This is a very robust brisk tea. It has loads of maltiness and will wake you in the morning. It does have some astringency. This tea will take milk easily as it is a very strong tea. I am drinking it plain after a 3 minute steep. If you steeped 5 minutes I think a spoon would stand straight up in this tea. The tea looks like grapenuts ( CTC? ). Its a nice breakfast tea and really not a bad cup. I’m going to try a 2 minute steep next time.
I just tried this tea with a 2 minute steep. It is at least 10 points better in my opinion. The bitterness and astringency are almost nil. You can even taste the assam tea in this blend. It is still brisk and robust, it just tastes much better.