Assam Marangi Second Flush SFTGFOP1, Tea Champion

Zen has brought us quite a tasty Assam. Malty, not all that astringent, at least to my tastes, and a hint of caramel-like sweetness. I added some whole milk and it brought out the sweetness even more. It’s like I’m drinking tea with cream and sugar yet I didn’t add any sugar to this.

It was a good thing that I’ve run out of coffee to brew in the morning because it only pushed me to try this. It’s going really well with the new Pure Protein Mocha Brownie bars.

Oh look at that, according to Steepster, this is the 800th tea I’ve rated on here. I know I’ve tried even more than that, but that’s still cool.

I had to try a new assam offering from Zen! The leaves are mostly dark with a gold leaf here and there. The flavor is classic assam: malty, bold yet sweet, with a kick of caffeine at the end of the sip. The second steep seems lighter and somehow fresher tasting — almost adapting a juicy fruit flavor. I love when a tea balances sweet with briskness and this one does that more than most teas and in a shockingly noticeable way. First steep: more astringent. Second steep: sweeter. This is easily an assam I could choose to represent one assam in my tea collection. It’s everything a good assam should be!
Steep #1 // 1 heaping teaspoon for a full mug// 12 minutes after boiling // 3 1/2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 10 minutes after boiling // 3-4 minute steep