Mangalam FTGFOP 1 - Assam - 1st Flush 2010

(I Hope I am logging this one right…)

Thanks to The Purrfect Cup for this one, too! Wooooo!

Is anyone else’s dashboard lagging BAD – today??? eeeeek!

On to the tea notes, eh!?

This is a hearty assam! Malty, rich, strong, dark, astringent but in a good way! Leaves a lingering taste of ‘fall’ in your mouth…like toasty or roasty…leaves, even! But in an appetizing way, that is!

The leaves of my sample are a gorgeous dark green which wonderfully sets of the fair amount of golden tips. Mainly consisting of whole leaves which are thin, wiry and gently curled, there are a few broken leaves with a bit of dust in the bottom of the sample. The aroma reminds me of stone fruits with a slight malty overtone.

I set up my tea-maker using sixteen grams of leaves and a brew temp of 200 degrees. (The recommended temp was 194 but I didn’t have that option.) I used a steep time of three and a half minutes.

The resulting liquor is a warm golden brown with an aroma that almost perfect matches the scent given off by the dry leaves. This is a rather light Assam with just a touch of dryness that teases the edges of your tongue. There is a natural sweetness to it and a taste that reminds me of stone fruit. One sip and I swear that I am reminded of peaches and the next sip is one of plums.

Most Assams are too heavy for me to enjoy without a good dose of rock sugar and half-n-half to smooth out the sharpness. This one however is just perfect for sipping with just a dab of sweetening. I think that I am in love.