Black tea is probably the most popular form of this beverage for tea drinkers everywhere. If you have ever been a serious tea drinker or even an occasional one, chances are you have had black tea and probably did not even realize it. To many people, tea is just that, tea. However, for those regular drinkers, we know different tea has different flavors and strengths.

Black tea is the strongest and darkest type you will ever find. Have you ever heard of Lipton? Sure you have and you have probably even had a cup or two, it is black tea. However, did you wonder what makes it black? What makes it strong?

Well, you should first know that black tea does not come from a different plant than other varieties. Every type of tea you have ever seen or drank all comes from the same type of plant. However, different leaf types, the way it is harvested, and processed actually make the tea different.

There are four steps to creating black tea. First, the leaves used are spread apart and then left alone to become pliable and limp for use, which is known as withering. After this process, rolling with a machine or by hand is performed, which allows for a chemical release.

Oxidation is the third step of the process, which is almost known as fermentation, this is when leaves are exposed to air for up to four hours, in which they begin to change colors from green to a dark brown. Firing is then the last step of the process, large ovens dry the leaves out, and readies them for brewing.

That's that, the tea is ready for its first cup. Remember, because black tea is the strongest variety, you only want to use about one teaspoon for each eight ounces of water you intend to use. Pour your boiling water into the cup and allow steeping for no more than five minutes. Any longer than five minutes will result in oversteeping, which will make the drink taste very bitter. Of course, if you accidentally find yourself with a bitter tasting drink, you can add some milk to the brew and curb some of the bitter tastes.

Just how strong is black tea? Well, let's put it this way, if you drink eight ounces of it, there are forty milligrams of caffeine in that one cup. That is equal to that popular cup of coffee all of your friends are drinking to give them that morning boost.

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Lee Dobbins writes for http://tea.topicgaint.com where you can learn more about different types of tea, including the popular black tea.