Information on black tea will tell you that the leaves used are more heavily oxidized than the white, green, and oolong varieties. For this reason, black tea is generally stronger in flavor and emits a more distinctive aroma. In addition, black tea also contains more caffeine than any of its lightly oxidized cousins.

There are several varieties of black tea. Information on black tea will tell you that these varieties are named after the region where they were produced. Like wine, black teas produced in one region have a characteristically different flavor compared to black teas grown in other regions.

The varieties of unblended black tea include:

Lapsang Souchong

Lapsang Souchong was grown originally in Mount Wuyi, Fujian Province in China. Though the tea plant is a warm-weather perennial, growers of Lapsang Souchong believe that the humidity of the mountaintops and the low clouds soothe the tea leaves, producing the best quality black tea.

Information on black tea will tell you that Lapsang Souchong acquires its unique smoky taste, not from the fact that they are grown in a mountain area, but from the drying method used - burning over pine.

Keemun

Produced in Qimen, precinct of Anhui province in central China, Keemun black tea is known for its winey and fruity taste with depth and complexity. Like Lapsang Souchong, this black tea type also has a hint of pine in its flavor and floweriness, but not at all as florid as Darjeeling tea. This information on black tea will tell you that Keemun black tea's taste is very distinctive and well balanced.

Dian Hong

Used mostly in blends, Dian Hong is gourmet black tea made from the golden tips (or buds) of a young tea plant. Finer teas of this variety have a sweeter taste but gentler aroma. The color is somewhat different from other black teas in that Dian Hong is brassy gold but without any astringency. Information on black tea will tell you that Dian Hong is grown in Yunnan Province in China and is one of the oldest tea types in the world (nearly 1,500 years old).

Ying De Hong

From Guangdong province in China, Ying De Hong was first produced mechanically in 1959. Many people consider it poorer quality compared to other Chinese black tea types, however, if processed correctly, the Ying De Hong could actually yield a cocoa-like aroma that can be very appetizing. Like all black teas, Ying De Hong teas also has a sweet aftertaste.

Assam

From Assam, India, Assam black tea is black tea with a truly "black tea taste" - that is, it is full bodied and strong. Information on black tea will tell you that Assam teas are actually grown at sea level, which might account for its briskness and malty flavor. If you think the astringency is too strong for you, add milk to remove its bite.