The 9 Best Black Tea Brands To Try in 2025

The best black teas are known for their bold flavors, rich aromas and energizing properties. Whether enjoyed plain or with milk, black tea offers characteristic dark colors and a robust flavor profile.

This type of tea is versatile, sometimes refreshing and satisfying. Beyond its flavor, black tea is also packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits, making it a favorite drink for many and a popular option for those who prefer to forgo their morning coffee. 

What is the best type of black tea? What are some of the health benefits that black tea can provide me with? This article will uncover the answers to these questions and introduce you to the delightful flavor and options that black tea provides.

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• Best Black Tea Brands
• Best Black Tea for Health
• Best Black Tea at the Grocery Store
• Best Loose-Leaf Black Tea
• Best Black Tea FAQs

Best Black Tea Brands

1. Lipton

Consistent, affordable and easy to find, Lipton is proclaimed by many to be the best black tea for many occasions. The brand’s signature flavor manages to strike that ideal balance between smoothness and richness, so it’s a great choice for a variety of tea drinkers and a beverage that pairs well with many tea party foods. 

The bags are easy to use for a single serving or a jar of tea, making it a favorite in both hot and iced tea preparations. Lipton is also well-known for its quality control and wide availability, ensuring that you can enjoy a reliable cup of tea no matter where you are. 

With a range of offerings, including classic black tea bags and special blends like their sweet and fruity peach mango variety and decaf tea (one of the best teas for sleep), Lipton is a versatile option that can be enjoyed by beginners and seasoned tea enthusiasts alike.

2. PG Tips

Known for its distinctive, brisk taste, PG Tips is a favorite authentic British tea among those who enjoy a robust cup of their favorite beverage. The brand’s tea bags are high-quality and designed to allow space for the tea leaves to expand. 

The result is a more flavorful and aromatic brew and one of the best black tea options for when you’re in the mood for a steaming hot cup with a bit of lemon and a little sugar. With a long-standing reputation in the UK and worldwide, PG Tips has become a household name and is beloved for its consistency.

The tea also works wonderfully slow-brewed in the sun and poured over ice as a refreshing iced tea. With its wide availability and affordable price point, PG Tips remains a popular and reliable choice for black tea drinkers everywhere.

3. Yorkshire Tea

With a rich, full-bodied blend and a commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable farming practices, Taylor’s of Harrogate Yorkshire is one of the best black tea brands if you enjoy smoothness and depth. The brand’s distinctive blend includes Assam and African teas that deliver high quality and offer a satisfying flavor. 

Mixed with honey, it’s one of the best teas for sore throats, or served with milk and sugar, it’s a tasty afternoon treat. The company is also noted for its commitment to visiting the farms and ensuring their customers receive high-quality leaves and their farmers practice sustainable farming practices to help preserve the environment. 

Best Black Tea for Health

4. Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice

Enjoy the health benefits of cinnamon, which include anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to help regulate blood sugar, in a warm cup of Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea. This is the best black tea to drink if you’re fighting off a cold or feeling a bit drained because it contains a natural blend of cloves and orange peel, which some believe helps to boost immunity.
The blend also provides polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals and support overall health. Each cup is warm and comforting, making this the best black tea to sip while you’re curled up on the couch under a blanket and working hard to keep the chill away. 

5. Numi Organic Aged Earl Grey

Containing high-quality, organic ingredients and sourced from sustainable farmers, Numi Organic Aged Earl Grey is considered the best black tea for health benefits. The natural benefits of its key components contribute to the tea’s popularity. 

The blend features organic black tea leaves that are rich in antioxidants, helping to combat free radicals and decrease inflammation inside of the body. This blend is infused with bergamot, reported by some to support heart health, promote healthy cholesterol levels and aid gut health and digestion. 

The natural oils in bergamot also give the tea a distinct aroma, which contributes to alleviating stress and anxiety. There’s a calming effect that comes with enjoying the tea’s warmth and scent. The smooth, aromatic and slightly floral notes make it an enjoyable choice, while the health benefits make it a perfect addition to your morning routine. 

Best Black Tea at the Grocery Store

6. Twinings of London Blackcurrant Breeze

When your body needs a boost of Vitamin C, blackcurrant is a tasty way to provide it. That’s part of what makes Twinings of London Blackcurrant Breeze the best black tea for wellness and health. 

