I’ve always thought Assam teas were most appropriate for mornings and nights but no in between. It seems to energize yet relax and offers such rich, dark flavours that make you wanting more. Well that is usually what I find with Assam anyway, I always make sure to keep some in stock. That is why I was excited to receive this sample..unfortunately I have forgotten who sent this to me so I apologize. :(
This is a nice looking Assam with plenty of golden tips. Once aired the tea has a malted and dark fruited scent similar to currants.
First Steep – 1 minute
The colour is golden red brown and it has a sweet malted aroma with undertones of currants and fermented fig. Flavour is sweet, fruity, malty, smooth and rich. It’s soft like velvet but with so much sweetness and such wonderful malted tones and a touch of smoke. For a 1 minute steep it’s stronger than I had expected but also light and quite delicate in it’s full bodied flavours. Also has a leather like charm in the after taste.
Second Steep – 2 minutes
A much more delicate steep than the first. This has more fermented fruit tones and is a little sweeter. Also the malt is super silky smooth now. Still very rich but honestly this is my preferred steep so far.
Third Steep – 3 minutes
This has toned down substantially and all that is left is a sweet, malted scent with a slight after taste of currants. It’s still smooth and offers no bitterness or impurities.
Overall – It’s a beautiful tea and it offers everything an Assam should. This is the type that I would consider buying more of.
Preparation
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Excellent review of an excellent tea! You wrote:
“Overall – It’s a beautiful tea and it offers everything an Assam should.”
If this tea meets all your expectations of an Assam, why did you only rate it as an 83?
It met my expectations for an Assam but it was by no means the best I have tried. Compared to a few others of a similar quality it lacked a few characteristics and was much lighter in strength than I thought it would be. It’s not necessarily a fault in the tea but for me personally it was lacking a few things and I did not think I should increase the rating.
I truly enjoyed this Assam: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/164482#.
1. Did you use: 1 heaping tsp./ 6 oz./ 203*F / 3 min.?
2. What’s your favorite unflavored orthodox black tea?
Thanks!
1. I used 6g or 7g in an 8oz Gongfu teapot. As stated in the instructions I did a 1 minute steep, then a 2 minute steep and finally a 3 minute steep. Temperature was boiling. That’s the way I drink my Assam as standard.
2. I don’t really have a favourite tea as such but I do have unflavoured black teas that I love. Darjeeling is one of my favourites with Turzum SFTGFOP1 Himalayan Mystic (DJ-32)
Black Tea by Thunderbolt Tea being a particular favourite which had a rating of 100. Or Golden Needles from Tea Palace which was also rating 100. Then third is Xing Ren Dan Cong (Almond) Canton Tea Co which received a rating of 92.
Everyone has different tastes and Assam is not one of my favourite black teas in general.
Favourite unflavoured Keemun is quite difficult as I usually tend to buy it with rose petals. Just a personal taste thing.
“and was much lighter in strength than I thought it would be.”
1. I know Gong Fu uses more leaf. But a heaping tsp. is approx. 4.8g (depending on the tea) and I wonder if you’d find it stronger if you tried western brewing – 1 heaping tsp./ 6 oz./ 203*F / 3 min. as the first steep is 6 oz. for 3 minutes.
By the time one uses 3 min with Gung Fu brewing, you’re already on the third infusion.
2. Thanks for sharing the black teas you love, I’ll have to check them out.
I lied yesterday without meaning to. I do have a favourite unflavoured Keemun…unfortunately I am way from home for a week and it slipped my mind. http://steepster.com/teas/teavivre/21803-premium-keemun-hao-ya-black-tea which is one that I believe you have already tried. Also just tried this Keemun which is very nice. http://steepster.com/teas/tea-horse/39744-keemun-orchid
Also I don’t have any of this Assam left but if I ever do get any more then I shall try brewing it in the Western way.
It’s easy to not remember a particular tea especially if you have a big stash and/or are away from home. (As you approach 50+ you may find that it happens more often. Hopefully, the anti-oxidants in tea will help you maintain an excellent memory. :-))
I think it’s great that you’re open to other brewing techniques. Hopefully, your openness will reward you with many more enjoyable tea experiences to come.
Yes, I’ve enjoyed TeaVivre Premium Keemun Hao Ya so much, that I purchased a Kilogram of it during their recent Anniversary sale. Thanks for suggesting Tea Horse Keemun Orchid. I’ll check it out.
Excellent review of an excellent tea! You wrote:
“Overall – It’s a beautiful tea and it offers everything an Assam should.”
If this tea meets all your expectations of an Assam, why did you only rate it as an 83?
It met my expectations for an Assam but it was by no means the best I have tried. Compared to a few others of a similar quality it lacked a few characteristics and was much lighter in strength than I thought it would be. It’s not necessarily a fault in the tea but for me personally it was lacking a few things and I did not think I should increase the rating.
I truly enjoyed this Assam: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/164482#.
1. Did you use: 1 heaping tsp./ 6 oz./ 203*F / 3 min.?
2. What’s your favorite unflavored orthodox black tea?
Thanks!
1. I used 6g or 7g in an 8oz Gongfu teapot. As stated in the instructions I did a 1 minute steep, then a 2 minute steep and finally a 3 minute steep. Temperature was boiling. That’s the way I drink my Assam as standard.
2. I don’t really have a favourite tea as such but I do have unflavoured black teas that I love. Darjeeling is one of my favourites with Turzum SFTGFOP1 Himalayan Mystic (DJ-32)
Black Tea by Thunderbolt Tea being a particular favourite which had a rating of 100. Or Golden Needles from Tea Palace which was also rating 100. Then third is Xing Ren Dan Cong (Almond) Canton Tea Co which received a rating of 92.
Everyone has different tastes and Assam is not one of my favourite black teas in general.
Favourite unflavoured Keemun is quite difficult as I usually tend to buy it with rose petals. Just a personal taste thing.
“and was much lighter in strength than I thought it would be.”
1. I know Gong Fu uses more leaf. But a heaping tsp. is approx. 4.8g (depending on the tea) and I wonder if you’d find it stronger if you tried western brewing – 1 heaping tsp./ 6 oz./ 203*F / 3 min. as the first steep is 6 oz. for 3 minutes.
By the time one uses 3 min with Gung Fu brewing, you’re already on the third infusion.
2. Thanks for sharing the black teas you love, I’ll have to check them out.
I lied yesterday without meaning to. I do have a favourite unflavoured Keemun…unfortunately I am way from home for a week and it slipped my mind. http://steepster.com/teas/teavivre/21803-premium-keemun-hao-ya-black-tea which is one that I believe you have already tried. Also just tried this Keemun which is very nice. http://steepster.com/teas/tea-horse/39744-keemun-orchid
Also I don’t have any of this Assam left but if I ever do get any more then I shall try brewing it in the Western way.
It’s easy to not remember a particular tea especially if you have a big stash and/or are away from home. (As you approach 50+ you may find that it happens more often. Hopefully, the anti-oxidants in tea will help you maintain an excellent memory. :-))
I think it’s great that you’re open to other brewing techniques. Hopefully, your openness will reward you with many more enjoyable tea experiences to come.
Yes, I’ve enjoyed TeaVivre Premium Keemun Hao Ya so much, that I purchased a Kilogram of it during their recent Anniversary sale. Thanks for suggesting Tea Horse Keemun Orchid. I’ll check it out.