Black tea is particularly popular and is often drunk as a coffee substitute. Black tea is produced by carefully fermenting the tea leaves after harvesting. Oxidation causes the tea leaves to wilt and turn dark. The fermentation process is further enhanced by rolling the tea leaves. This breaks down the cell walls of the tea leaves, allowing oxygen to react more effectively with the enzymes in the tea leaves. Once the natural ripening process is complete, the tea leaves are dried at 80-90 degrees Celsius. The result is a strong, tart, malty tea. We have added two excellent black teas to our range.
Firstly, from the Satemwa Tea Estate, the oldest in Malawi. The tea plants grow here in an idyllic landscape on Thyolo Mountain in the south of the country. The tea leaves are harvested at the optimal time and then blended according to variety. This ensures consistent tea quality and increases complexity.
We also present a rare black tea from the Temi Tea Garden in Sikkim, a neighboring region of Darjeeling. This region in northeastern India has converted all its agricultural land to organic farming over the years. This results in a particularly high level of biodiversity and species diversity in Sikkim. Here, in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas, there are particularly good growing conditions for exceptional teas. The 2nd Flush Muscatel is a result of this and is characterized by its aroma of muscat grapes.