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

Black tea is a type of tea that undergoes full oxidation during processing. It's made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant through these key steps:

• Withering: Fresh leaves are dried to reduce moisture
• Rolling: Leaves are rolled to break cell walls and release enzymes
• Oxidation: Leaves are exposed to air, turning them dark brown
• Firing: Heat is applied to stop oxidation and dry the leaves

This process creates black tea's characteristic deep color and robust flavor. The result is a beverage that typically contains more caffeine than other tea varieties, with rich malty, fruity, or smoky notes depending on the specific variety and growing conditions.