If you are a tea lover, we are sure you spend hours in the tea aisles of the grocery stores. In case you have spent more than five minutes in the tea aisles, you must have seen red tea and black tea labels. To be honest, it can be challenging to differentiate between these two as the majority of people consume black tea. So, let’s check out the red tea vs black tea comparison, so you can select the tea that suits your taste palate!
Red Tea vs Black Tea
Red Tea
Red tea is one of the rarest and least-known categories of tea, which is available in Asian countries and China. There are different varieties of red tea available in the market and Rooibos tea is the most popular variety. Rooibos is usually known as red tea and has a reddish hue that’s imparted when the tea leaves are brewed. This tea grows in the mountainous region around the Atlantic coast and it’s actually the most difficult tea to grow.
Rooibos doesn’t have any caffeine and is known for its sweet and mild flavor (many people compare the taste to black tea). It can be consumed on its own but there are various flavors available. The second form is Chinese black tea (yes, it is known as red tea). The Chinese black tea tends to have a light red hue with bright copper hints and the flavor will be mellower. The Chinese black tea has a high antioxidant level with a moderate caffeine level.
The third variety of red tea is the Hibiscus tea which is known to have a bright red color. This is a herbal tea that’s made from the hibiscus plant’s dried petals. Hibiscus tea has a sweet and slightly tart flavor that leaves the cranberry flavor. When brewed, it achieves a bright magenta color. It can be spiced and sweetened, depending on the cuisine and culture. In addition, this is a caffeine-free tea and can be made into iced tea (don’t worry, it can be served in hot form).
Red tea has a multidimensional flavor and is perceived differently by people. Keep in mind that the red tea’s flavor depends on the quality – the low-quality tea has a musty and grassy flavor while good-quality tea has a floral, woody, caramel, and honey notes. In the majority of cases, the caffeine level is very moderate while some varieties have no caffeine at all.
Black Tea
Black tea is one of the most consumed forms of tea in the western world, given the longer shelf life and bold flavor notes. Black tea has a diverse category, including Earl Grey and English breakfast. India is the biggest black tea producer as they produce 50% of the total while the remaining supply is sufficed by Africa and South Africa. Black tea can be consumed in cold as well as hot forms. The caffeine content ranges from 50mg to 90mg, depending on the cup’s size.
It comes from the camellia Sinensis plant and the leaves are oxidized before they are dried and processed. This processing results in the dark brown appearance of the tea and develops the signature flavor. For the most part, it has a brisk and bold flavor. Black tea consumption is pretty limited on the Eastern side of the world. When it comes down to the usage, it can be made in a hot cup of tea or iced tea. In most cases, it is mixed with sugar and/or milk.
Regular tea drinkers consume black tea as afternoon tea or breakfast tea. Since the tea has a bold flavor, it can be paired pretty well with the western cuisine but you can also enjoy them with African, Thai, and Indian foods. The best thing about black tea is that it’s easier to make because you need to add some black tea leaves to water, add milk and sugar, and let this mixture boil. The black tea tends to taste better if you opt for a short steep.
Black tea is pretty easy to find in the grocery stores and there are some flavored varieties as well. On top of everything, it is available in the form of loose leaves and tea bags – you can purchase it in boxed form or whole form.