This unique blend combines the bold, full-bodied flavor of black tea with the natural goodness of blackcurrant, a fruit known for its high antioxidant content. The antioxidants in both black tea and blackcurrant work with each other to fight free radicals, reduce inflammation and protect cells from environmental damage and free radicals. 

Additionally, the natural fruit flavors offer a refreshing, mildly sweet flavor and aroma. The tea’s natural flavor profile is inviting, so you can skip the extra calories that sugar or honey brings to your beverage.  

7. Tazo Tea

Tazo tea is considered one of the best black tea choices for health benefits due to its unique blends of high-quality black tea leaves combined with flavorful, health-boosting ingredients. 

The line is rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress, environmental factors and inflammation. Some delicious options to try include Tazo Awake English Breakfast. Ideal for enjoying in the early morning, it provides a bold, invigorating cup of tea along with some pep-you-up, energy-boosting properties. 

Another great option is Tazo Organic Earl Grey, which pairs the robust traditional flavor of black tea with the calming effects of bergamot, known for its ability to aid digestion and relax the body. Tazo also offers blends like Tazo Organic Chai, which incorporates popular Indian spices such as cinnamon and ginger, known for their gut-protecting and digestion-promoting benefits. 

Best Loose-Leaf Black Tea

8. Rishi Masala Chai

Created using only premium ingredients and offering a rich, aromatic flavor, Rishi Masala Chai is considered one of the best black tea loose-leaf options for new and more experienced tea drinkers across the globe. 

This organic blend combines high-quality black tea leaves with a fragrant mix of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. These spices not only enhance the flavor but also provide various health benefits, such as improved digestion, anti-inflammatory properties and a boosted immune system. 

The loose-leaf format gives you more control over the flavor of the brew as compared to bagged teas. The tea-drinking experience is also more authentic when you choose loose-leaf teas and a steeper.

9. Teavana Earl Grey Crème with Lavendar and Vanilla Notes

Smooth and inviting, Teavana Earl Grey Crème with Lavender and Vanilla Notes is considered one of the best black tea blends. The blend features high-quality black tea leaves paired with the distinctive bergamot flavor that defines Earl Grey teas, while lavender adds a calming element and makes it a lovely evening tea. 

The addition of vanilla enhances the tea's richness, creating a velvety, balanced cup. Holding it in your hands and breathing in the aroma is comforting. This high-quality blend not only provides the traditional health and antioxidant benefits of black tea, such as protecting heart and brain health but the combination of lavender and vanilla also promotes stress relief and encourages the body to relax. 

Best Black Tea FAQs

What Is the Best Grade of Black Tea?

The best black tea grade is typically reported as Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (FTGFOP). You will frequently hear this when referring to high-quality, loose-leaf teas. It consists of young buds that are very fine and deliver a smooth flavor profile that is easy to drink and highly aromatic.

Which Is Better, Tetley or Lipton Black Tea?

Determining whether the best black tea is Tetley or Lipton depends a lot on your flavor preferences and the particular use of the tea. Tetley is a bold-flavored tea with malty aromas. It’s considered by many to be the best black tea brand for milk tea because of its strength. 

Lipton, on the other hand, is lighter and smoother. If you enjoy your tea plain or over ice, this option might be the better choice. The less complex flavor also makes it a good option if you’re searching for tea party ideas for younger children. 

Is Black Tea the Healthiest?

The best black tea is a healthy choice. It’s high in antioxidants that support heart health, it supports brain functioning due to its caffeine and L-theanine content, which improves focus and aids digestion, as it contains tannins that reduce bloat. 

However, the best green tea has more EGCG antioxidants, which an article on Very Well Health states may protect against cell damage and stress and potentially benefit cognitive and heart health.

Is Assam Black Tea the Same as Black Tea?

Assam black tea is a type of black tea, but not all black teas are assam black teas. This is the best black tea to drink if you prefer a stronger beverage with a malty flavor. Assam black tea hails from India and is a common breakfast tea. It pairs well with milk and sugar. 

Enjoying the best black tea means enjoying a rich, flavorful experience, whether you choose traditional hot brews or light iced teas. Packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits, it remains one of the most popular and versatile teas worldwide. 

Whether you prefer a strong, malty Assam, a light and aromatic store-bought tea or any loose-leaf black tea, there are options for everyone. As you explore the world of the best black tea, take time to savor each cup and embrace the bold or delicate aroma—close your eyes and simply take in the moment of relaxation. Cheers to your next cup!

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