gentle, crisp bite. Smooth yet very flavorful with medium body. Enjoyable plain or with milk.

This estate produces some of the best whole-leaf teas in Sri Lanka. For the Ceylon enthusiast. Drink with or without milk. A choice lot with a bold-leaf style. Steep for five to six minutes.

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.

The top standard of decaffeinated Darjeeling tea available, and by far the best we have cupped. Please note that even the best decaffeinated teas lose some of the flavor and complexity of their unprocessed counterparts.

This fine C.T.C. (Crush-Tear-Curl) style of tea infuses quickly. One minute of steeping produces a hearty cup of flavorful tea.

An eye-opening liveliness leads the way for rich notes of malt, oak and Burgundy, sweetened by nuances of caramel and amaretto, in this Assam selection. The full-bodied, ruby-copper cup is fragrant with an inviting maltiness and a fleeting whisper of rose. The finish is smooth and lingering. Add a splash of milk to enhance this tea’s rich qualities.

With its creamy lemon fragrance and sweet lemon flavor, this naturally flavored black tea has quickly become a staff favorite. The smooth tea base lends a full mouth feel to the refreshing cup. Great hot or iced.

A choice blend of regional Ceylons.

A rich, organic tea with solid body and full mouth feel. A pleasing, balanced cup with a classic Nilgiri flavor and style.

Chai is traditionally made by simmering tea and fresh spices in highly sweetened milk. This naturally flavored version may be prepared like regular steeped tea, or the more traditional way by simmering 5-8 minutes in a pan of milk. Add lots of honey or sugar and serve hot or iced. This selection has pronounced clove and cinnamon notes that balance wonderfully with the premium black tea base.

In this premium selection, a bounty of small golden tips provides a stunning contrast to the dark brown leaves. The medium amber cup is rich and full-bodied with a classic brisk character and honeyed fragrance. Burgundy notes join hints of spice and raisin, lingering in the finish.

From the Chamraj Estate in the Nilgiri Mountains of southern India, this “Frost” tea is grown during the cold winter months, which imparts a unique character to the light amber cup. A sweet floral aroma introduces the silky smooth liquor, setting the stage for a pronounced sweetness that envelops notes of juicy tropical fruit. A long lingering finish completes a very satisfying tea experience.

The aromatic, dark-brown leaves of this Congou black tea produce a deep amber liquor, fragrant with hints of cocoa and a dark sugar sweetness. The medium-bodied cup is bright and smooth, featuring toasty/woody notes accented by hints of cocoa and a gentle, lingering toastiness. A solid everyday cup at an attractive price.

The natural flavor of blackcurrant lends a refreshing tartness to the black tea base. Contains dried blackcurrants and blackberry leaves.

Located in the Dooars region at the southern edge of Darjeeling district, the Nuxalbari Estate is a tea garden dedicated to the safety of Asian elephants and their environments. A bright citrus/bergamot aroma introduces this organic Earl Grey selection. In the dark amber cup, lively bergamot notes are complemented by a thick rounded mouth feel and the bold flavor of the premium black tea base. Hints of lemon, cedar, and flowers lead to a crisp, lingering finish.

This decaffeinated tea offering is a medium-bodied, breakfast-style tea. A toasty hint complements the smooth, rich flavor.

Good color and strength for a hearty cup. Takes milk very well.

Silver-gold tips adorn bold, dark brown leaves in this second flush Nepal black tea offering. The amber cup is smooth and rich with a toasty aroma hinting of fruit. A honey-sweet aspect blooms as the tea cools, complemented by a full mouth feel and hints of muscatel. Herbaceous nuances linger in the lively finish.

Blended with dried lemon peels and blue cornflower petals, this CO2 decaffeinated black tea offering is creamy smooth and rich with notes of sweet lemon cake. Enjoy this delicious treat hot or iced.

This first flush offering is noteworthy for its eminently smooth character and pronounced honey sweetness. The light amber-gold cup is fragrant with an inviting aroma hinting of stone fruit and flowers. Tropical fruit hints and a gentle whisper of toastiness lead to a crisp, refreshing finish.

A brisk, lively character distinguishes this Assam offering. Accented with hints of cocoa, a rich malty aroma introduces the dark copper cup. A toasty sweetness embraces notes of cocoa and malt in the flavor, ending with a smooth, lingering finish.

This organic, broken-leaf selection has a classic high-grown aroma and flavor, brisk and rich. With its full body, the medium amber cup would make a great breakfast tea.

This superior selection is the second plucking of the first flush season at the Upper division of Namring Estate, one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling district. Ultra-bold leaves, in shades of olive green accented with silver tips, produce a pale amber-gold cup, fragrant with hints of tropical fruit. A smooth buttery mouth feel complements pronounced floral notes and hints of corn silk, enfolded in a rich honey sweetness that lingers long into the finish.

