❓ What exactly is black tea and how is it made?

Black tea is a type of tea that undergoes complete oxidation during processing. It's made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant through a specific process:

• Fresh leaves are withered to reduce moisture
• Leaves are rolled to break down cell walls
• The leaves oxidize fully, turning dark brown or black
• Finally, the leaves are dried and sorted

This full oxidation process creates black tea's characteristic deep color and robust flavor profile, with notes ranging from malty to fruity. The result is a beverage that typically contains more caffeine than other tea varieties, usually about 40-70mg per cup.