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CHOICE spills the tea on the best-tasting black tea

Aldi takes first place, with Tetley and Coles tying for second.

Last updated: 07 March 2024

CHOICE has tasted 32 supermarket black teas to reveal which tastes the best and the ones to avoid buying. 

"Tea is a popular beverage, perfect for biscuit dunkers and cold mornings. There are an overwhelming number of brands and varieties out there to choose from, so we've taste-tested over 30 black teas so you know which one to add to your trolley," says CHOICE Editorial Director, Mark Serrels. 

"Aldi Just Organic Black Tea took first place in our taste test, receiving a score of 81%. Our judges praised it for its floral-fruity undertones," says Serrels. 

"Coming in second were Tetley Extra Strong Tea Bags and Coles Tea Cup Bags, both receiving a score of 73%. They scored well for their strong floral and earthy notes, and were some of the cheapest teas we tested. If you're looking for a great-tasting tea that is friendly on your wallet, we recommend checking these out," says Serrels. 

Our expert judges blind taste tested each black tea and gave each one a CHOICE Expert Rating determined by assessing colour, aroma, overall flavour, aftertaste and mouthfeel. 

The best tasting black tea:

Aldi Just Organic black tea

1. Aldi Just Organic Black Tea

CHOICE Expert Rating: 81%

Price: $2.99, $0.06 per bag

Flavour profile: Floral, fruity 

Coles tea cup bags

2. Coles Tea Cup Bags 

CHOICE Expert Rating: 73%

Price: $1.90, $0.02 per bag

Flavour profile: Floral, sweet, earthy (wood)

Tetley Extra Strong tea bags black tea

2. Tetley Extra Strong Tea Bags 

CHOICE Expert Rating: 73%

Price: $4.60, $0.05 per bag

Flavour profile: Floral, fruity, earthy (wood)

The worst tasting black tea:

Queen Victoria Strong English Breakfast black tea

1.Queen Victoria Strong English Breakfast

CHOICE Expert Rating: 36%

Price: $11, $0.11 per bag

Flavour profile: Fire (ash, toast, tobacco), earthy (wood)

Queen Victoria English Breakfast black tea

2. Queen Victoria English Breakfast

CHOICE Expert Rating: 42% 

Price: $11, $0.11 per bag

Flavour profile: Earthy 

Madura Premium Blend black tea

3. Madura Premium Blend

CHOICE Expert Rating: 45%

Price: $5.90, $0.12 per bag

Flavour profile: Earthy (mineral)

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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.