Black Tea FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions – Commercial Black Tea
Q1: What are the main differences between different black teas?

A:
The main differences lie in aroma intensity, body (tea base strength), and application purpose.
Some black teas are light and aromatic, suitable for straight tea, while others have a stronger body, making them more suitable for milk tea or Thai tea.

Q2: Can black tea be used as a base for milk tea or fresh milk tea?

A:
Yes. Most commercial black teas can be used as a base for milk tea or fresh milk tea.
For drinks with higher milk or sugar content, teas with a stronger body or clearer tea character are recommended to maintain flavor balance.

Q3: Which black tea is the most versatile?

A:
Balanced black teas are generally the most versatile.
They can be used for straight tea, milk tea, and flavored drinks, making them ideal as a primary tea base for most beverage shops.

Q4: Is black tea suitable for straight tea (without milk)?

A:
Yes, but teas with clear aroma and smooth mouthfeel are more suitable for straight tea.
Heavier-bodied black teas are typically better suited for milk-based or flavored beverages.

Q5: Does black tea become bitter or astringent?

A:
Under recommended brewing conditions, commercial black teas are generally not bitter or astringent.
Over-brewing or excessive agitation may increase bitterness, which can be adjusted by controlling brewing time.

Q6: Can black tea be kept warm or chilled for long periods?

A:
Yes. Most commercial black teas are designed for extended holding time and can maintain stable flavor when kept warm or chilled.
Actual stability may vary depending on the tea type.

Q7: Does the flavor of black tea change over time?

A:
Some black teas allow flavor adjustment through brewing time and agitation, while others are designed to be stable with minimal flavor change over time.
Selection depends on operational needs.

Q8: Does the origin of black tea affect its flavor?

A:
Yes. Tea origin influences aroma, body, and flavor structure.
Multi-origin blended black teas help achieve balance, consistency, and supply stability for commercial use.

Q9: Can black tea be brewed without a tea brewing machine?

A:
Yes, manual brewing is possible.
However, in commercial operations, manual brewing often results in flavor inconsistency.
Using a commercial tea brewer helps ensure uniform quality.

Q10: Why is a commercial tea brewer recommended?

A:
A commercial tea brewer standardizes brewing time, agitation, and extraction, ensuring consistent flavor across every batch.
This is especially important during peak hours or in chain store operations.

Q11: Can one black tea be used for multiple beverage applications?

A:
Yes. Many commercial black teas can serve multiple applications by adjusting brewing parameters, reducing the need to use different teas for each drink.

Q12: How should new beverage shops choose black tea?

A:
It is recommended to start with balanced and stable black teas with high tolerance for brewing variation, then expand to more specialized teas as the menu develops.

Q13: What if existing black teas do not meet our requirements?

A:
Custom black tea blending services are available to develop exclusive, scalable, and standardized tea profiles based on specific beverage and operational needs.

Q14: What are the packaging options for wholesale black tea?

A:
Standard commercial packaging is 600 g per bag, 30 bags per carton.
Packaging may vary depending on the tea type and customization requirements.

Q15: What types of beverages can black tea be used for?

A:
Black tea is widely used in:

Straight tea

Milk tea and fresh milk tea

Thai tea

Fruit tea and flavored tea drinks

Actual suitability depends on the tea’s flavor structure.