Mangalam Full-Leaf

This is a sample sent by Russel Allyn and Harney and Sons.

It was a beautiful morning, a miracle around here really because here it is getting on toward late June and it isn’t muggy and hot already at 8 a.m. There is a nice breeze in the mornings and evenings, too. So I had breakfast on a quilt spread under the pecan tree – an Everything Bagel with schmeer and my tea tray.

I noticed that Michael Harney says he drinks this for breakfast most mornings. I can see why. Though this cup has some heft, it isn’t aggressive, and believe me some of my first Assams were not very good quality and with the least bit of age became downright hostile! But this one was smooth enough….prepare yourself….for me to drink WITHOUT MILK OR SUGAR! There are not a lot of Assams I have tried that get that distinction.

And even though it was very smooth, throughout breakfast I found myself thinking that a coffee drinker would easily be able to switch to this and not feel like they are missing anything. Also, it held up flavor wise to an Everything bagel, and that is saying something! This is a nice, somewhat malty morning cup, and I think Assam fans would enjoy it very much!

Thank you, Russel Allyn and Harney and Sons for another great tea sample!

I’m zipping a long through my Harney tea samples, having finished my first cup of Panyang Congou, a black tea blend from the Fujian province-a delicious tea that I would re-order. Now, I’m on to a completely different black, from the Mangalam Tea Plantation in the middle of Assam in India. It is labeled Or. 644 2011. This has a lot of golden tips and the dry leaf has an appealing aroma. It is brisk in a good way, and has a more mellow honeyed flavor than some other Assams I’ve had, along with the maltiness you would expect. It does not require milk and has no bitterness whatsoever. It is still strong enough to make a good morning cup. So far, I’ve been pleased with my Harney selections. They have free shipping ending tonight. Hmmm.

The first time that I tried this sample was for my first cup of tea in the morning. I’ve drank it a few different ways: with milk and sugar, without milk and some sugar and without milk and sugar(that time I ran out of sugar that day).

I brewed the Mangalam to 208 degrees Fahrenheit. I steeped the tea for about 4 minutes. I added approximately one and half to two teaspoons of loose tea.

What I experienced was a smooth yet brisk flavor. It has complex flavors to it; from having a bit of honey to being reminiscent of the experiences that I used to have when I was a coffee drinker( the nice dark and richness in taste).
The liquor was a caramel color(when I drank it with milk) to a deep brownish-red color. The aroma was a mix of fragrance,which included light honey.The body this tea was a medium, fullness.
This in my opinion has the possibility of being an alternate of my much loved English Breakfast blend in the mornings.

Russel from Harney & Sons sent me this tea sample.Thank you once again. :)

This is plainly a very satisfying first cup of tea. It is extremely smooth with a subtle but declarative scent and a medium-full body taste in the mouth. While I prefer the Nahorhabi 2010, this is a very solid Assam. I have shared this with many coworkers, some of whom drink tea and others who are coffee drinkers, and they all enjoyed it. I suspect this tea will be enjoyed by many, not as an absolute favorite but certainly a reliable cup.

I used to drink Chinese Blacks every morning, but lately all I want is a good Assam with my breakfast, whether it’s cereal or chicken parm. ^_

Excellent, excellent Assam. Bit dark, and complex, but you won’t have finer.

The way i start most mornings

This tea is perfect at 4 minutes and 208F water. Nice and malty, with a slight notes of honey intermixed.