The best black tea to brew in 2025, according to testers and experts

Especially in the U.S., black tea is one of the most underrated beverages. While coffee often steals the spotlight for its bold flavor and caffeine kick, the best black tea quietly offers a complex range of tastes, health benefits and rich traditions that earn it a permanent spot in your pantry.

Besides its caffeine content, black tea is known for being rich in antioxidants, which help protect your cells from free radicals and oxidative stress. “Black tea leaves are an excellent source of polyphenols, a family of compounds that have been linked to a variety of health benefits,” says Amanda Sauceda, MS, RD. For instance, they’ve been shown to help lower insulin resistance, support brain health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Sauceda adds that polyphenols may also support gut health by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Brewing a cup may even be beneficial for your bones, too.

Whether you’re a tea novice or a seasoned enthusiast, part of the beauty of black tea is that it comes in many forms, so there really is an option for everyone. From the brisk and malty Assam to the fragrant and smooth Darjeeling, there’s no shortage of black teas to suit your taste. We spoke with two dietitians and two tea experts to better understand the benefits and different types of black tea. From there, I put 16 teas to the test to find the best options for your morning brew. If you’re feeling thirsty and ready for a cuppa, continue reading for our picks of the best black teas in 2025.

Best overall black tea

More black teas we like for 2025

Types of black tea

Whether you’re a fan of classic blends like English Breakfast, or prefer the smoky intensity of Lapsang Souchong, there’s a black tea for every palate. Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular types of black teas.

• Assam: Native to the Assam region of India, this tea is known for its larger leaves. Susan Kelly, owner of Temecula Spice & Tea Merchants, based in Temecula, California explains that Assam is often used to make CTC (crush, tear, curl) tea for bags. In this process, the leaves are crushed, torn and curled into small, uniform pieces, ideal for quick steeping and strong, brisk brews. Assam’s bold flavor makes it a key ingredient in spiced tea blends like chai. It’s also the main tea found in Irish Breakfast blends.

• Darjeeling: Darjeeling, often called the “champagne of tea,” is grown at high elevations in Darjeeling, India. “This area produces a flavor profile unlike any other tea-growing region in the world,” says Kelly. Prized for its distinctive muscatel flavor, Darjeeling is a favorite among tea enthusiasts who appreciate its delicate yet complex taste.

• English Breakfast: This very popular black tea blend can vary in its exact makeup but generally is a full-bodied blend with origins in East Africa, Ceylon and Assam.

• Earl Grey: This classic breakfast tea is known for its notes of bergamot oil, which is found in the rind of the bergamot orange — a zesty complement to black tea’s bold flavor.

• Ceylon: Originating in the highlands of Sri Lanka, this black tea is known for being especially rich in antioxidants. It has a bold, full-body flavor with a hint of citrus and a smooth finish.

• Yunnan: “The tea from this region, also known as Dian Hong, comes from older tea bushes,” says Kelly. This tea offers a delicious depth of flavor that’s often described as caramel- or honey-like.

• Keemun: In the West, this tea is known as Keemun, but in China, it’s called Qi Men Hong Cha, meaning “red tea from Qi Men. “Qi Men is a township in An Hui Province, part of the greater Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain) region, renowned for producing teas with a savory, elegant flavor profile, reflecting the unique characteristics of its terroir. Keemun is very aromatic with notes of rose and honey,” explains Richard Kligler, founder of All the Tea in Charleston, South Carolina.

• Lapsang Souchong: This tea comes from Fujian Province, China or Taiwan. “It is a fully oxidized black tea that’s been smoked over pine or fir wood. Depending on the length of time in a smoking shed and the initial flavor of the tea itself, the smoky intensity will vary,” says Kelly.

• Nilgiri: “From an elevation of 8,202 feet, these tea bushes thrive because of the perfect growing conditions. This allows the tea to be grown virtually all year round,” says Kelly. She also explains that the best harvest comes from leaves plucked from December to March, as the cold air allows the flavor to fully develop. “Like the Assam leaves and all-year growing season, this tea is commonly used for the CTC method,” adds Kelly.

