Best black tea UK

Which is the best black tea 2023?

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The 10 best black teas to buy in the UK

The top 10 list of the best black teas lists various brands and prices

Review10Best compares the best black teas in the UK and selects the one by Twinings as the best tea. In a black tea buying guide, you can read more about the features of the different teas and see a recommendation on which black tea to buy in the UK in 2023. By considering the top list of teas, you can find the best black teas and save time shopping online.


Table of contents
  1. Read the ultimate black tea buying guide
  2. View the black tea picks and see how they rank in the top list
  3. See other reviews related to teas

VIEW THE TOP 10 LIST →


Best black teas: A complete buying guide

All you need to know before buying a great black tea

Picture of a black tea

Black tea is the most popular type of tea sold around the world. Many black tea blends are drunk throughout the world, from Earl Grey to Assam. However, choosing the best black tea is down to personal taste, but with so many choices out there it can be difficult to find that perfect tasting black tea.

Looking to buy the best black tea product you can find? Then check out the guide below for everything you need to know:

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What are black teas?

Black tea is one of the main types of tea along with green, oolong, and white tea. The main difference between each of these is the oxidization of the tea leaves, with black tea being the most oxidized of each. As a result, the tea leaves take on a black color (hence the name), while offering a much stronger flavor than other types of tea.

There are many types of black tea sold, with factors such as the type tea leaves, country of growth, and the blending of other ingredients to produce teas with distinct flavors and aromas.

Why should you buy a good black tea?

The best black teas can provide a range of benefits when consumed, but they also result in a very refreshing beverage. Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world after water, and the reason for this is rather simple - it tastes very nice! With black tea being the most popular type of tea, it’s safe to say there are many great tasting black teas out there. Black tea tastes rather strong and combines well with other additives such as milk, sugar and lemon.

With so many varieties of tea available, you can easily find something that tastes very pleasant.

How to choose the right black tea?

Another picture of a black tea

Looking to choose the best black tea for your taste buds? It can be quite difficult to find a great black tea without tasting it first, but here are some things that should make it easier to choose one:

  • Origin: Black tea is produced in a few countries, but India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Africa remain the largest manufacturers. Each one produces their own distinct black teas, so a good way to find a suitable tea is to try them based on their country of origin. India is the largest producer of tea so it’s great country of origin to start, with popular choices such as Assam and Darjeeling.
  • Flavor: While all good black tea comes with a bold flavor, there are subtle differences in the how each one tastes. For instance, the flavor of Assam tea is very malty and pairs well with milk, while Ceylon has spicy undertones that you may find appealing. Be sure to check the flavor notes by reading the packaging, or if possible have a taste of the tea before buying.
  • Blends: Black tea comes in many blends, where additional ingredients are combined to produce wonderful tasting beverages. Perhaps the most famous example of this is Earl Grey, which is a black tea blended with the rind of a citrus fruit. English and Irish Breakfast Teas are another example of popular black tea blends, with the full-bodied tea being served with milk and sugar. Blended teas may be a better choice for people that are new to black tea, as their tastes aren’t too overwhelming, and they mix well with other ingredients like honey, lemon, milk, and sugar.

What is the best kind of black tea in the UK?

There are countless types of black teas, as factors such as climate, geography, and the type of tea leaf all result in different teas. Many blends of black tea also exist, all of which use different types of black tea to produce. However, the most popular and widely used black tea are as follows:

  • Assam Black Tea: Grown in India, Assam tea comes with a bold, malty taste that combines well with milk and sugar. Used in many popular black tea blends too, it’s a great choice for those that like a strong taste to their tea.
  • Darjeeling Black Tea: Native to a small mountainous region in India, Darjeeling tea is a much softer type of black tea that can change in flavor depending on the season it was grown. It is used to produce very popular Chai Teas, which feature exotic spices that produce a distinct flavor.
  • Ceylon Black Tea: Sri Lanka produces a variety of black tea, which tastes quite different depending on the region of the country. A strong black tea, they often have a subtle spice flavor to them, namely due to Sri Lanka’s large cinnamon production.
…are you ready for the best picks of 2023?

