In Chinese and culturally influenced languages, black tea is known as red tea (紅茶), perhaps a more accurate description of the color of the liquid. However, in the western world, "red tea" more commonly refers to South African rooibos tisane.
The expression black tea is also used to describe a cup of tea without milk (served black), similar to coffee similarly served without milk or cream. In the United Kingdom, black tea is not commonly consumed black, as adding milk is the common practice.
---from "The Free Encyclopedia"
