SMELLBOOK REFERENCE · SB-0058
Black Tea
Permanent ID: smellbook: · updated 2026-10-06, revision 3
Character EDITORIAL
Brewed black tea smells warm and dry with a slightly bitter, tannic edge, like dried leaves softened by hot water.
Words: dry, warm, aromatic, tannic. Families: Temperature and texture.
Evidence
Scientific evidence
- Key odorants of sun-dried black tea (CLM-BLACKTEA-001). Cong Liu, Chao Wang, Tingting Zheng, Miaomiao Zhao, Wanying Gong, Qiaomei Wang, Liang Yan & Wenjie Zhang, Characterization of Key Odor-Active Compounds in Sun-Dried Black Tea by Sensory and Instrumental-Directed Flavor Analysis, Foods, 2022.
Molecules named in these claims: (E)-β-damascenone, dihydro-β-ionone, geraniol, linalool, β-ionone. A molecule listed here is named in a VERIFIED claim about this smell. It is not presented as the cause of the smell; each claim says what its source supports.
Cite
SmellBook. (2026). Black Tea (revision 3, 2026-10-06). SmellBook Public Atlas. smellbook:smell:black-tea. https://smellbook.com/smells/black-tea
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