• Dian Hong: Dian Hong is known for its notes of rose, cocoa and dark honey. “Dian Hong is a relative newcomer to the red tea scene and was created in 1939. It is currently the most popular black tea in China. It was initially developed in Feng Qing in Yunnan Province and is now produced throughout the province. Dian Hong is a big leaf varietal with a string shape,” explains Kligler.

Factors to consider when purchasing black tea

There are numerous factors to consider to ensure your brew offers the quality and flavor profile that you’re looking for. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind when shopping for black tea.

• Leaf grade: Leaf grade is determined based on the size, shape and final crafting of the processed and dried tea leaves, though exact rubrics vary by region. According to Kligler, the Chinese system is a reliable standard. “The Chinese tea grading system is usually numbered, and the lower the number, the higher the grade, with ‘1’ being the highest. The grade does not have an upper number, though it is usually not higher than 7 or 9. The grading does not include the quality of the taste of the tea,” he explains.

• Growing region/origin: Just like wine or coffee, the growing region greatly affects the flavor and nutritional profile of black tea.

• Blends vs. single origin: Many products feature a blend of teas, rather than just a single type. Compared to single-origins, these teas tend to be more complex in flavor and offer a consistent taste across harvests. English Breakfast is a good example of a blend. However, some people prefer the distinct characteristics of a specific tea type, making single-origin teas a better fit. Additionally, single-origin teas may offer a greater level of transparency, allowing you to know exactly where your tea came from and how it was processed.

• Packaging options: “If purchasing loose-leaf black tea, I prefer it packaged in tins. For individual black teabags, I recommend looking for those made from compostable materials or unbleached paper to avoid plastics and other chemicals leaching into your tea,” says Megan Huff, RD, LD of Nutrition by Megan.

• Teabags vs. loose leaf: Tea in a box with paper teabags is often CTC (cut-tear-curl) or broken tea leaves. “The best flavor comes from whole tea leaves. Flavor and quality degrade as the leaves get broken, torn and cut into smaller pieces. ‘Dust in a bag’ does not equal premium Orthodox tea,” says Kelly. That isn’t to say you can’t find high-quality black tea teabags — it might just be more challenging than shopping for loose leaf. Another consideration is ease of brewing. Loose-leaf tea requires a tea infuser or reusable teabags, which isn’t as convenient as simply plopping a pre-filled teabag into a mug.

• Certifications: If sustainability or organic initiatives are important to you, look for teas with certifications like USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified or Rainforest Alliance Certified.

• Price: Prices vary depending on the quality of the tea leaf, when it was harvested and the skill level of the master blender. “Premium tea may be sourced from a single estate, picked during the ‘first flush,’ dried whole. [It’s often] unblended and sold pure. Lesser quality tea may be picked during the ‘last flush’ (late season), cut into smaller pieces and blended with lesser quality leaves,” explains Kelly.

• Brands: While you can certainly find a good-quality brand at the grocery store or big-box stores like Target, visiting a specialty tea store or tea house is a great way to learn about new brands and maybe get to sample a cup or two.”[By shopping at a specialty store,] you should find staff who are enthusiastic about their product, knowledgeable and willing to educate you about your purchase,” says Kelly. Many stores will have a private label. “This is a good practice because it usually means the merchant has hand-selected each tea and stands behind their product,” she adds.

How we chose the best black tea

For this review, we consulted two tea experts and two registered dietitians to discuss the health benefits of black tea and key factors to consider when buying it. As someone who has been drinking tea regularly for years, I know what I like and have tried countless brands and products. By combining my experience with our experts’ insights, I narrowed the testing pool down to 16 black teas.

Over the course of several weeks, each tea was prepared according to the instructions on its packaging and evaluated based on its ease of brewing, aroma and flavor profile. When determining the “winner” for each category, I also considered the origin and quality of the tea leaves, the packaging and the cost to determine each tea’s overall value.

FAQs

What is the caffeine content of black tea?

The amount of caffeine in black tea varies depending on the type of tea and how long it’s brewed for. On average, one 8-ounce cup of black tea has 47 mg of caffeine — about half the amount of coffee. “This makes black tea a nice option for those who want to decrease their caffeine intake but still want a little boost,” says Sauceda.

