China black tea is the completely oxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Known as "red tea" in China, for the color of its infused cup, black tea is hearty and full-flavored, with an inherent sweetness and underlying malty note. This tea is Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP), which designates whole tender leaves rolled with substantial leaf tips.
Use 1 heaping TSP (3 g) of tea leaves per 6 oz of water. Bring water just to rolling boil (200-212 degrees F). Steep for 3-5 minutes. For a stronger brew, use more tea rather than more time, as steeping too long can result in a bitter tea.
