Assam tea
Posted on October 07, 2014
| 0 comments
Assam Tea in brief
Assam is a black tea named after the region of its production, Assam, in India. Assam is located in northeast India and lying on either side of the Brahmaputra River, and bordering Bangladesh and Burma(Myanmar). Assam tea is manufactured specifically from the plant Camellia sinensis var. assamica. There are two major varieties used for tea, Chinese tea, Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, and Assam tea, Camellia sinensis var. assamica. The Assam tea bush grows in a lowland region, in the valley of the Brahmaputra River, an area of clay soil rich in nutrients of the floodplain. The climate varies between a cool, arid winter and a hot, humid rainy season—conditions ideal for it. Because of its lengthy growing season and generous rainfall, Assam is one of the most prolific tea-producing regions in the world. Assam is the world’s single largest tea-growing region, producing more than 1,500,000 pounds of tea annually. This tropical climate contributes to Assam's unique malty taste, a feature for which this tea is well known.
Assam tea is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. The leaves of the Assam tea bush are dark green and glossy and fairly wide compared to those of the Chinese tea plant.
Assam, as with Darjeeling, has a first flush and a second flush. The first flush is picked during late March. The second flush, harvested later. The first flush has a rich and fresh aroma; the second flush produces the famous "tippy teas” named thus for the gold tips that appear on the leaves.This second flush, tippy tea, is sweeter and more full-bodied and is generally considered superior to the first flush tea The amount of tip will vary dependent upon where in Assam the estate from which the tea comes is located. Additionally, not all tea estates have the ability or capacity to produce "tippy teas."
The golden tip present in Assam tea tends to lessen the astringent characteristic of the tea and make it sweet and smooth. Therefore, Assam tea can be malty, sweet AND smooth, which are qualities enjoyed by all tea drinkers. Assam tea is a particular favorite for use in breakfast teas. English Breakfast tea and Irish Breakfast tea are both types of teas that are often partially or completely composed of Assam tea leaves.
Like some other black teas, many enjoy Assam as an alternative to coffee, citing its "bold", direct, malty flavors as just the kick of intensity they prefer.
Assam is a black tea named after the region of its production, Assam, in India. Assam is located in northeast India and lying on either side of the Brahmaputra River, and bordering Bangladesh and Burma(Myanmar). Assam tea is manufactured specifically from the plant Camellia sinensis var. assamica. There are two major varieties used for tea, Chinese tea, Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, and Assam tea, Camellia sinensis var. assamica. The Assam tea bush grows in a lowland region, in the valley of the Brahmaputra River, an area of clay soil rich in nutrients of the floodplain. The climate varies between a cool, arid winter and a hot, humid rainy season—conditions ideal for it. Because of its lengthy growing season and generous rainfall, Assam is one of the most prolific tea-producing regions in the world. Assam is the world’s single largest tea-growing region, producing more than 1,500,000 pounds of tea annually. This tropical climate contributes to Assam's unique malty taste, a feature for which this tea is well known.
Assam tea is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. The leaves of the Assam tea bush are dark green and glossy and fairly wide compared to those of the Chinese tea plant.
Assam, as with Darjeeling, has a first flush and a second flush. The first flush is picked during late March. The second flush, harvested later. The first flush has a rich and fresh aroma; the second flush produces the famous "tippy teas” named thus for the gold tips that appear on the leaves.This second flush, tippy tea, is sweeter and more full-bodied and is generally considered superior to the first flush tea The amount of tip will vary dependent upon where in Assam the estate from which the tea comes is located. Additionally, not all tea estates have the ability or capacity to produce "tippy teas."
The golden tip present in Assam tea tends to lessen the astringent characteristic of the tea and make it sweet and smooth. Therefore, Assam tea can be malty, sweet AND smooth, which are qualities enjoyed by all tea drinkers. Assam tea is a particular favorite for use in breakfast teas. English Breakfast tea and Irish Breakfast tea are both types of teas that are often partially or completely composed of Assam tea leaves.
Like some other black teas, many enjoy Assam as an alternative to coffee, citing its "bold", direct, malty flavors as just the kick of intensity they prefer.
Comments