BLACK TEA - INDIA and BEYOND
Assam Halmari Gold TGFOP1 - 2 oz
The Halmari Estate is thought to produce some of the finest - and most expensive - teas in Assam. Certainly, it's tea is known for its lavish blending of golden tips, producing a luxury teas. Halmari Gold is comprised of rolled clonal orthodox leaves blended with a generous amount of golden tips. The deep amber tea soup is thick and velvety, with notes of malt, sweet almond, chocolate, honey and hint of cherry. This is a stand alone drinker, but as with most Assam blacks, takes well to a dash of milk. Brew 1 t per cup with boiling water for 4-7 minutes.
Moran District, Dinbrugarh, Assam
Assam Mangalam FTGFOP1 Special - 2 oz
Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe Special. Brew at 212F.
Assam Kanoka King of Assam TGFOP - 2 oz
"WOW It's Huge!" were the first words spoken after tasting this tea. If Halmari Gold Assam is King Midas, this tea is King Kong! I was intrigued by this tea at discovery - organic handcrafted leaf, bud and stem, rather rustic in dry appearance that brews up an astoundingly robust, layered, malty, cup of tea loaded with notes of dark chocolate, molasses and hint of prune that finishes dry - yet sweet? Unlike any tea I have tasted out of India so far. I am a huge fan of Yunnan Assamica black teas and it is no wonder I love this one. Have fun with it as a stand alone tea, but is delicious with a bit of milk. Brew with boiling water for 3-5 minutes.
Sontipur District, Assam
Assam Tonganagaon FTGFOP1 - 2 oz
This small plantation in North Eastern Assam is located next to Namdapha one of India's most biodiverse regions. In tumultuous years past, the land was held by rebels, but after much effort and rehabilitation, has given way to fields of happy, organic Assamica tea bushes and several peaceful villages supported by the industry. Tongana means "axe", and gaon "village", named after the axe-wielding Hindu god Parashurama.
The high grade leaf is delicate and fine with plentiful golden tips presents aroma of strawberry jam and sweet tobacco. The soup is copper in color, smooth, rich and brisk, with loads of malt, burnt caramel, chocolate, hazelnut, and spice notes. great with milk or on its own. A real gem! Brew AT 212F.
Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. Organic and Fair Trade
Assam Gingia GTOP Black Tea - 3 oz
One sip of this delicious tea and I was instantly transported to a time many years ago when I traveled among the foothills of Northern India, stopping along the way at numerous friendly teahouses that nourished me with hot cups of malty Assam and plates of dal bhat and fried rice.
This is an exceptional Assam tea from one of the finest estates, masterfully crafted and loaded with golden tips. The scent of the dry tea is reminiscent of strawberry jam on fresh baked bread; the brewed cup is smooth, juicy and immensely satisfying. Brew one heaping teaspoon per 8 oz 212Fboiling water for 3-5 minutes.
Bishnauth, Assam, India. A certified Ethical Trade Partnership tea.
Smoked Assam TGFOP- 2 oz
We are always looking for interesting teas for our customers and this is a fun find! Certain tribal peoples of Assam stuff fresh tea leaves into bamboo and smoke them over a wild wood fire- it is called phalap tea but it is very difficult to procure. Perhaps this was a spinoff experiment and we think it turned out rather nicely!
High grade tippy leaves are smoked on bamboo hollows producing a tea like a smokey lapsang souchong, but dare we say more refined, less overwhelming and pine-y? The tea soup is clear and dark amber with aroma of smoked guajillo peppers. Scotch, dried fruit and chocolate notes in the soup with a smooth, sweet finish. Very nice - give it a try! brew at 212F.
Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe Grade
Golagath District, Assam, India
Sikkim Temi FTGFOP - 2 oz
A magical, premium, estate tea from high altitude tea gardens in the foothills of Mt. Kanchenjunga, NE India. Similar to a Darjeeling with its delightful, aromatic notes of tropical flowers, peach, muscatel grape and hint of bitter almond. Full bodied and rich in flavor, it stands on its own, but also delicious with milk and sweetener. Himalayan beauty in a cup! Brew 1 heaping teaspoon of tea to 8-10 oz boiling water; steep 3-7 minutes.
Nilgiri Nonsuch BOP Black Tea - 3 oz
This is a beautiful, bright and sunny tea from one of the finest tea estates in the misty, verdant hills of Nilgiri in Southern India. Characteristic notes of fruit and orange blossoms permeate its amber broth, inviting you to embrace the day. Nilgiri teas are regarded as wonderful breakfast teas.
A certified Ethical Trade Partnership tea.
Brew one heaping teaspoon per 8oz cup of 212Fboiling water for 3-5 minutes.
Vietnam Black Gold GTOP- 2 oz
There are some good teas coming out of North Vietnam and this is no exception. Finely worked tippy leaves present a pronounced cherry and sweet tobacco aroma. The soup is copper in color, thick, rich and syrupy, with notes of cherry wood, caramel, pastry, unsweetened chocolate and black pepper. Would be nice with milk but delicious on its own! (Full disclosure- I have tried it with evaporated milk, Vietnamese coffee style and it rocks!) Organic. Brew at 220F.
Ha Giang Province, Vietnam
Japanese Benifuki Wakoucha - 2 oz
Benifuki, meaning "Red Riches and Honor", is one of Japan's well known Wakoucha or black teas. First developed in the 1960's by crossing the Benihomare assamica cultivar with a MakuraCD86 sinesnsis cultivar from Darjeeling. The dry leaf is dark brown and presents aromas of dates and dark chocolate. The deep amber soup is strong and rich, with notes of ripe plum, spices (cinnamon most pronounced), citrus peel, honeyand cherry wood, with a peppery edge. Caffeine level is high. Brew at 212F and start with short steepings. Play around with this tea to produce different results!
Kenya Mountain Gold FTOP Black Tea - 2 oz
Kenya Mountain Gold brews up a bold and rich cup with a complex mineral profile, pronounced floral and fruity notes, and a long, smooth honey-sweet finish. Mother Earth love in a cup! Brew at 212F.
A certified Fair Trade tea.
Brew one heaping teaspoon of tea per 8 oz cup of boiling water for 3-5 minutes.