Potent in flavor and color, black tea is fully fermented, allowing natural enzymes to darken the leaves and impart a rich aroma. There are hundreds of varieties, and all of them should taste brisk and full-bodied, with a noticeable but not overpowering astringency (dry mouthfeel). While black tea contains only half as much caffeine as coffee, it has a stronger kick than the other teas.

Winner: T42 English Breakfast Tea,
$1.50 for 16 ounces
This tea scored the highest of all those tested. Tasters agreed that it wasn’t too sweet, calling it “simple and refreshing.” One pronounced it “absolutely lovely—it’s not artificial tasting.” Another, who grew up in a household where tea was the primary beverage, saw this as a “western tea that pleases the modern Asian palate.”