I picked up this sample tea to try with my latest Upton order. The description of it sounded nice and relatively mild for an Assam. It was steeped for 4 minutes this morning in a glass teapot.
The tea liquor is a very dark orangish-brown. I was worried a bit that I had steeped this for too long, but it is very good. A strong cup to be sure; dark, sweet, traces of honey, a smattering of cocoa, and a tiny bit of pungency at the end. I’m not sure I am getting red apple but there is a natural fruitiness of some kind here. Not much bitterness or briskness to be found in the cup at all. You can drink this plain, but it also accommodates a splash of soymilk very well. Does not need sugar at all, in my opinion.
A very smooth and gentle Assam, and a great selection by Upton. Sometimes Assams can be too assertive and rough, especially for people with sensitive tummies. In my experience, finding a milder one is the key to success and since Upton has so many Assams, there is certainly one for everyone. I will certainly consider buying a full size of this and the price is certainly right: 125g for $7.80 at the time I am writing this.
On the [ever expanding] shopping list it goes!
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I might have to add this to the growing Upton order.
The sample is only $1.50. :)
Awesome!
I think I should add this to my latest order. The I’m coffee-free order….
Charles – you should at least get the sample. :)
I was wondering if anyone makes a fuss over the arrival of 2nd Flush Assams, since it seems to be the preferred flush.
@ScottB not that I know of…
Sounds nice. I just finished my stash of Goomtee estate Assam from Upton which was also mild and very tasty.
I can only speak for myself, and I do not make a huge fuss over Assam flushes Scott B, at least not like Darjeeling teas. :))
Amy, thanks for listing the price. Upton’s has so many Assams I tend to overlook some of them. Now with a good review and a decent price, I may give this one a chance.
@ScottTea – I picked this based on their description, they do a great job describing their teas without all the pretentious bullshit.
I agree completely.
Or pseudo poetry….
It’s funny; I have all these great Chinese black teas but I find myself opening my cupboard and going for the Assams and Ceylons lately. I guess sometimes it’s comforting to have a nice “traditional” cup of black tea.
Doug – I agree. I like Chinese black teas but also like a good Ceylon or an Assam, especially in the morning as a breakfast tea. :)
I might have to add this to the growing Upton order.
The sample is only $1.50. :)
Awesome!
I think I should add this to my latest order. The I’m coffee-free order….
Charles – you should at least get the sample. :)
I was wondering if anyone makes a fuss over the arrival of 2nd Flush Assams, since it seems to be the preferred flush.
@ScottB not that I know of…
Sounds nice. I just finished my stash of Goomtee estate Assam from Upton which was also mild and very tasty.
I can only speak for myself, and I do not make a huge fuss over Assam flushes Scott B, at least not like Darjeeling teas. :))
Amy, thanks for listing the price. Upton’s has so many Assams I tend to overlook some of them. Now with a good review and a decent price, I may give this one a chance.
@ScottTea – I picked this based on their description, they do a great job describing their teas without all the pretentious bullshit.
I agree completely.
Or pseudo poetry….
It’s funny; I have all these great Chinese black teas but I find myself opening my cupboard and going for the Assams and Ceylons lately. I guess sometimes it’s comforting to have a nice “traditional” cup of black tea.
Doug – I agree. I like Chinese black teas but also like a good Ceylon or an Assam, especially in the morning as a breakfast tea. :)