Satisphur Chunky Assam

Another chilly morning here… somehow I really wanted to try this assam today!

This was steeped for 4 minutes via regular teapot method. The dry leaves are slightly broken up and fine (although not as fine as a CTC assam). The leaves after steeping smell malty and slightly biscuity.

Often times I will take an assam with soymilk but I wanted to try this plain to see what it was like. The tea liquor is a reddish brown and is very full bodied. The tea itself is brisk and slightly pungent but without a lot of astringency in the finish. I fear I may have oversteeped it a tad but I like it all the same. It’s not difficult for me to sip on plain, but when I added some soymilk to it, it helped cut the briskness a bit. I am picking up on the honey notes a bit.

I generally prefer an assam that is a bit mellower and smoother than this one, but I have enjoyed trying it. Probably not going to go on my list of things to re-order though. :)

Simply delightful and closer than they suggest to the Satisphur Broken Assam. This is a bold tea with a slightly more astringent flavor than the Nahorhabi 2010, so I suggest to go a minute shorter on steeping, around 3.5 minutes at boiling. Excellent honey flavor, full body – when I want a cup of TEA (capitals intended) I reach for either this or the Nahorhabi. Great for afternoon motivation. Requires not a drop of milk or honey, though if that is your bent I’d suggest simply honey to make a sincerely round cup. This tea is more complex and sweeter smelling than many other Assams, including Mangalam varieties, which I find somewhat weak (though I very much enjoy the Mangalams with honey). There is a subtle aftertaste, but nothing like a Keemun. This one will have you licking your lips down to the last sip.