Have you ever tried the “champagne of teas?” Considered the most expensive tea because the leaves are smaller than other teas, Darjeeling tea traditionally possesses an allure over other black teas, especially in places like the United Kingdom and countries once belonging to the former British Empire. Can you imagine tea that costs $1,700 per kg? Below you will find a handful of pricey selections, including the most expensive teabag in the world.

Darjeeling Tea

Purchase prices for Darjeeling tea have broken world records, including the 18,000 rupees ($390.70) per kg paid at an auction at the main tea market in Calcutta in 2003. Weather conditions also play a significant role in the price of the tea because too much or too little rain can negatively affect crops.

When purchasing Darjeeling tea, get in the habit of identifying the ‘flush,’ which indicates when shoots have been plucked. In early April, the first flush usually takes place – producing fragrant tea with multiple layers of flavor. The second flush comes early summer and is often less expensive. The tea is softer, fruitier (and at times smokier) in taste.

Tieguanyin Oolong Tea

Hailing from the Fujian province, China, Tieguanyin tea generally sells for $1,700 per kg. Demanding multiple infusions in order to bring out the intensity of its flavor, the oolong tea is brewed three to four times – in a style known as ‘gung fu.’ With a characteristic floral appeal, the Chinese favor the tea for special occasions.

Tea drinkers may choose from two types of Tieguanyin:

* Jade Tieguanyin – Harvested the second week in May, the flowery aroma and taste complements its soft green color.
* Autumn Tieguanyin – The deeper flavor of this Chinese favorite comes courtesy of a fall harvest.

Da Hong Pao Tea

If you’re looking for the most expensive tea in the world, the original Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) from Wuyi China is a clear winner. In 2002, 20 grams of Da Hong Pao (which measures out to about two-thirds of an ounce) sold for the equivalent of nearly $23,000. In 2004, the same quantity fetched about $21,000. This is because the original Da Hong Pao tea trees date back more than 350 years.

With a history of being an exquisite treat for government officials, emperors, and religious leaders, the public has only been granted limited access to the teas at auctions. While it’s next to impossible to get a hold of the original Da Hong Pao tea, the wonder of modern science has allowed clones of original plants for commercial growth. Known as “secondary” Da Hong Pao tea, consumers enjoy easy access to the essence of a historical treasure at affordable prices.

A Diamond Teabag

While you can’t drink it, it’s certainly an impressive sight to see – a teabag filled with diamonds. Boodles Jewelers handcrafted a diamond teabag worth £7,500 (US $15,250) to pay homage to PG Tips’ 75th birthday. Inside, 280 diamonds glisten. It’s fate? To raise money for a children’s charity in Manchester, England.

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Diamond Stud Earrings

Served strong without sweeteners, drenched in cream, flavored with fruits, or blended with citrus oils, black tea is one of the most popular brews in the United States and abroad. When compared to other varieties, black tea undergoes a lengthier oxidization process, which produces stronger flavors and more caffeine than less oxidized selections. Black tea also retains its flavor for several years, unlike green tea, which typically loses its taste within a year. From worldwide classics to exotic blends, below you will find 10 variations of black tea to add to your tea-drinking repertoire.

1. Earl Grey
Sip on a cup of Earl Grey and taste the distinct flavor of bergamot oil, which comes from the peel of a citrus fruit with juice that tastes less sour than lemons, but more bitter than a grapefruit. Ways to enjoy Earl Grey varieties include Twinings ‘Lady Grey’ (with lemon and Seville orange), French Earl Grey (with added rose petals), and ‘London Fog’ – a combination of Earl Grey, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup.

2. Assam
With a full-bodied taste and vibrant color, the strong flavor of Assam generates a characteristic ‘malty’ black tea often categorized as a ‘breakfast tea.’ Originating in the lowlands of Assam, India, tea drinkers often take advantage of the intense brew by adding cream, milk or lemon – all of which unable to overpower the true taste of the tea.

3. Masala Chai
While the preparation of Masala chai differs in the United States, the traditional beverage of India blends a strong black tea (like Assam), milk, spices, and sweetener (such as sugar or honey) to produce a dessert tea out of this world. Whole milk enhances the richness of this beverage, while some people use condensed milk to increase overall sweetness. The spiciness of the tea relies on cardamom mixed with one or more of the following spices: cinnamon, peppercorn, cloves, ginger and star anise.

4. and 5.English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast
For a full-bodied black tea with a strong, rich taste, sample English Breakfast with milk and sugar for a peek into British tradition. A cup of Irish Breakfast tea delivers a full-bodied, malty brew comprised of several different black teas (usually including Assam teas). Typically served with milk, Irish Breakfast tea also goes well lemon and sugar.

6. Darjeeling
Delivering a floral and fruity experience, Darjeeling tea originates from West Bengal, India and is known as a favorite in the United Kingdom. Known as the ‘Champagne of Teas,’ the small-leaved Chinese variety of tea is selected to produce distinct astringent and spicy characteristics. Today, Darjeeling may include blends of green and oolong added to black tea.

7. Ceylon
A Sri Lankan delight, Ceylon black tea is typically strong with hints of citrus. The tea bags shown are from the Impra Flavour Collection, which offers easily detectable fruitiness, including black current, lemon, strawberry, blueberry, cherry, and even pineapple.

8. Turkish (or Çay)
Hailing from the Rize Province on the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey, strong (dark) or weak (light) versions of this mahogany black tea competes with Turkish coffee as the most popular drink in the country. Too strong and full-flavored for large cups, the tea is served in small glasses with cubes of sugar.

9. Lapsang Souchong
The original source of Lapsang Souchong tea is highly expensive, as Mount Wuji located in the Fujian Province of China is a small region. This unique black tea is dried over pinewood fire, which creates a strong, smoky flavor known to produce extreme reactions. Interestingly, some chefs in China actually smoke foods over the smoldering black tea.

10. Tibetan Butter Tea
You probably never imagined tea made with butter and salt, but in Tibet, the warming properties of this brew is a fascinating custom. This special black tea comes in varying shaped bricks from Pemagul, Tibet. To make, crumbles of tea are boiled for many hours before being churned with butter, salt, and milk (or milk powder).