21 Best Black Teas in 2025
If your daily caffeine ritual is starting to feel a touch pedestrian for your palate, then let us introduce you to the flavorful world of the best black teas. With myriad flavors to pair with every meal and unique blends designed to help you through the day, whether it’s to sharpen your focus, boost your immune system or simply wet your whistle, the best black teas offer far more in the way of choice than just English breakfast.
What’s more, according to Healthy SD, drinking tea can be reliably correlated to improved heart health, making an exploration of the best black teas as important to your well-being as it is to your pursuit of great food and drink.
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What Is Black Tea?
The best black tea, or any black tea for that matter, is made from the dried and processed leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant. It differs from green tea in that it undergoes a much more comprehensive oxidation process, which is what produces its darker profile, however, this was a discovery that Chinese tea makers stumbled upon purely by accident.
The story goes that, in the 17th century, an army from Jiangxi entered the Fujian province, setting up camp at a tea factory there and putting a halt on operations. In a bid to save the recently harvested tea and speed up the drying process, a farmer placed the leaves over a fire. The result was a tea that was dark and smoky in flavor — the original black tea that’s still enjoyed to this day, known as Lapsang Souchong.
However true this story is, it’s fair to say that the popularity of black tea quickly spread. It was the first tea to be introduced to Europe and the Middle East, and it soon found a foothold in other countries like India, Sri Lanka and Kenya. Today, it’s perhaps the most widely-consumed drink on the planet, with different cultures having their own takes on how and when to enjoy it. In England, for example, there are deep-rooted culinary traditions that see tea enjoyed with sandwiches and cake during the afternoon.
Often bold and brisk in flavor, modern infusions play with the base tea in order to provide discerning palates with different and often delicate notes, drawing on other natural flavors like those of berries, fruits and even chiles. And, because the best black teas are so versatile, there is a tea for every occasion and every type of meal.
21 Best Black Teas
1. Lapsang Souchong Black Tea
Since it is widely considered to be the “original”, it makes sense to include lapsang souchong at the very top of this list of the world’s best black tea. Like a campfire in a cup, it’s smoky and aromatic with just a hint of natural sweetness. It’s perfect for everyday consumption, although it’s especially enjoyable over a book when the temperatures start to drop.
2. Irish Breakfast Black Tea
Next on this list of the best black teas is actually a blend of other tea types — typically Assam, Ceylon and Tanzanian tea. The result is a full-bodied, malty brew that pairs perfectly with sugar and milk. As the name suggests, this is one of the best black teas to enjoy over breakfast. You can buy it as loose leaves or in convenient bags, with British tea producer, Twinings, producing some of the best you’re likely to find in your local store.
3. English Breakfast Tea
Perhaps the most famous among all the best black teas, English breakfast tea is a morning staple known and loved around the world — not just in England! It typically features a blend of black teas from different regions, including Assam, Ceylon and Kenya to produce a flavor profile that’s malty, rich and robust. It’s also slightly bitter, with many drinkers favoring a dash of milk and a spoonful of sugar.
As the name suggests, this is one of the best black teas to be served with breakfast. It’s especially good alongside a hearty “full English” with sausages, bacon, beans, eggs and some butter-slathered slices of toast.
4. China Keemun Black Tea
Named after the well-respected Chinese tea-producing town of Keemum. Smoky, malty and with a hint of nuttiness, this is one of the best black teas since it can be steeped for longer than most other varieties without becoming bitter. With that in mind, purists can also enjoy a cup without the need for milk and sugar. Of course, you can add these if you please, or you could even use a slice of lemon to really bring out the refreshing notes of the tea.
5. Golden Yunnan Black Tea
The next in this guide to the best black teas is made from some of the highest-grade tea leaves in China. Named for the province it hails, Yunnan, its flavor is robust and malty, with soft and even sweet notes.
The steeped leaves produce a golden, almost copper-colored tea. While it’s traditionally enjoyed without them, a small dash of milk and sugar can really help to bring out the flavors of the tea. If you’re pairing it with sweet treats like biscuits, pastry or fruits, we recommend drinking it as it comes.
6. Vietnamese Golden Tips Black Tea
This particular type of tea is named for the light-brown, golden-tipped leaves from which it is made. Steep them in a clear glass mug and you’ll see the water transform into the most glorious copper color. As for flavor, you can expect a full-bodied, yet smooth and aromatic profile.
It’s one of the best black tea options for those who prefer a bold flavor without the need for milk or sugar. And if you’re wondering what to pair it with, try a cup alongside your favorite take on eggs or quiche.
