Honey Black Tea is produced in Taiwan, with main production areas including New Taipei City, Hualien, Nantou, and Chiayi. It is a fully fermented black tea. Its distinct characteristic comes from being bitten by insects, giving the brewed tea a sweet taste with notes of ripe honey. Harvested between July and September, it is a rising tea variety in Taiwan in recent years.
Honey Black Tea: Black Tea That Needs Insect Bites
Similar to Oriental Beauty tea, Honey Black Tea requires nibbling by the little green leafhopper to release its unique honey aroma. The difference between the two is that Oriental Beauty is a semi-fermented tea with an oxidation level of about 70%, whereas Honey Black Tea is fully fermented. Oriental Beauty is harvested in May and June, while Honey Black Tea is harvested between July and September. Honey Black Tea is characterized by its ripe honey notes, bug-bitten origin, and a sweet, mellow taste.
How to Brew Honey Black Tea
It can be brewed hot or cold. For hot brewing, use water between 90 to 95 degrees. Spring water or mineral water is preferred, but tap water works if those aren’t available. Any teaware is fine; steep for 2 minutes before drinking, then add 40 seconds to each subsequent steep. It can be steeped about 5 times.
Cold brewing is a popular way to enjoy Honey Black Tea in recent years, making it ideal for office workers or people on the go. All you need is an easy-to-carry water bottle or jar. Since cold brewing takes longer, you only need a small amount of tea leaves. For example, using a 750ml PET bottle, just 6 to 7 leaves are enough. Put the tea in the bottle and refrigerate it overnight to take with you to work the next day—it is especially refreshing for the summer.