ChrisG said

Black tea similar to Assam?

I love Assam teas – the full body and full flavor is perfect in the morning with some milk and sugar. Problem is that I probably consume too much assam and I’d like to switch it up every once and a while.

I’ve been trying to find a substitute for this tea in the morning to no avail and was wondering if anyone has ideas? I need cut back a little bit my consumption of Assams b/c I have a history of kidney stones and this tea has been known to contribute (the jury is still out on this one). I do know that I was drinking a ton of Assam around the time I got my first one but I was also eating alot of shellfish so who knows.

I’ve tried Keemun, Orange Pekoe, Pu-erh and some others.

any ideas?

14 Replies

Culinary Teas said

There are some pretty decent Kenyan teas that are similar in style to assams but I am afraid that your consumption of any tea in large quantities will leave you prone to kidney stones.

ChrisG said

Thanks – it seems that there really isn’t a ton of solid evidence in this, so I’m a bit skeptical. I mean wouldn’t there be a huge problem in Eastern cultures with kidney stones & consumption of tea?

Bonnie said

Yo, I had 2 kidney stones in 6 months when I wasn’t a tea drinker! Stress caused the stones! So, I’ll drink tea and so far so good. No stress. I’d rather the stones than give up tea. I was cautioned on overdoing the kale and spinach more than anything else. (Big veggie eater!)

Culinary Teas said

From what I have been told it is kind of a perfect storm thing. You just happen to add lots of ice cream or other irritating foods along with your tea. Tea alone won’t do it. In the East they have a very low consumption of dairy. The dairy combined with tea is suppose to increase your chances. So just don’t ice cream binge to much.. lol

ChrisG said

Thanks.

Tea Guy Speaks said

I’m a big fan of Assam and I’ve found some of the Yunnan/Dian Hong to be similar. I drink a lot of black tea but have yet to be plagued with kidney stones. Knocking wood…

gmathis said

Good quality Ceylons are similar in “heft.”

Chef8489 said

Just wanted to say orange pekoe is a grade of tea not a type. If you get a chance watch the good eats episode tru brew 2. Its all about tea and a great education.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_pekoe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrqBe9sWHsk

James R said

That episode is great! Thanks for sharing, Alton Brown is amazing!

LiberTEAS select said

A good Nilgiri is a nice substitution for Assam.

OH… and yep… Chef8489 is correct.

ChrisG said

Chef8489 – ok I’ll check it, thanks.

Indigobloom said

Asides from the Kenyan already mentioned above, I find Ponmudi tea to be quite similar. Very malty, in a good way. Here is where I got mine:
http://www.theteahaus.com/p-2412-organic-ponmudi.aspx

Bonnie said

I like Black tea’s from Nepal. Fruity and yammy and delicious. Some of the best I’ve tasted although…I have my top 5 black tea’s that tend to be chocolaty.

ChrisG said

Thanks for the suggestion for Kenyan teas – picked up some from Upton and they are perfect – a little malty with a touch of chocolate – great for morning cup.

Black tea similar to Assam?

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