Assam Boisahabi Malty Second Flush

My brother left a bag of this here at the house last week while visiting. He somehow ended up with it, and didn’t like it much, I guess.

This produces an amazingly black cup of tea. I actually broke down, broke my rule of thumb, and put some dairy in this just because it is so strong and has so much bite.

If you like really classic, strong black tea, this is the way to go.

While he was visiting, I boiled some of it in milk with chai spices and it makes AMAZING chai.

Have been drinking black teas all day from the incredible samples that Sil sent me. What I’ve learned:
– there is still a TON that I don’t know about black teas.
- I like black tea out of a ceramic mug rather than a glass cup.

I don’t usually do very well with Assam, but am willing to try almost anything. I’m not getting any smoky out of this one. It’s pretty light and has some of that grape y white wine high note thing that I’m not really fond of. I don’t think this is astringent but it has just a touch of the – suck the dryness out of your mouth thing. (Yes I’m making it up as I go along – but these are just my impressions.)

Thanks Sil for a fun day of black teas – and I still have some more picked out for tomorrow – tonight – I need to move onto something else.

There is something about this tea that reminds me of “red rose.” I picked this one up on a whim when i was in Chicago just to see how one of their assams might taste. The instructions say 5mins brewing, but i have yet to try this @ 5 mins. I can’t imagine how this would taste at 5 mins. At 3 it’s a little strong and edging towards bitter. I’ll be sharing this with a few people though just to see if maybe there will be love for this one at someone else’s hands.

This is a favorite of mine to drink in the morning with toast. It has a nice grassy note with and earthy flavor and sweetness of carmel. Great tea for the price.