Black Tea

Organic black tea from Clipper, Pukka, Teapigs and Dragonfly.

English breakfast, Earl Grey, everyday and decaf, in everyday boxes through to catering packs. Decaf runs across most of the range.

Black and green tea come from the same plant. The difference is oxidation — black tea leaves are left to oxidise fully, which turns them dark and gives the malty flavour; green tea is heated soon after picking to stop it. Black tea carries more caffeine as a result, though still less than coffee.

Earl Grey is black tea scented with bergamot, a citrus fruit. Loose leaf and pyramid bags hold larger leaf than standard bags, which are mostly broken leaf and dust — that's why leaf tea tastes rounder and bags brew faster.