India Assam Prithvi Small-Holder Black Tea

I prepared this tea western style (according to package directions) and it just didn’t do it for me – not bad, but nothing really stood out. So I used the rest of the sample for cold brew and really enjoyed it.

Cold brew (6g/600ml):
Though this brewed up light and the flavors are subtle, they are sneakily complex! The aroma is sweet, malty, with notes of bitter caramel and maybe even some coffee. Taste is smooth and sweet with some very light floral notes making a nice counterpoint to the malty, caramel flavors. I think I’m even getting a little muscatel note in the aroma and flavor, too, which I didn’t pick up at all in the hot preparation. There’s an earthy note in the aftertaste that I can’t quite pin down – again, it’s light and sweet, but adding interest. Made a lovely, refreshing iced tea.

I am a brisk, strong, larged flavored black tea lover. I was won over by the reviews of no astringency. This tea is that, my friend. It has the biggest leaf cut of any Assam I have ever had. I think that might be why there’s no puckering.

I bought a sample, and have drank the whole sample within 2 hours (I am also studying for finals, I need my fuel). This tea is yum.

This isn’t your typical Assam at all. I almost thought it was more similar to some of the Ceylons I’ve had. Still strong in flavor, and 2 tsp is needed per cup. I would purchase this again. I really think Assam tea companies need to follow suit, and not cut up the leaf so much. This was a really pleasant cup.

This was one of a couple of samples I finished before leaving for a campus visit in Georgia. I didn’t have time to submit a review before I left, so I wrote fairly detailed notes about the session I conducted with it and planned to review it after I returned. I got back earlier this afternoon, and naturally, I am now submitting a review. Overall, I found this to be a nice Assam with enough complexity to satisfy and an intriguing fruitiness.

I went with a single Western-style infusion for this tea. I steeped approximately 3-4 grams of loose tea leaves in about 8 ounces of 203 F water for 5 minutes. I did not attempt any additional infusions.

Prior to infusion, the dry tea leaves emitted malty aromas with hints of fig and prune. After infusion, I detected stronger aromas of malt, fig, and prune accompanied by emerging scents of caramel, brown toast, cream, molasses, leather, honey, raisin, spice, and roasted chestnut. I could also catch fleeting impressions of orange and chocolate in the background. In the mouth, I detected a nicely balanced mix of malt, cream, brown toast, fig, leather, prune, raisin, honey, caramel, chocolate, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, and roasted chestnut flavors. The finish was smooth, creamy, and malty, offering lingering notes of fig, prune, brown toast, caramel, and molasses underscored by a subtle hint of camphor that I did not catch earlier.

As far as Assams go, this one was commendable for its nice texture and balance in the mouth, intriguing bouquet, and complexity. I do not often get fig or dried fruit notes from traditional Indian Assams, so that was a nice touch that set this tea apart from many others of its type. I would recommend this tea highly to those looking for a reliable Assam with plenty of flavor.

This was a sample and I let it sit for awhile.
I wasn’t in a rush as brick and mortar store bought Assam was disappointing and finally used up by making chai.
I opened the packet and was pleased to see real leaves, not bits.

Sometimes I like a big cup of tea rather than gongfu so for that I may use a Chinese mug with a porcelain filter basket or a Japanese Kyusu.

This tea is perfect for that, nice and malty with a hint of fig. I can use the same leaves for several steeps before returning to my little pots and gaiwans for the rest of the day.
I plan to try more What-Cha teas from India, among other countries.