Nahorhabi Full-Leaf Assam [Duplicate]

I’m drinking some more of this sample thanks to ScottTeaMan – a delicious assam and great as a breakfast tea. see previous notes. ;)

How many of you order a tea one year, and love it so much you can’t wait for the new crop from the same garden next year? Last year I ordered this tea from Upton’s and they claimed, ‘Due to difficult growing conditions this year in India, this tea has a more intense flavor, which may be tamed with the addition of milk". I’m paraphrasing, but that was true. This year, I looked to Harney and Sons for my full leaf Assam. When I placed my order in Sept, the 2010 Nahorhabi Estate tea was the only top grade full leaf Assam they had, so I ordered it.

My first two cups were tasted on Sat, 10-22-11. I figured it might be less fresh because it was from last years crop. Man was I wrong! The tea was sealed in a foil bag & maintained its freshness. When I opened the bag and inhaled deeply……….BAMM, I was hit with this wonderful, malty, candy sweet Assam! My mouth literally started to water! I took a few minutes to take it all in. In addition, this tippy Assam possessed good chocolate notes as well. I reduced my steep times to 3.5 minutes to compensate for the claim above. After my tea cooled, the cups aroma came through. This medium brown hued cup smelled malty, chocolatey, with a truly natural sweetness. Definitely very malty, chocolate sweetness on the palate, with full, lingering flavor and yet very smooth. I’m not sure about honey notes. Sometimes I’ll add more tea to steeped leaves and resteep using same parameters. Here the tea is still malty, chocolatey and sweet, although more stout (but not bitter). To subdue some of the stoutness, sometimes I’ll add the smallest dash of skim milk, which brings a creaminess to the flavor, without sacrificing taste.

This tends to be my Saturday evening tea, which I’ve had each week since that first cup. I could drink this tea every day but I don’t, because I believe special teas like this one should be occasionally savored. I look forward to drinking this one every Saturday night! :))

Reviewed: Sunday, 11-20-11.

Nahorhabi Full has a wonderful rich and malty taste. We are drinking this today to celebrate India’s first World Cup (Cricket) victory since 1983! Congratulations India, your tea is delicious!
-RA

This tea has a pleasantly surprising smoothness for a dark Assam and while not completely immune from going bitter, it takes a good deal of steeping amnesia for this to happen. Despite really letting loose on this one – pouring a full boil and even a spoon squeeze of the leaves after 4 minutes, it still brewed strong but with rich yet balanced, enjoyable flavor with some natural honey-like sweetness. This cup epitomizes a deep cup of tea – dark brewed with unmistakable character that declares its quality above many other black teas. The experience is unforgettable enough that I was able to remember the name of the estate and recommend this Assam to others while it is still available.

I have enjoyed this tea iced as well in the summer months – brewing it strong in quantity but not increasing steep time. It pairs well with light, sweet citrus.

This is currently my preferred Assam, though I have ordered some of the new Mangalam and Satisphur varieties and will testify for those once they arrive.

This is a lovely tea. I started with a 4 oz tin and liked it enough to purchase a pound. Even better than their 2010 Mangalam. Lovely malty flavor. Great with a touch of honey. Initially was brewing for 5 minutes but it was bitter a few times so reduced to 4.5 minutes.