Assam, a state famous for its conservation of wildlife, including the one-horned rhino, is the largest tea-growing area in the world. The high mountains and valleys of this region in North East India are sheltered by the eastern Himalayas. The high rainfall and the high humidity of the rainy season make the ground very wet.
Local conditions, with rainfall of 200-300cm per year, but sometimes exceeding 10m in one season, and temperatures up to 96.8 degrees centigrade, resemble those of a vast greenhouse. These are ideal conditions for the plants, so growth is vigorous from Spring to Autumn before the winter cold sends them into their dormant period. This region is renowned for the quality of the black teas it produces. A coppery liquor with a strong, full-bodied, slightly sweet, malty taste.
Assam Broken Orange Pekoe is one of our most popular teas. This is not the old robust number of years ago, but it is cleaner and a much nicer drink. You will find that this tea features in our House Blend Tea, which has recently had a re-vamp, and we (admittedly being completely biased) think it tastes great.
For black tea (Without milk) standard recipe of 7g of tea, 90 °C for 3 minutes.
For white tea (black tea with milk added), 10g of tea, 95 °C, 4-5 minutes, depending upon the strength you prefer.
Classic malty, rich dark brown classic Assam. You can brew this as a black tea if you keep the temperature down and the steep short.
Alternatively, you can brew hotter for a cosy milky tea. If you keep finding yourself brewing this black, you could consider the TGFOP, which is a little fruity and relatively sweeter.