7. Nepalese Gold Black Tea
Considered something of a wonder drink, it’s no surprise that Nepalese gold black makes it to our list of the best black teas. It’s made from tea leaves grown in the Himalayan mountains, which produce a coppery-yellow brew with a smoky-sweet flavor profile.
It’s also believed to offer many health benefits, containing many beneficial chemical compounds like Vitamins B-2, B-5, B-9 and Vitamin D. Some even say it could help to promote healthy skin.
8. Japanese Wakoucha Black Tea
The term “koucha” can be translated into Japanese as “a tea of crimson color”. This was due to the soft Japanese water with which it was traditionally made, which would turn red upon contact with the black tea leaves. This is also responsible for the tea’s other well-known name, “red tea”.
Less bitter than some other contenders for the title of best black tea, it has a floral, honey-like aroma. On the palate, it tends to be light, smooth and sweet with just a hint of sourness. It pairs beautifully with sweets and light snacks. It’s also higher in tannins, especially compared to green teas, which can have anti-inflammatory benefits.
9. Nilgiri Black Tea
Also known as “Blue Mountain Tea”, Nilgiri is favored among those with a palate for the best black teas for its fragrant, full-bodied properties. Bold, fruity and floral, more discerning drinkers will note hints of plums and even dust orchids.
The symphony of flavors lingers on long after you’ve finished, with a wonderful spicy, slightly nutty aftertaste. This is one of the best black tea options to be enjoyed alone, although some people enjoy a touch of milk and sugar. Either way, pair it with sandwiches and vanilla-flavored desserts and thank us later!
This tea is popular among those seeking something to calm their mind since it contains the amino acid L-theanine. It’s also rich in antioxidants and contains flavonoids, which can help to improve circulation. Add to this anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s no wonder it makes our list of the best black teas!
10. Masala Chai Black Tea
Perhaps best described as a mixed-spice tea, masala chai is a traditional blend that typically incorporates cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. Combined with premium Ceylon tea and then mixed with milk and honey, one cup of this and you’ll soon agree that it’s well deserving of a spot on the list of the best black teas.
Sweet treats like biscuits, cake and pastries complement the spiciness of the tea, so pair it with those. Known for its bold, warming spices, this pick easily earns its place among the best black tea varieties to enjoy in the morning. For the same reason, many people choose to enjoy it as an afternoon pick-me-up. Some even find the boost mellow enough to savor a cup in the evening.
11. Assam Black Tea
Grown in the Assam region of India (hence the name), Assam is one of the best black teas to enjoy with breakfast, known for its rich, malty flavor. Bright and strong in color and with a high caffeine content, it’s the perfect replacement for your favorite coffee. Did you know that Assam tea is often used as part of the blend that forms both English and Irish breakfast teas?
This tea is also considered one of the best black teas for the health benefits it’s thought to offer. For example, it has the potential to promote brain health and support immune function. Wondering how to enjoy it? The key is to ensure you don’t oversteep it, since it can become bitter if left to stew for too long. Milk and sugar are optional.
12. Solstice Spice Black Tea
Solstice Spice is one of the best black teas from one of the best black tea brands! The blend from Artful Tea comprises black tea mixed with apple, cardamom, cinnamon, orange slices, cloves and pink pepper. As the Artful Tea website says, it tastes just like the holidays — naturally sweet, comforting and delicious served hot or cold. You never know, it may just replace your mom’s famous iced tea recipe!
13. Darjeeling Black Tea
Named after the Darjeeling region of Bengal in India, the region in which the leaves are grown, Darjeeling is considered one of the very best black teas. It’s often referred to as the “Champagne of tea”, and can be broken down into two types: first flush and second flush.
These terms refer to the time of year at which the leaves are harvested. First flush leaves are picked during the spring, producing a lighter, more delicate tea. The second flush is harvested later, resulting in a robust, much fuller-bodied drink.
Whichever you have in your pot, once steeped, you can expect your water to take on a lovely bronze or golden color and emit a delicate, floral aroma that promises refreshment. With its refined character and nuanced flavor, this selection is often considered one of the best black tea options for those who enjoy a touch of astringency balanced by fruity sweetness.
14. Keemun Black Tea
Our next entry to this guide to the best black tea heralds from China. Sweet, smoky and fruity notes can be expected, as can a gentle, non-astringent taste that’s not dissimilar to unsweetened cocoa.
While it can be enjoyed on its own (and at any time of day), this tea is often used as a base for English breakfast tea. With its layered complexity and smooth finish, it’s also regarded as one of the best black tea choices for those seeking both flavor and wellness benefits.
It has potential health perks, including the promotion of heart health, aiding digestion, boosting energy and tackling inflammation. In terms of how to enjoy it, milk is optional. What’s really interesting is that it can be brewed more than once, with each steep unlocking a different set of flavors.
