Black tea: buy quality loose leaf tea online

"Discover the Arnaud Selection: the excellence of black tea online. A collection that takes you on a sensory journey through the most prestigious tea gardens."

AS

I am Arnaud Sion

Founder of Comptoir de Toamasina — Tea specialist trained in China at 17

I was trained in China at the age of 17 in the world of tea, and I continued this training in Brazil to become a tea specialist. Each batch of black tea I offer is selected with this same rigor, from the terroir to the cup.

Sensory journey

From aromatic Darjeeling to robust Yunnan teas, each black tea is selected for its unique character.

Quality & price

Buying at Comptoir de Toamasina guarantees exceptional quality at competitive prices direct from producers.

Field expertise

Arnaud Sion, trained in China and Brazil, selects each batch as a true tea specialist.

At Comptoir de Toamasina, we invite you to explore the Arnaud Selection, a meticulous collection of loose-leaf black teas available directly in our online shop. Dubbed "red tea" in China for its rich coppery color, black tea is famous for its complete oxidation process that gives it unmatched depth and aromatic complexity. It is our best-selling tea.

Our range is constantly expanding with single-origin teas and organic black teas for anyone seeking to enjoy the purity of an exceptional leaf without compromise.

Darjeeling Black Tea FTGF0P1 Darjeeling Black Tea FTGF0P1 2

Darjeeling FTGFOP1 Pussimbing

TDI
Darjeeling Black Tea FTGF0P1. Here is a tea typically from a spring harvest with vegetal, herbal, floral and fruity notes. Our tea comes from a high altitude garden to guarantee the best leaves. Power of black tea: 8/10 Main Notes: aromatic herb To savor: Morning and early afternoon here, at Comptoir de Toamasina Comptoir des thés excellences, you will...
€8.40
Ceylon Black Tea PETTIAGALLA OP Ceylon Black Tea PETTIAGALLA OP 2

Ceylon Black Tea PETTIAGALLA OP

TCN
Pettiagalla Orange Pekoe black tea is a very high quality black tea with beautiful long and regular leaves with slightly spicy notes of Sri Lankan soil. You are going to buy a black tea with a cup of dark red color with a powerful aroma of spicy and honeyed notes. Power of scented black tea: 7/10 Main notes: spices and honey To savor: In the morning Buy...
€5.51
Black Tea Kerala OP Black Tea Kerala OP 2

Black Tea Kerala OP

TNI
Black tea from India from Nellimyampathy gardens will be characterized by an intense taste, it develops a note of hazelnut and honey, specific to the province of Kerala. An ideal tea for breakfast with or without milk. Power of black tea: 8/10 Main Notes: Hazelnut and Honey To savor: In the morning The plus: maybe enjoy with milk Buy Kerala's best black...
Out-of-Stock
€5.30
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Lapsang Souchong Tea Lapsang Souchong Tea 2

Lapsang Souchong Tea

TLJC
Lapsang Souchong smoked black tea, smoked black tea, prestigious tea because it is made with special woods. It offers smoky notes with a vegetal touch. A frank tea, powerful from the first attack on the palate. it offers a smooth texture. Power of black tea: 10/10 Main notes: wood with a vegetal touch To savor: In the morning Buy the best Lapsang Souchong...
€7.54
Black Tea Nepal Grand Cru - Golden Buds Black Tea Nepal Grand Cru - Golden Buds 2

Black Tea Nepal Grand Cru - Golden Buds

TNNGCBO
Black tea from Nepal is an exceptional grand cru tea. Gourmet tea par excellence, it will develop notes of gourmet, honey, spice, floral and slightly woody notes. Gold tea from Nepal is golden in color and offers you a cup of intense gold color. Power of black tea: 7/10 Main notes: spices, honey and oak To savor: In the morning and early afternoon Buy...
€6.33

Where to buy loose leaf black tea: purchase and discovery of fine teas

Le Comptoir de Toamasina was born from Arnaud's passion for vanilla, spices, and world teas. This quest led him to curate a selection of exclusive blends, classic teas, and inventive creations. Unique flavors and aromas are combined to create a complete sensory experience. Today, Le Comptoir de Toamasina is a trusted reference in the tea market in France and Brazil.

