The majority of black tea is grown in specific regions of the world where the climate and geography are ideal for tea cultivation.
India is the largest producer of black tea in the world. Key regions include Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiri. Assam is a northeastern region and one of the most famous for producing strong, malty black teas. Assam accounts for a large portion of India's black tea production. Darjeeling is known for its distinctive, lighter, and aromatic black teas. This region in the foothills of the Himalayas produces some of the world’s most sought-after black tea. Nilgiri is located in southern India and known for its fragrant, smooth, and bright characteristics.
While China is renowned for its green and oolong teas, it also produces significant quantities of black tea (known as hong cha in China). Key areas include Yunnan, a region famous for its strong, earthy black tea varieties, particularly Dianhong and the Anhui province which produces Keemun black tea, a highly prized variety known for its floral and slightly smoky notes.
Sri Lanka is also one of the world’s major black tea producers, and the tea produced there is often called Ceylon tea. The country's diverse topography results in a variety of black teas with different flavor profiles.