Top Black Tea Brands You Need to Sip!

Black tea, renowned for its bold flavors and invigorating qualities, is a beloved beverage for many. With so many brands available, tea enthusiasts often seek guidance on which ones stand out for their quality, taste, and sustainability practices. This article aims to guide you through some of the best brands that have consistently delivered exceptional black tea experiences. To learn more about these brands and discover what sets them apart, read on below.

Illustration of black tea

Best brands of black tea in 2025

Twinings

Twinings is a renowned brand that has overtaken PG Tips as the UK's best-selling black tea brand, boasting a significant market share and a robust global presence in over 100 countries. In the UK, Twinings achieved a 9.4% growth rate, outperforming the overall market and increasing its market share to 21% over the past five years. The brand's success is credited to its innovative approach, including the introduction of Superblends and Cold In'fuse teas, which boosted sales by $13 million. Despite the decline in black tea consumption, Twinings has maintained its position by catering to evolving consumer preferences with premium and specialty teas. In 2018, Twinings had 3.8 million users in the UK, while Yorkshire Tea had 5.8 million users. For more information, visit their official website.

Harney & Sons

Harney & Sons is renowned as one of the best producers of black tea, sourcing and blending the finest teas from around the world since its founding in 1983 by John Harney. The company has expanded its offerings from the original six teas to over 300 varieties, ensuring high-quality whole-leaf teas in every product. As the official tea line of the Historic Royal Palaces of England, Harney & Sons maintains a legacy of excellence, with their SOHO Tea House in Manhattan voted one of the top 10 best tea houses globally by FOOD & WINE Magazine. Their teas are Fair Trade Certified™ by Fair Trade USA, and they offer products like the Organic Black Sweet Iced Tea, which combines organic black tea with organic cane sugar and contains only 90 calories per bottle. With a commitment to tradition and innovation, Harney & Sons continues to be a leader in the tea industry.

Assamica Agro

Assamica Agro is renowned for producing high-quality black tea, particularly the Queen of Assam Black Tea, which is graded as TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe) and sourced from the Dibrugarh area of Assam, India. This tea is hand-harvested by the Prithivi Small Tea Growers cooperative, consisting of six small tea farms certified organic by OneCert Asia, covering 16 hectares of land. The tea is known for its robust flavor, with aromas of figs, malt, chocolate, and licorice. Assam tea, in general, accounts for over 50% of India's total tea production, with Assam producing more than 500 million kilograms of tea annually, of which only 10% is consumed locally. The brand's commitment to quality and sustainability has made it a favorite among tea enthusiasts.

Tazo

Tazo, a leading brand in the tea industry, is committed to producing high-quality black tea through regenerative and sustainable practices. By 2029, Tazo aims to transition its entire tea, herbs, and spices supply chain to regenerative agriculture, with a goal of developing 60% to 80% of its products through these practices by the end of 2023. The brand has already launched regenerative organic versions of four popular tea varieties, which are also USDA Organic and certified by Fair Trade USA and the Rainforest Alliance. Tazo's efforts include improving soil health, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of at least 250,000 smallholder farmers by 2026. This commitment to sustainability positions Tazo as a key player in the organic tea market, which is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Yorkshire Tea

Yorkshire Tea is a paramount brand in the UK black tea market, boasting a record 36.2% market share as of 2023, making it the clear market leader. Despite the overall decline in the standard black tea category, Yorkshire Tea has consistently shown growth, with a 7.2% increase in volumes and a 3.4% rise in value to PS119.1m in the year ending October 2021. The brand's success is further underscored by its recognition in the industry, including being shortlisted for Marketing Week's Brand of the Year 2023 and winning the Grand Prix at the Effies. Yorkshire Tea's parent company, Bettys & Taylors Group, reported a 14% increase in turnover to PS296m and a 20% rise in operating profits to PS12.4m for the year ending October 2023. This growth is attributed to operational efficiencies, cost savings, and the brand's strong marketing campaigns. For more details on Yorkshire Tea's market leadership in a declining category, check out this detailed report.

Dilmah

Dilmah is renowned as one of the best producers of black tea, distinguished by its commitment to quality, single-origin tea, and ethical production. Launched in 1985 by Merrill J. Fernando, Dilmah was the first producer-owned tea brand, ensuring tea is 'picked, perfected and packed' at the source to maintain freshness and natural goodness. The brand holds a significant market share, with 13.9% of the value and 11.7% of the volume in the Australian tea market as of 2010. Dilmah's products are sold in over 110 countries and account for 10% of global tea production. The company's focus on innovation and sustainability has driven revenue growth, with an 8% increase in revenues from 2019 to 2020.

Bigelow

Bigelow Tea Company is renowned as one of the best producers of black tea, with a rich history dating back to 1945 when it was founded by Ruth C. Bigelow. The company, still 100% family-owned, employs 350 people and generated approximately $188.9 million in annual sales in 2020. Bigelow produces over 2 billion tea bags annually and is a national market leader, offering a diverse range of teas, including the popular Constant Comment black tea flavored with orange rinds and sweet spices. Their teas are blended in Fairfield, Connecticut, and the company has additional plants in Boise, Idaho, and Louisville, Kentucky. Bigelow's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a staple in the U.S. tea market. For more information, visit the Bigelow Tea official website.

Ahmad Tea

Ahmad Tea Limited is renowned for its high-quality black tea, with a turnover of £43.1 million and an operating margin of 4%, exceeding the industry average. Founded in 1986, the company has established itself as a mature and large-sized entity in the wholesale of coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices sector. Their English Tea No.1 is a best-seller, known for its smooth and subtly fragrant flavor. The company's financial health is strong, with a gross margin of 25.9% and a growth rate of 4% over the last three years. Ahmad Tea Limited's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has made it a favorite among tea enthusiasts.

Numi Organic Tea

Numi Organic Tea, a leader in the production of high-quality organic black tea, is celebrated for its fair trade certified products. In 2021, Numi Inc achieved $9.9 million in organic black tea sales, securing a 10.7% market share within the U.S. organic black tea market. The company's combined sales of organic black and green tea amassed $23.1 million, representing 6.1% of the total organic tea market and a notable 13.4% of the combined organic black and green tea markets. Since its founding in 1999, Numi has been a beacon of sustainability and social responsibility, utilizing biodegradable and recyclable packaging. Numi's organic black tea sales play a pivotal role in reinforcing its position as a prominent player in the U.S. organic tea industry.

Teavana

Teavana, though not exclusively a producer of black tea, was a significant player in the tea market, offering a variety of tea types including black, green, white, and herbal infusions. Acquired by Starbucks in 2012 for $620 million, Teavana saw its tea business grow by 40% post-acquisition, particularly in China and Japan. Despite its retail stores facing challenges, Teavana's products, including hot tea sachets and loose-leaf herbal infusions, experienced a 68.6% sales increase in multi-outlets and convenience stores by 2020. Teavana's commitment to quality and its participation in the Ethical Tea Partnership ensured ethical production and distribution practices. However, the brand's retail presence was impacted by the decline of mall culture and the rise of online shopping. For more details on Teavana's availability, visit their store locator.