The wiry, ebony-brown leaves of this premium Congou black tea from Fujian province produce a very dark amber liquor with an enticing cocoa aroma. The smooth, rich cup tastes of premium dark chocolate accented by a whisper of spice. The finish is long and lingering with nuances of toffee. This decadent treat is the perfect accompaniment to dessert.

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 fine complement of golden tips sets this stylish selection apart. The flavor has classic Burgundy-like Keemun notes, with subtle smokiness and a hint of cocoa. This one comes close to the Hao-Ya 'A' Keemun of days past.

This superlative first flush offering is the very first plucking at the Rohini Estate, located in the Kurseong valley of Darjeeling district. The exquisite leaves display full leaf sets, crowned with downy silver tips. Accented by notes of honey and corn silk, the sweet aroma evokes the freshness of early spring. The delicate amber-gold cup is buttery smooth with classic floral notes, complemented by light vegetal hints. A lively crisp quality lingers in the finish, completing an unparalleled tea experience.

Dried blueberries and natural flavoring complement the full-bodied black tea base, yielding a dark copper liquor with a sweet blueberry aroma and flavor. Enjoy this well-balanced blend hot or iced.

A natural mango-flavored black tea base is decorated with dried mango pieces and sunflower petals. The dark copper liquor has a pronounced mango aroma and flavor, juicy and sweet.

Decorated with dried cranberries and blackberry leaves, this naturally flavored black tea is bursting with sweet cranberry notes in both the aroma and the cup. The flavor lingers long into the smooth finish. Great hot or iced.

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 juxtaposition of dark leaves and golden tips gives this black tea from Colombia a beautiful appearance. The dark copper amber liquor is fragrant with toasty cocoa hints. The rich cocoa quality carries on in the flavor of the full-bodied cup, finishing with a raisin sweetness.

In this naturally flavored selection, the creamy vanilla aroma and flavor envelop the premium decaffeinated black tea base with a velvety richness. A delicious treat for the evening. Great hot or iced.

The warm inviting aroma of this naturally flavored black tea is fragrant with notes of creamy vanilla and spice. This is the fourth of four special teas created to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. A blend of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, clove and vanilla bits brings the perfect balance of sweet and spicy to the premium black tea base. Whether for a holiday gathering or cozying up with your favorite book, this delicious cuppa is sure to please.

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.

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.

The natural flavor of apricot lends a sweet, juicy flavor to the black tea base. Contains dried apricot bits (apricots, sugar).

Blended from select teas of India, Sri Lanka, and China to appeal to those who favor an eye-opening experience in the morning, this broken-leaf tea yields a cup with a round, full flavor, malty notes, and brisk character. A perfect choice to start the day.

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

This Assam selection produces a dark cup with a full flavor profile. Notes of cocoa and a delicate caramel hint complement a sweet and toasty aroma for an enjoyable cup.

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

The Crush-Tear-Curl manufacturing method produces quick-brewing teas with full flavor. We highly recommend this blend of Assam teas for those who like a very hearty cup. Exquisite with milk.

A hearty blend of Ceylon and Assam teas, this tea is rich and flavorful, even with extra milk.

From the Monte Metilile Estate, small, well-made leaves produce a smooth, robust breakfast blend with a toasty aroma and rich mouth feel. Hints of stone fruit add a sweetness to both the aroma and the dark amber cup. Delicious with or without a splash of milk, this organic tea is the perfect choice to accompany something sweet.

The best China Lapsang Souchong we have found. To our knowledge, we are the only importer of this grade of Lapsang Souchong tea. Superior in flavor. Very smoky, yet quite mellow.

A mélange of China Bohea and Congou black teas creates this hearty breakfast blend, perfect for your morning cup. Notes of earth and red wine are complemented by a toffee sweetness in the fragrant aroma. The dynamic flavor profile features notes of earth, semi-sweet cocoa, and oak Burgundy, enveloped by a rich syrupy dark sweetness that lingers into the finish.

A rich, inviting fragrance introduces this naturally flavored, premium black tea selection. This is the third of four special teas created to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. The robust cup is smooth and full-bodied with pronounced deep bergamot notes. The finish is long and lingering.

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

A more refined version of our Original Blend Russian Caravan (TB60), this blend of choice teas from India, China, and Formosa yields a smooth, satisfying cup with a bright character. Toasty notes and a light sweetness lead to a crisp finish. A great afternoon tea.

A mellow, whole-leaf blend of Keemun, Ceylon, and Darjeeling. An exceptional tea that is smooth enough for drinking plain, and sturdy enough to take milk or lemon.

