Chinese black tea: the smooth and mellow “red tea” of China

Ask for “black tea” in China and you may get a puzzled look. There it is called hong cha, “red tea”, after the coppery colour of the cup rather than the colour of the leaves. That small detail of vocabulary already says a lot: what matters is the brew.

What is Chinese black tea?

Like all teas, black tea comes from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Its leaves are withered, rolled, left to oxidise fully and then dried. China, the birthplace of tea, is also where this method is thought to have originated, in the mountains of Fujian province. It was also from China that the first teas reached Europe, brought by Dutch merchants in the 17th century.

Several Chinese provinces have lent their names to renowned black teas, such as Keemun from Anhui or the black teas of Yunnan. Tea lovers often describe them as rounder and gentler than many black teas from elsewhere, with notes that can recall honey, cocoa or dried fruit.

As the product sheet states, ours is a black tea from China. Like all tea, it naturally contains caffeine.

How to brew it

Our druggist recommends it as an infusion, prepared with a little care to bring out its smoothness:

• Measure about one teaspoon of leaves per cup.
• Heat the water to the boil, then let it rest for a moment: at around 90 to 95 °C the tea stays mellow.
• Steep for 3 to 4 minutes, then separate the leaves from the tea.
• Brew again if you like: many Chinese black teas give a pleasant second cup, slightly lighter.

Tasting it

Try it plain first, without sugar or milk, to discover its aromas. Served in a small, pale porcelain cup, it shows off its colour. It pairs nicely with a plain biscuit, a square of dark chocolate or a nut pastry, for a proper afternoon break.

Precautions

Worth remembering. Black tea contains caffeine: if you are sensitive to it, keep it for the daytime. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children or if you are taking medication, ask for advice before drinking it regularly. To preserve its aromas, store it in an airtight tin away from heat and moisture.

Our products

• Chinese black tea – a coppery, well-rounded cup, best enjoyed plain.

A break with character

Chinese black tea is an invitation to take your time: a few minutes of steeping, a hot cup, a moment to yourself. If you would like to compare several teas or choose a suitable teapot, the team at Droguerie Perusset in Yverdon-les-Bains will be glad to help.