Camellia sinensis Black Tea Identity
The botanical entity is Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, an evergreen shrub of the tea family, Theaceae. The part used is the young leaf and bud, which is withered, rolled, oxidized and dried to make black tea before it is extracted. Stems, seeds and flowers are not added to this black tea extract.
All true teas come from the same species, and the processing decides the type. In black tea the leaf enzymes oxidize the catechins to theaflavins and the larger thearubigins, which give the reddish-brown color and fuller taste. The leaf also carries caffeine, amino acids such as theanine and a small volatile fraction. Because processing defines the product, the word black in the name is part of the identity.












