What is the best black tea? We steeped and tasted 24 different black teas (all bags) in search of the very best black tea brands out there. And we found ten that we can earnestly recommend. Whether you’re looking for the best black tea for iced tea or the best decaffeinated black tea, you’ll find it on this list.
If you think all black tea tastes the same, you’d be wrong. (For the most part, we’re talking black tea labeled “black tea,” explicitly.) Black tea can be bold and hearty. It can be light and zippy. It can be subtly floral. To test each tea, we steeped the bags in boiling water (or cold water, if so directed) for about five minutes. We looked for deep, rich flavor. And we looked for freshness, too—no old potpourri in hot water, please. And we looked for tea that can be served hot on its own or with milk, as well as iced. The best black teas should be versatile.
So grab a mug and cozy up. Here’s the best black tea bags you can buy. (And if you’re looking specifically for the best Earl Grey, we ranked that, too.)
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- Kroger Decaf Black Tea
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Kroger’s store brand decaf black tea is just as good as some of the name brand decaf black tea we tasted—actually it might be even better. It’s not as flavorful as any of the full-caffeine black teas on our list, but it’s still bold and bright with a mild tannic finish on the end. It’s not the best black tea you can buy, but it’s the best decaf black tea—especially with a little honey or sugar and lemon. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs
- Signature Select Black Tea
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If you’re looking for Lipton at a lower price point, grab a box of Signature Select Black Tea. It’s very mild and comforting and costs almost nothing. If you’re making iced tea in bulk for a big family BBQ, Signature Select is the best black tea for iced tea by the gallon. The flavor is just tea, with no orange peel or rosemary essence to distract from the product you came to the store to buy: black tea. This would be great for a pitcher or Southern-style sweet tea, just make sure to follow your grandma’s recipe. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Vons
- Twinings Lady Grey Black Tea
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I am convinced that there is no fancier name than Twinings Lady Grey Black Tea. It’s so mysterious and elegant. Who is Lady Grey? She sounds like a woman that would own a pearl necklace on Downton Abbey. I didn’t watch that show, but it’s the vibe the name gives off. Luckily, this tea lived up to its luxurious name. It’s very citrusy and herbal without being overwhelming. This is the best black tea if you’re looking to break out your finest China. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
- O Organics Black Tea
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The biggest selling point for O Organics Black Tea is that there is no bitterness. It packs a ton of natural tea flavor without being too earthy. It’s the best black tea brand for a black tea purist who wants a plain cup of tea without that mouth-drying bitterness. But a splash of whole milk and a spoonful of sugar would also be welcome additions to your mug of O Organics. I like to have this tea with honey and cream at night because it’s calming and caffeine has no effect on me. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Albertsons
- Tetley
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The biggest tea producer in the UK, Tetley makes a rich, flavorful, floral black tea that’s different from any other black tea we tasted. No, it’s not like Earl Grey, either. Tetley black tea is its own beast entirely. I think its super bold flavor would make it the best tasting black tea to use in a latte, since it can stand up to whatever milk you choose. And, of course, it’s the best black tea to have on hand if you’re hosting some Brits. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Newman’s Own Organic Black Tea
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If you’re on the hunt for the best organic black tea, turn to the one and only actor-turned-food-and-charity-magnate, Paul Newman. Newman’s Own Organic Black Tea is so, so good. It’s bright and zingy and just bitter enough and it absolutely sings with a squeeze of lemon. The flavor really lasts and lasts. Good hot or iced, this black tea is a must-buy for the organically minded. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Tazo Organic Awake English Breakfast
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I’m a huge English Breakfast tea fan. I like that it’s not as bitter and astringent as other black teas. And Tazo makes the best English Breakfast tea we tested. It’s toasty and warming. It somehow has an almost creamy texture, even without milk. That means, of course, that it would be even more decadent and cozy with a splash of milk or, hey, let’s get crazy, a splash of sweet cream. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Celestial Seasonings Energy Tea Black Tea
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This black tea surprised everyone on the Sporked staff. I was shocked by how much I loved it! It’s sweet and vanilla-y and citrusy without being weighed down by powerful flavors like cinnamon or clove. You do not need to add anything at all to this tea because it’s already bringing notes of honey and lemon to the table. I also love that there’s no string attached to the tea satchel because my least favorite component of tea bags is excess garbage. It’s also the best tasting black tea to buy if you really need or want a real kick of caffeine. One serving contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee! I brought the box home with me and start my day with it now! — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart
- Lipton Cold Brew
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You might think you can make iced tea with any old black tea. But you’ll never make iced tea as good as this. These black tea bags are specifically crafted to be cold brewed. You can just pop a bag or two into a pitcher of cold water, wait five minutes, and, ta-da, you have perfect iced tea. No boiling needed. No cooling needed. Iced tea when you want it, which, I presume, is now. The flavor is bright and zingy and almost a hair sweet. It would be so good with a squeeze of lemon or mixed with lemonade for an Arnold Palmer. This is the best black tea for iced tea and our lives are all better for it. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Lipton Black Tea
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If you’re looking for the best black tea that’s available anywhere, there’s no denying Lipton takes that spot. It’s certainly not the fanciest tea on the market or the most beautifully packaged. It is, however, wonderfully affordable and utilitarian. And it has a standard, lightly bitter black tea flavor that makes it great hot or iced. It would also be a great base for an Arnold Palmer, homemade bubble tea, or a tea-based cocktail. After two separate taste tests, we can confirm that Lipton still makes the best black tea bags. They can do no wrong! — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Rite Aid
Best Decaf Black Tea
Best Budget
Best Fancy
Best Not Bitter
Best British
Best Organic Black Tea
Best English Breakfast
Best for Caffeine Freaks
Best for Iced Tea
Best of the Best
Other black teas we tried: Twinings black tea variety pack, Bigelow “Constant Comment” Black Tea, Signature Kitchens Black Tea, 365 Black Tea, Allegro Organic Decaf Black Tea, First Street Black Tea, Sprouts Black Tea, Kroger Black Tea, Benner Black Tea, PG Tips, Republic of Tea British Breakfast, Lipton Organic Black Tea, Bigelow Peak Energy Black Tea, Twinings Decaf English Breakfast