How do I brew black tea properly?

Water temperature and steep time are the most important factors to brew black tea properly. Unless recommended otherwise by the brand, Kelly recommends heating your water to 190–200°F (just below boiling). Next, add you teabag or infuser into your mug and pour the hot water over the tea. Let it steep for 3–5 minutes, remove the teabag or infuser and add milk, sugar or lemon juice to taste.

Another tip for a perfect brew? “Begin with the best quality water available,” advises Kelly. Tap water contains minerals and chlorine, which can give tea an unnatural flavor. Instead, use filtered water (when possible) to fill your kettle.

How much loose-leaf tea should I use?

A good rule of thumb is 1 tsp of loose-leaf tea per 8 oz. of water. “Be mindful of the size of your cup because if you feel like your tea is weak your cup might be holding more water than you think,” says Sauceda, who loves making lattes with black tea. “The trick to making your latte taste like you bought it is to ensure your tea is good quality and brewed strong. I will sometimes use a little more loose-leaf tea or do a longer brew time to get a stronger flavor. This way, when I add my milk, it doesn’t dilute the taste,” she adds.

How should I store black tea for optimal freshness?

Tea should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry area. “Tin, ceramic or stainless steel is optimal. Black tea will last 1 to 2 years when stored properly. If it contains any spices or fruits, it will degrade sooner,” says Kelly.

What are the differences between black tea and other tea types?

Huff explains that the biggest difference between black tea and other types of tea, like green or white, is that the leaves are fully oxidized during processing, resulting in darker-colored leaves with a higher caffeine content. Besides color and caffeine, black tea’s flavor also sets it apart, typically having a stronger, more malty flavor than other varieties.

“Both black and green tea contain antioxidants; however, black tea is richer in theaflavins, while green tea is high in catechins,” Huff says. While the exact concentration and types of antioxidant differ, most tea is a good source of these mighty plant-based compounds.

Can black tea be consumed with milk or sugar?

Absolutely. Many people add milk or sugar to make black tea less bitter. “Some tea, like English Breakfast, especially lends itself to using milk because it helps to cut the tannins that naturally occur in black tea,” says Kelly.

Other teas we tested

• Four Sigmatic Focus Organic Black Tea: This scoop-based instant black tea is calming and full of potential health benefits, thanks to lion’s mane mushroom extract and L-theanine. Organic monk fruit extract and lemon juice round out the ingredient list, providing a boost of flavor with zero added sugar. That said, reviews on the taste are mixed, and it isn’t cheap. It’s also important to note that lion’s mane may cause mild GI side effects in some people and isn’t recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have auto-immune diseases or are taking certain prescription medications.

• Clipper Tea Decaf Black Tea: Featuring Fair Trade, naturally decaffeinated, organic Assam, this British-based tea is a great choice. The only potential downside is the flavor, which is a bit milder than what you’d expect from Assam tea.

• Harney & Sons Classic Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea: If we could give an award for best tin, this one would be it. Packaged in a beautiful white and orange tins, this tea is the perfect gift, especially during the cooler months. Thanks to a blend of black tea, cinnamon orange peel and sweet cloves, the tea is bursting with flavor. While it wouldn’t be our go-to year-round, it’s perfect for sipping on a crisp fall day.

• Twinings Lady Grey Black Tea: This reliable black tea is perfect for an afternoon cup during a break at the office. Its lovely citrus and herbal notes make it a pleasant choice.

• Stash Uplifting Double Bergamot Earl Grey: Another great Earl Grey option, this tea from Stash is widely available and has a lovely bergamot flavor with a bold finish. One of our testers reports, “It’s a good, mild flavor, not too strong and an enjoyable cup of tea.”

• E&E Tea Company Loose Leaf Black Tea: For fans of loose-leaf tea, this brand is worth considering. I impressed with the quality, freshness and taste of the tea. Plus, I appreciated that it’s available in three sizes, making it easy to try a smaller amount before investing in a large bag.

Meet our experts

• Susan Kelly, owner of Temecula Spice & Tea Merchants, based in Temecula, Calif.

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.

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