I know Stacy gives very careful consideration to determining her brewing recommendations for each tea. Thus, I brewed this single-serving Assam tea sample exactly per her directions on the sample bag: 2 tsps. / 8 oz. / 212*F / 4-min. It did not even occur to me to consider a longer steep time at this time. No sweeteners, milk or cream were used.

Dry leaf: The longest length dark brown leaves I’ve ever seen. I had to use an extra-large infuser to accommodate them.

Liquor: Bright clear & coppery – Beautiful!

Aroma: Subtle and very pleasing

4-Min.: This tea was a extremely smooth, light-to-medium bodied, mildly malty Assam that provided a rich yet delicate full mouth feel that lingered long on the tongue. Truly a very special Assam! There was zero bitterness or astringency.

Impression: An Assam with an extremely refined character!

I would definitely welcome another sample of this Assam to try a longer steep time as I typically prefer robust Assam teas. However, this exceptional Assam might change my mind.

Thanks to Stacy at Butiki Teas for providing this free tea sample.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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My wife and I enjoy shou that:
- is Full-bodied, thick, rich, creamy smooth
- produces a full-mouth feeling with a long pleasing finish
- w/o obvious acidity, astringency, or bitterness
- Retains this profile & is complex enough to enjoy for multiple steeps

Notes of interest:
- natural rich chocolate (as opposed to too bittersweet cocoa)
- honey, caramel, stone fruits, sweet potato, barley, fresh baked bread

Notes not of interest: Floral, vegetal, woody.

Cost-effective organic teas or teas that meet the EU Food Safety Commission Pesticide Maximum Residue Limit EUROFINS are greatly appreciated. Many people drink tea for the anti-oxidant health benefits. So why would health conscious tea lovers drink tea that contains pesticide residues?

Complete steeping instructions on the bag are greatly appreciated:
tsp. (g) / oz. / temp. / rinse? / min. for both Western & Gongfu brewing.

Our recent orders have been from: Yunnan Sourcing, King Tea Mall, Whispering Pines, & Arbor Teas. Kudos to them as they have all been extremely helpful.

Our cupboard doesn’t include the many greatly appreciated samples generously provided by Steepsters’s favorite tea suppliers and by several very kind Steepster members.

Current Gogng Fu Brewing Method:
20g / 6 oz / 205° / 60s preheat / 60s warm leaves / 5s rinse / 5 min rest / 5s / 5 / 7 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 /30 / 45 / 60. Every two steeps combined in a sharing pitcher.

High quality water is essential for excellent tasting tea.
Our 450’ well provides hard water. For details see: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/176233#comments.

Solutions:
#1. Rainsoft water softener with
Q2 computerized control valve

#2. Abundant Flow Water
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System with an Impact Alkaline re-mineralization filter
Model: Zeta RO: https://www.afwfilters.com/drinking-ro-systems/6-stage-alkaline-zoi-zeta-reverse-osmosis-system-16.html
Includes:
- Dow Filmtec TFC R.O. membrane
- Omnipure Inline Post filter
- Impact Alkaline Filter
All filters made in USA & NSF-Certified.
-———————————
Options:
- Aquatec ERP-500 & ASV 2000
- 3/8" Output
- HM Digital DM-2 TDS meter

My profile picture is a Red-Breasted Nuthatch, a winter visitor to our woodpecker feeder.

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Mid-Atlantic, USA

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