Assam Banaspaty Organic FTGFOP1

Another TeaFrog sample, since I’m on an Assam kick this morning.

Fascinating. In the sample packet, the tea smells fruity! Like cherry or some kind of berry flavor. Not quite as tippy looking as the Teavana or the Teas Etc., but still quite pretty.

The steeped aroma has a hint of fruit too, which was unexpected, but nice. It’s got a smooth, slightly sweet character. I’m now more convinced than ever that the Teavana Assam Gold Rain’s bakiness was an aberration in flavor. It must have been the batch I had.

It brews a little darker than the Teas Etc. Assam Reserve, and leans more toward medium bodied. It’s not particularly sweet, and I don’t get maltiness (as I think of maltiness), but there’s something very nice about it. It’s just a good solid black tea, without anything at all offensive about it, but without much to distinguish it either.

Really looking forward to this one, to see what distinctive notes I could find in this Assam variety.

First thing, I’m learning a lesson here: I will no longer store anything next to previously opened (even if zip-locked shut) bags of tea flavored with coconut. The scent is too strong and recognizable to me, and it clouds my ability to tell what else might be in there.

So, I’m relying on the steeped scent of the tea (slightly fruity) rather than the dry leaf. The liquor is dark, clear brown, even after barely three minutes. In fact given the depth of the color, I’m surprised by how mild the flavor is. There’s a good mouth feel, a little bit of astringency, and a pronounced peppery note that I like, woven into some more subtle dry fruit flavors, somewhat akin to Darjeeling. I like it, but I think I’ll try steeping it a bit longer next time and see what else appears.

Reviewing in more detail for itsallabouttheleaf.com, and will update when it’s posted. Mild and genteel and pleasant.

Very good, smooth and a little malty and yes, fruity. Tasty plain, but strong enough with milk. I can’t think of a better Assam offhand – this is more interesting than Mighty Leaf’s EB, though they’re similar in drinkability. This is sweeter and less harsh than TeaFrog’s other Assam, I’d say. Still, doesn’t really compare to a good chinese black or blend for me.

Wow, this is really nice. A very pleasant black tea. Despite the description, I don’t think it tastes particularly strong (and I even brewed it longer than I meant to). Nice golden/orangeish colour, almost no scent that I can detect, and a very smooth taste. I will definitely buy more when this sample runs out!

Wow this is really nice. Malty, but when you add milk it really reminds me of chocolate and I’ve never had a plain black that has done that before.
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