Mangalam FTGFOP Assam (Full-Leaf) 2011

I ordered a sample of this and several other H&S teas-I appreciate that they offer sample sizes. As expected, this Single Estate Assam has dark leaves and many golden tips. To me, it is mild, but not without flavor. Sweet, smooth, and easy to drink with the characteristic malty notes of a good Assam. The H&S description says it is strong-I wouldn’t describe it that way. I used 2 gm at boiling, for 4 1/2 minutes and got a second steeping. Worth trying if you like Assams. The reason I didn’t rate it yet is not because I didn’t like it, but I’d like to try it a few more times first. It seems the more teas I try, the harder it is to put a number on it!

Strong. Toasty—not in a warm bread way, but in almost burnt way. Toast done over a campfire. Toast with a dark top and that sound of a butter knife scraping across the top. The first steep was very intense. The second steep seemed only half as strong. I didn’t try a third steep.