Black tea, from China referred to as "red tea," was discovered in the mid-17th century and quickly became a hot commodity due to its smoky flavor and ability to retain and improve its flavor with age. The British traders fell in love with it and purchased as much as they could until the Dutch took over the market. The British then discovered black tea in India, creating blends such as Darjeeling, Earl Grey, and Orange Pekoe. Today, 90% of all tea sold in the US is black tea and it remains a staple in British royalty, often indicating wealth and status. Listen to see what yer missin and as always follow us for more, rate us if you don't hate us, and drop us a line for a good time on CulinaryConvo.com or [email protected]! Interested in supporting the show? Join our Patreon and become a cadet or collaborator today @ patreon.com/culinaryconvo