Black teas are made from tea leaves that have been quickly and heavily oxidized. This gives the leaf and liquor a dark appearance and significantly changes the aroma and flavor - most notably in the strong body of breakfast teas. Chinese gongfu black teas are less concerned with strength and focus on more subtle characteristics.
Mei Zhan is a traditional oolong varietal from Fujian, but it can be used to make black tea. Mei Zhan has been transplanted in many different tea-producing regions of China and thrived.
