Black tea has the largest production and sales among all kinds of tea in modern world, and takes up over 80 percent of the total volume of world's tea consumption and trade. It is believed that Tongmu village in east China's Fujian Province is home of black tea on the planet.

A tea plantation in Tongmu in east China's Fujian Province (Xinhua photo/Wei Peiquan)

According to the General History of the Qing Dynasty, Chinese black tea was transported to Britain by the Dutch in 1640.

A Panyong Congou black tea plantation in Fujian Province (Xinhua photo/Wei Peiquan)

Two famous sub-varieties of black tea grown in Fujian are Panyong Congou and Zhengshan Souchong. Panyong Congou seized a golden prize at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in 1915, while Zhengshan Souchong made a fashion in the royal courts in Europe in the 17th century.

The shoot tip of Chinese black tea (Xinhua photo/Wei Peiquan)

Shoot tips picked by villagers (Xinhua photo/Wei Peiquan)

More than 400 years have passed since the Dutch shipped Chinese black tea to Europe. After the Dutch introduced it to Britain, British people have shaped an elegant image of black tea due to their luxuriant drinking ways.

Stoved black tea leaves (Xinhua photo/Wei Peiquan)

Chinese black tea (Xinhua photo/Wei Peiquan)

File photo shows women working in a tea workshop.

Chinese black tea

Observance of the afternoon tea originated amongst the wealthy people in Britain in the 1840s. However, by the end of the 19th century, afternoon tea developed to its current form and has then been observed by both the upper and middle classes.

Modern British afternoon tea is often accompanied by delicate savouries served on a tiered stand

After all these years, British people have added rich connotation to the black tea culture and made it a globally accepted drink. Today, it has become a most luxurious and honorable choice to treat your guests with Chinese black tea. Remember they are from Fujian!