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Black tea · West Java

Java Black

Indonesian tea, Javanese tea

7.3/10 editor's score

Black tea from Indonesia, mostly West Java. Indonesia was the eighth-largest tea producer in 2023, mainly of black tea.

EverydaySmoothIndonesia
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Java Black, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafJava Black
250 ml water100°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorRed-amber
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

Black tea from Indonesia, mostly West Java.

CaffeineMedium~40 to 60 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit8.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestAll yearTropical picking.
Pairs withBreakfast, Fried snacks, CakeLess good with delicate fish
Grown atHighland plantationsWest Java, Java
Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Java Black

What sources say about the taste

Sources cover production; taste varies by estate.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

West JavaJavaINDONESIA
West Java
About two-thirds of production 1
Indonesia
Eighth-largest producer in 2023 1
Trials
1820s at Bogor Botanical Gardens 1
Exports
Mainly black tea 1

More from West Java and Indonesia.

History and culture

Tea became part of the Cultivation System in 1828 1.

In the early 20th century the Dutch East Indies was the largest tea exporter outside India and Sri Lanka 1.

Editor's score

7.3/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 6.5Origin & heritage: 6.5Availability: 8.0Value: 8.5Beginner-friendliness: 8.0Versatility: 7.5Flavour 6.5Heritage 6.5Availability 8.0Value 8.5Beginners 8.0Versatility 7.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Java Black~40 to 60 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Picked through the year. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Assam seeds from Ceylon arrived in 1877 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Leaf and bud.

02Withering

Softened.

03Rolling

Orthodox or CTC.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Dried.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafDark broken leaf.
LiquorRed-amber.
After steeping
Wet leafBrown leaf.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Breakfast
  • Fried snacks
  • Cake

Best avoided

  • Delicate fish

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

Orthodox and CTC grades.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Around half the plantation area is smallholdings 1.
  2. Check estate or region.
FAQ
Where in Indonesia is tea grown?

Mostly West Java, then Central Java and North Sumatra 1.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from IndonesiaWest JavaEverydaySmoothIndonesia

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Tea production in Indonesia". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_production_in_Indonesia
  2. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.