Online sale of Grand Cru black tea and single-origin black tea

Our family business is a demanding tea house. We work with teas selected with the rigor of a tea specialist. Arnaud, founder of Comptoir, was trained in China starting at age 17, and later pursued his learning in Brazil to perfect his mastery of the leaf.

We offer black teas resulting from complete oxidation: during this step, leaves turn from green to bright copper, transforming their vegetal aromas into fruity, woody, or honeyed notes. You get an amber, full-bodied infusion rich in caffeine, ideal for the morning.

The 6 major black tea terroirs

Each producing region imparts unique nuances to black tea under the influence of climate, altitude, and soil:

Assam Tea (India)

From the world's largest producing region. A strong, malty, and brisk tea, perfect enjoyed with a drop of milk.

Darjeeling Tea (India)

Delicate, fruity, and floral. The harvest season influences the cup: green and light in spring, round and honeyed in summer.

Nilgiri Tea (India)

Fragrant, floral, and smooth with a medium body. A terroir particularly suited for refreshing iced teas.

Ceylon Tea (Sri Lanka)

Varies according to garden altitude, generally revealing a brisk attack with notes of spices or cocoa.

Keemun Tea (China)

Subtle, fruity, and floral. It sometimes develops subtle notes of pine and light tobacco, offering great smoothness on the palate.

Yunnan Tea (China)

Grown at high altitudes in the cradle of tea. Offers generous flavors of malt, chocolate, and sweet spices.

Botany: which plant produces black tea?

Black tea is extracted from Camellia sinensis, a shrub belonging to the Theaceae family. Native to subtropical Asia, it naturally contains theophylline, caffeine, tannins, and flavonoids.

Everything about cultivation and the black tea leaf

Vanilla specialist since 2010, Le Comptoir de Toamasina expanded in 2013 with its first single-origin black teas. The tea plant thrives in a mild and humid climate, with ideal temperatures between 10°C and 30°C (50°F to 86°F). It prefers deep, acidic, and well-drained soil.

Botanical nameCamellia sinensis
Plant typeEvergreen shrub
Adult size0.90 m to 2 m tall (in cultivation)
Sun exposureFull sun to partial shade
Soil typeWell-drained, sandy, acidic
Native regionChina / Far East
Black tea steeping in a teapot at Comptoir de Toamasina

Why is black tea black? Oxidation

Discovered by chance in the 17th century when a shipment of green tea from China oxidized during the sea voyage to England, black tea results from complete oxidation of the leaves. There are two main production methods:

1. The orthodox (traditional) method: Preserves leaf integrity through meticulous work across several steps. It produces teas of great aromatic finesse.

2. The CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) method: Industrial process of crushing and rolling into small pellets. Used for mass-market tea bags, at the expense of taste complexity.

The 6 traditional manufacturing steps

1. Harvesting: Meticulous manual picking (fine or imperial plucking) of young shoots.
2. Withering: Reducing water content in the leaf to make it pliable.
3. Rolling: Releasing essential oils and breaking plant cells.
4. Oxidation: Resting in a controlled humid atmosphere for 1 to 3 hours.
5. Fixation (Drying): Heat processing (around 90°C / 194°F) to permanently halt oxidation.
6. Sorting: Grading leaves by size and quality (whole leaves vs. broken leaves).

Black tea brewing: how to make a perfect cup?

Golden rule of dosage
10 to 13 g / liter

Use about 2.5g to 3g per 25 cl cup, steeped in water at 90°C to 95°C (194°F - 203°F) for 3 to 5 minutes.

Discover the preparation method explained in video by Arnaud Sion:

Frequently asked questions

What is the right proportion of black tea per liter of water?
Use between 10 and 13 grams of black tea per 1 liter of hot water (around 90-95°C / 194-203°F) to achieve a perfect balance without bitterness.
What is the difference between the orthodox method and the CTC method?
The orthodox method respects whole leaves to preserve delicate aromas. The CTC method crushes leaves for fast, industrial extraction.
Why is black tea called "red tea" in China?
Chinese speakers name this tea after the coppery, amber color of the brewed liquor, whereas Westerners name it after the dark color of the dried leaves.
How long does black tea last?
Thanks to its complete oxidation, black tea keeps for several years in an airtight container away from light, unlike green tea which loses freshness after 12 to 18 months.
What are the 6 major black tea terroirs?
The 6 iconic terroirs are Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri in India, Ceylon in Sri Lanka, as well as Keemun and Yunnan in China.