This seems to be a staff favorite in the morning, but I can’t entirely blame them!
The wet leaves are sweet and toasty, almost like morning toast spread with a dark honey. Sipping the tea, we appreciate the signature brisk, mellow toasted flavor akin to a light molasses.
This Assam is a second flush, which is arguably the best time for Assams to be harvested. The Mangalam tea estate is named after Kumar Mangalam Birla, once the son of the estate’s owners and now one of its managers. The estate is owned by Jayshree Tea & Industries, a large company that incorporated in 1945. Jayshree is heralded in the Orthodox world for its special clones that produce a big golden leaf tip, which no one is able to replicate, making Jayshree Assams easily identifiable.
Thanks for the excellent background on this fantastic tea, which has been one of my favorites for over a decade. It is a truly beautiful, high-powered and satisfying tea (especially when fresh).