Top 10 list of black teas in the UK (June 2023)

The bestseller list compares brands and their black teas. Which tea is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of Twinings F14658 black tea
Twinings Green Tea and Black Tea Blend, 80 Tea bags
  • At Twinings, we recognise our responsibility to source ethically and our ability…
  • Blended with full-flavoured black tea so you can get the best of both worlds; it's…
  • Springtime signals the first flush of our pure green tea; as Dawn breaks and the…
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TOP 2
Image of Yorkshire Tea 5006 black tea
Yorkshire Tea Bags 1.875 Kg (600 tea bags)
  • We are a member of Ethical Tea Partnership - Rainforest Alliance & Kosher Ce…
  • We've built relationships with some of the top tea estates in Africa and India…
  • Seriously refreshing & kind to the people who grow it-we go to great lengths…
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TOP 3
Image of Ahmad Tea 6664179318990 black tea
Ahmad Tea Vanilla Tranquility Black Tea - 20 Teabags
  • HAND PLUCKED - working with specially selected tea gardens, all our teas are lovingly…
  • GARDEN FRESH - each harvest of our Vanilla Tranquility black tea is garden fresh…
  • TEA ORIGIN - our Vanilla Tranquility black tea is expertly blended with high altitude…
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Offer TOP 4
Image of English Tea Shop 11 black tea
English Tea Shop Organic Chai Black Tea - 20 Tea Bag Sachets
  • Organic
  • Spicy, warming and exotic, our black tea chai is sure to enrapture your taste bu…
  • Our black tea chai packs a flavour punch with over 10 asian herbs and spices!
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TOP 5
Image of SRILUXE  black tea
SRILUXE - Premium Quality Organic Ceylon Loose Leaf Black Tea Exquisite…
  • LION LOGO. The Logo is owned by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and globally trademarked.…
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEED - we are confident in our brand that all our customers will…
  • DIRECT FROM SOURCE & GARDEN FRESH - All SRILUXE Teas are sourced DIRECT from…
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TOP 6
Image of Clipper 111855538 black tea
Clipper Organic Everyday Fairtrade Teabags | Black Tea Bags | Natural,…
  • Enjoy a Clipper cuppa: Luxury tea bags, tea gift sets, loose leaf teas, tea bags…
  • Natural, organic tea, just the way it should be: We fill our plastic-free tea bags…
  • The perfect every day teabags: Delicious breakfast tea bags, afternoon tea or for…
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TOP 7
Image of Caykur  black tea
Caykur Rize Turkish Black Tea from Turkey (500g)
  • Loose Black Tea
  • Best Selling High Quality Black Tea from Turkey
  • Caykur Rize Turkish Black Tea
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TOP 8
Image of Tea Pigs 1201 black tea
Teapigs Everyday Brew Black Loose Tea Made With Whole Leaves (1 Pack…
  • Our packaging is certified plastic-free by A Plastic Planet.
  • We donate to our ethical scheme the Point Foundation, which provides educational…
  • Teapigs loose English breakfast tea is malty from the Assam leaves, punchy from the…
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TOP 9
Image of Chiswick Tea Co 1416 black tea
Organic Assam (Chardwar Estate) Premium Loose Leaf Black Tea - Chiswick…
  • Certified Organic by the Soil Association
  • Can be served with or without milk. Comes in a foil lined re-sealable pouch.
  • Grown in the fertile soils of the Chardwar tea estate, located on the banks of the…
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TOP 10
Image of Pukka Herbs 05060229011596 black tea
Pukka Herbs | Elegant English Breakfast Organic Tea | Black Tea |…
  • Vegetarian, kosher and non-GM
  • We are proud to be 1% for the planet. This product is certified Fair for Life
  • Bring these incredible herbs alive by infusing in freshly boiled water for 3-5 m…
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Affiliate Disclosure

We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For the list of the best teas, we consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. It is not a black tea test. Last Update: 2023/06/08.