15. Ceylon Black Tea
No list of the best black teas would be complete without at least a mention of Ceylon. The name of both the brand that makes it and a historic term used to describe tea from Sri Lanka in general, Ceylon tea is widely considered part of the fabric of Sri Lankan culture. It’s enjoyed both hot and cold and, thanks to its caffeine content, makes a great pairing for your breakfast.
Full-bodied on the palate with notes of citrus, the flavor of Ceylon tea can vary depending on its precise growing location. Leaves grown at lower elevations, for example, tend to produce a darker color when brewed, while those grown higher in the mountains tend to result in a much lighter steep.
16. Bombay Chai
This unique tea from the blenders at Tea Forté is formed with a base of Nilgiri tea. Added to this is a blend of aromatic spices reminiscent of your favorite masala chai, resulting in a delicate composition of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, star anise and black pepper. It tastes wonderful, but the best part is that it’s almost impossible to over-steep — perfect if you’ve yet to master the art of brewing the best black teas.
17. Earl Grey Black Tea
A blend of teas containing bergamot oil which gives it the distinct citrusy flavor that tea drinkers either love or hate, you probably already know that this is one of the world’s best black teas. But did you also know that it was originally invented to be served without milk, or that the addition of bergamot was originally designed to mask the taste of low-quality tea?
Nowadays, many of the best black tea brands make exceptional Earl Grey blends with only the finest tea leaves. Twinings is one, and you can safely bet that most households in the UK have a box of this hidden somewhere in the back of their tea cupboards. Enjoy Earl Grey with cakes and biscuits — the addition of milk and sugar is down to you.
18. Chimayo Chai Black Tea
If you like your drink with a bit of a kick, then this signature blend from Artful Tea is sure to tick that box. It combines a classic chai blend with enough red chile flakes to bring just the right amount of spice to your daily brew. It’s recommended to enjoy it sweet and milky, however, if you’re sick, it's sure to help clear your airways if you decide to drink it “straight”.
19. Lemon and Ginger Black Tea
We’ll start by saying that when you drink a cup of lemon and ginger tea, your palate is sure to get exactly what it bargained for. Typically made with a base of Ceylon, Chinese or Indian tea, it usually includes lemon pieces or juice, ginger, plus lemongrass and even pineapple.
As one of the world’s best black teas, it’s wonderfully warming on cool days and provides a tonic to sore throats that even the strongest pharmaceuticals would struggle to compete with. And, since it’s made with lemon and ginger, it also ranks among the best ginger teas for aiding digestion, relieving indigestion and even helping reduce nausea.
20. Apricot Brandy Black Tea
Another signature blend from the masters at Artful Teas, this one combines black tea with, you guessed, apricots and brandy. The result is a tea that’s both warming in the winter and wonderfully refreshing in the summer when iced. Fruity, juicy and bright to taste, it stands out as one of the best black tea blends for those who enjoy a unique twist. It also makes a great base for a latte, pairing exceptionally well with milk and sugar.
21. Black Currant Black Tea
The blenders over at Tea Forté have really outdone themselves with this final entry to the list of the best black teas. This time blending black Yunnan tea leaves with delicate blackberry leaves, they have produced one of the finest examples of what is, after Earl Grey, the most popular flavored tea in North America.
A cup of this black tea is sure to help soothe a sore throat, so if you’re sick and could do with a lift, this is the one for you. There are plenty of other potential health benefits, too, since blackcurrants are packed with an array of goodies like antioxidants, vitamin C, blood-building iron and even vitamin A.
How to Prepare Black Tea
The method to make the best black tea will vary slightly depending on the specific blend you’re hoping to drink. However, whether you’re hoping to impress your British friends or simply want to add another string to your culinary bow, there are a few tips that are sure to help you get it right.
- Use spring or freshly drawn filtered water and bring it to a rolling boil — loose-leaf black tea likes it hot!
- Aim for a ratio of approximately two-to-three grams of tea for every 10 ounces of water. It’s best to measure by weight since tea leaf size can affect the volume.
- Steep for between three and seven minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.
- If you’re using an infuser, remove it once it reaches your desired strength. Alternatively, pour the tea through a strainer.
If you take anything away from this guide it’s that, if you’re interested in sampling some of the world's best black teas, there are plenty of options to tempt your tastebuds. From delicate floral teas that are sure to calm your mind to more robust blends designed to perk you up in the morning, there’s so much more to tea than just “green” and “breakfast”. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and try some of the best black teas for yourself, because you never know, you may just find a new favorite.
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