This a pleasant Assam. The packages I have bought are marked organic. I have bought it several times, and the flavor and quality have been consistent.
This is not a complex tea. It is smooth, hint of maltiness, a lovely dark, rich taste. Takes milk very well. Would be pleasant mixed with another smooth, more complex tea.
I really enjoy this one. Has a bit of a splurge taste, a thickness that I find very nice.
If I remember correctly it was $9.50 per pound, plus taxes.
I use two rounded teaspoons of tea for just under four cups of filtered, purified water. Water is boiled in stainless steel over gas flame. Steeping time: 4:30. It might hold up to a tad longer steeping time.
To me, this one is good enough to give as a present, if the other person knows it is a daily, or almost daily tea, not an extraordinary tea. It is very nice to have an inexpensive Assam available at a place where one buys the weekly groceries. (I wouldn’t drive across town merely for the tea.)
ETA on August 26, 2011: This tea leaves a residue, not only in the teapot and tea cups, but on my teeth. As nice as it is to drink, I have stopped drinking it, because it is so hard to clean the tea stains off my teeth.
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I’m working my way through their tea selection, too! I’ve been meaning to try their plain Assam. I enjoyed the vanilla, so I’m sure it’s good on its own…
Hi, Tabby. :) If someone enjoys flavored teas, I think the plain Assam might have enough richness and body that it wouldn’t taste too plain. I don’t drink flavored teas, so can’t say much more.
I bought more of the Assam recently, and it is just as nice as the first few “batches” I bought.
I’m working my way through their tea selection, too! I’ve been meaning to try their plain Assam. I enjoyed the vanilla, so I’m sure it’s good on its own…
Hi, Tabby. :) If someone enjoys flavored teas, I think the plain Assam might have enough richness and body that it wouldn’t taste too plain. I don’t drink flavored teas, so can’t say much more.
I bought more of the Assam recently, and it is just as nice as the first few “batches” I bought.