From the heart of India, Assam black tea is bolder and more full-bodied than Darjeeling. Its distinctive flavour and fair-trade credentials have made it a cornerstone of Indian tea production. It pairs beautifully with spices and milk for a strong, warming start to the day. Available loose-leaf or in tea bags, it has won fans the world over. A closer look at this morning classic.
- Discovering Assam Sewpur black tea
- Brewing organic Assam black tea
- Tasting organic Assam Sewpur black tea
- Choosing your Assam Sewpur black tea
Discovering Assam Sewpur Black Tea
On the plains of northeastern India, in the shadow of the Himalayas, organic Assam black tea is grown in the region that shares its name. Unlike other Indian teas such as Darjeeling or Nilgiri, which thrive at altitude, Assam is cultivated at lowland elevation. The tea plant that yields Assam's distinctive leaves is a close relative of the green and white tea varieties grown in China. Assam Sewpur tea comes from quality farming practices, and all these black teas are certified organic.
Assam black tea is harvested every season, which determines its flush. The first flush comes from the spring harvest; the second from summer. This second flush is traditionally used for "tippy" teas, which tend to be slightly more full-bodied.
Much like Sencha in Japan, organic Assam Sewpur black tea holds an iconic status in India. Its popularity comes from a flavour that is hard to replicate: lightly nutmeg-tinged, with a woody finish. Often described as robust and full-bodied, it makes an ideal morning tea, and is widely known as a breakfast tea.
Brewing Organic Assam Black Tea
From a professional perspective, loose-leaf Assam black tea delivers more flavour than its tea bag counterpart. A few pointers for a truly satisfying cup:
- Choose loose-leaf (sourced from India) or tea bags from a dedicated tin;
- Use water at 95°C (203°F);
- Steep for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on your taste;
- Use 10 grams of tea per litre of water.
With tea bags or broken-leaf tea, a slightly shorter steeping time is recommended, as the leaf infuses more quickly. Whole-leaf Assam Sewpur can be re-steeped up to three times. Simply extend the steeping time with each subsequent infusion.
Tasting Organic Assam Sewpur Black Tea
In India, organic black tea is enjoyed plain or with a splash of milk. With Assam Sewpur tea, milk softens the bold, rich aroma beautifully. A touch of honey can take the edge off any bitterness, and a spice like cinnamon works equally well to mellow the brew.
Assam black tea is wonderful hot or cold. Served chilled, it takes on a refreshing quality that makes it surprisingly versatile. Although its caffeine content makes it a natural choice at breakfast, there is no reason to stop there: a cup in the afternoon is just as welcome.
Choosing Your Assam Sewpur Black Tea
Not all black teas are created equal. Assam follows its own strict standards, and quality makes all the difference between a good cup and a great one. A few things to keep in mind when choosing:
- Your black tea should carry a fair-trade certification.
- The tea must come from the Assam region of India.
- Always opt for a specialist retailer over an unknown source.
- Whole leaves will always give you more flavour than powdered tea in a bag.