A tribute to the famous London tea auctions, our Leadenhall Street Breakfast Blend is a blend of two classic British teas: a brisk Ceylon and a thick, malty Assam. The result is a flavorful mixture which lends itself to the addition of milk.

Named after Robert Fortune who toured the tea producing regions in the 1840s under the auspices of the East India Company. Darjeeling adds a pleasing brightness; Yunnan lends a dark, honey colored liquor and delicately spicy overtones.

For this blend, we paired a hearty Assam with a smooth and flavorful Yunnan, for a cup that is highly enjoyable. The invigorating liquor has a full mouth feel, subtle spicy notes, and a lingering aftertaste. While milk is recommended, it is enjoyable plain.

A hearty blend of rich CTC Assam and BOP Ceylon teas, yielding a cup with robust flavor and a brisk finish. This is an organic version of a classic, bracing breakfast blend.

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

A rich breakfast blend especially suited for those who enjoy a powerful cup in the morning. This also is a great choice for iced tea. Java teas are never expensive, so you get the best produced for a few cents a cup.

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 bit of Lapsang Souchong is blended with Keemun and Darjeeling, yielding a mildly smoky tea. Perfect for an afternoon uplift.

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.

An exceptional golden tip Darjeeling blend. We first introduced this tea in 1990 and it continues to be our most popular Darjeeling.

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

The fragrant, dark brown leaves yield a deep amber liquor with a light smoky aroma, hinting of earth and wine. The smooth cup is rich and full-bodied, accented with smoky/earthy nuances. The finish lingers with a hint of spice.

Fragrant with notes of dark cocoa powder, the rich aroma portends the velvety smooth, full-bodied cup filled with pronounced cocoa flavor. A warm toastiness wraps around sweet hints of honey that linger in the finish.

Cultivated at the Monte Metilile Estate on the lower slopes of Mount Namuli, this organic loose leaf black tea selection from Mozambique yields a velvety smooth, dark amber liquor that is rich and full-bodied. A warm toasty aroma and dark sugar sweetness contribute to a satisfying cup with a substantial mouth feel and lingering finish.

This tippy, whole-leaf version offers more complexity of flavor, while still maintaining the body and strength characteristic of East Frisian tea blends.

Our Golden Kenya tea is sold in either bold broken-leaf or whole-leaf, depending upon availability. The cup has full flavor and aroma, with medium body. May be enjoyed plain, but it is strong enough to accommodate a touch of milk. A brisk character with a subtle hint of rose makes this selection especially interesting.

With its robust character and full mouth feel, this organic black tea selection from Colombia is a great morning eye opener. Notes of sweet milk chocolate predominate in both the aroma and the dark ruby copper cup. Hints of Burgundy and malt provide a lively complement to the rich flavor. A smooth finish completes an exceptional tea experience. A staff favorite.

Sprinkled with golden tips, the bold, dark brown leaves of this Assam selection produce a hearty, complex cup, redolent with a rich maltiness. Rich notes of cocoa are supported by hints of malt and a stone fruit sweetness in the dark amber-copper liquor. A whisper of spice may be found in the lingering finish. A staff favorite.

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.

Attractive and bold, the large, dark brown leaves of this organic black tea offering have a folded, crepey appearance. The medium amber cup has a hint of caramel sweetness, a warm toasty quality, and a gentle pungency that plays at the edge of your palate.

Fragrant notes of ripe peach scent this naturally flavored, premium black tea from China. This is the second of four special teas created to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Decorated with flower blossoms, the ebony-brown leaves produce a rich, full-bodied cup, the perfect balance of black tea flavor and sweet notes of juicy peach. Enjoy “a day at the peach” with this truly decadent treat. Great hot or iced.

This tea is comparable with our retired TE98: Huang Shan Sunset Tea.

The very bold, twisted leaves of this black tea offering from Colombia yield a dark amber copper liquor with an inviting toasty aroma. The rich, full-bodied cup is very smooth with a cocoa mouth feel. A hint of caramelized sugar and whisper of spice linger in the finish.

Fannings grade teas infuse quickly, producing a robust beverage. This blend of rich teas from Indonesia, Africa, and India will please those who like a hearty tea at a moderate price.

In this naturally flavored Earl Grey selection, the strong Ceylon black tea base is well balanced with notes of lavender and bright bergamot.

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.

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 blend of choice C.T.C. grade Assam teas, with the typical malty and flavorful taste profile. A perfect choice for those seeking a strong morning cup.

The cup has a full flavor and aroma, with a medium body. May be enjoyed plain, but it is strong enough to accommodate a touch of milk. Longer steepings yield a robust cup with notes of rose and peppery hints. At briefer steepings, the liquor is sweeter and more delicate.

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.