A first step towards identification of tannin-derived black carbon: Conventional pyrolysis (Py-GC-MS) and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation (THM-GC-MS) of charred condensed tannins

► Condensed tannins (CT) were charred in a muffle furnace between 200 and 600 °C. ► Charred CT were analyzed by pyrolysis-GC-MS and THM-GC-MS. ► B-ring dehydroxylation at ⩾300 °C and condensation to polyaromatics at ⩾400 °C. ► A-ring recognized from phloroglucinols in THM, thermally degraded at ⩾300 °C. ► Phloroglucinols detected up to 450 °C, THM markers of CT in natural black carbon.