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Except for Margaret’s Hope second flush Darjeeling , Chamraj Estate Nilgiri and Kenilworth Ceylon, I have long considered myself a dyed in the wool drinker of Chinese tea. I had relegated Assam teas to use for medicinal purposes. You know, like when you’ve only had a couple of hours sleep and need a good jolt of caffeine to re establish your vital signs.

My new found curiosity for Assam tea was awakened recently after reading an article online about the central role of Assam in East Frisian tea culture. So, brimming with anticipation, I trotted myself over to Carytown Teas, a true jewel in the crown of Richmond’s tea scene, and purchased their Organic Assam. And today – Holy low barometric pressure, Batman! What a day to reacquaint myself with this tea. Lots of storms – heavy rain, wind, roaring thunder and lightning. Ideal weather for a brilliant Assam such as this! I’d almost swear that the stormy North Sea was right around the corner from my house today!

This tea is rich. Malty, of course, along with smooth caramel notes and pastry. Quite a bit of yummy pastry actually. There was a mild fruitiness in the aroma and flavor that for the world reminded me of cherry Danish. There was some very mild bitterness, but it actually complimented the unexpected fruitiness of this tea. With the addition of milk and a little sugar, I believe that I had a perfect Assam experience. Oh, and it definitely obliterated my fatigue!

Now, my next project is to attempt to drink it in true East Frisian fashion, or at least as close as this Virginia boy can reproduce it, by blending it with a little bit of Darjeeling and/or Ceylon. I’ll need some rock sugar candy and some heavy cream too. That’s for another day though, but I do believe that this beautiful Assam will be perfect for it.

Bottom line – Carytown Tea’s Organic Assam is a beautiful, richly flavored and sturdy Assam that is a joy to drink!

Now, another cup to enjoy the stormy day.

Flavors: Caramel, Malt, Pastries, Stonefruit

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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Bio

“Anyone who has used that comforting phrase ‘a nice cup of tea’ invariably means Indian tea.”
- George Orwell

Darjeeling is the tea that inspired me to begin my beautiful journey through the wide world of tea and will always reign supreme in my tea pantry! My first tea love, so to speak. I positively adore a truly great Darjeeling such as a good muscatel second flush. Autumn flush Darjeeling, I believe, has been greatly under appreciated. Darjeeling autumn flush Gopaldhara Red Thunder Gold that I purchased through What-Cha is the best tea of any kind I have ever had the pleasure of drinking! I am most definitely a Darjeeling dude!

Other than my much beloved Darjeeling, teas that I especially enjoy are fine estate Assam teas such as Assam Dikom Estate or fine Ceylon estate teas – low, mid and high grown. I have a great love for Earl Grey which is my main go to tea. Other favorites are rose, vanilla, almond, caramel, spice and stout English Breakfast teas.

I have a fondness for most herbal teas – A complete rooibos fanatic! I’m very fond of camomile too. However, I absolutely detest hibiscus!

Blacks and herbals are my main go to teas. I have become quite British in my tea habits – My favorite guilty tea pleasure is Darjeeling with milk and honey as King Charles III takes his.

I try to purchase organic tea whenever possible.

Location

Richmond, Virginia, USA

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