Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Beautiful Taiwan Tea Company
Tea Description:
AVAILABLE THE SECOND WEEK OF JULY!!!
What a smooth tea this is! This tea comes from a farm just above the pristine alpine lake called Sun Moon Lake. It’s hand processed by Mr. Lee and his wife, a wonderful and hospitable couple. They grow without chemicals the old fashioned way. Do you like black teas from India? This tea is similar but has no astringency. It’s a pure stock Assam Black Tea that has been growing in Taiwan since 1926 when the Japanese imperial machine started to foster a tea industry in Taiwan for world-wide export.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I have been excited to try this Formosa Assam Black Tea from Beautiful Taiwan Tea Company. I love the teas from Sun Moon Lake and the fact that this is an Assam (but grown in Taiwan!) I was so happy to have the opportunity to try it.
The aroma that I am enjoying from my teacup at the moment is sweet and delicious smelling. I smell rich notes of “black tea” … notes of fruit and flower and earth and molasses that seem to meld together into a unified fragrance that is “black tea.” It’s a rich, soothing and comforting aroma, something that inspires thoughts of being curled up under a big, warm, fluffy blanket in front of a fireplace. A welcome thought since it’s kind of a cold and dreary day here in the Pacific Northwest.
A quick glance at the calendar suggests that this shouldn’t be so, but, that’s the way it is here. On the days that you expect heat, we get wet. On the days that we expect cold, we sweat. On the days that we expect wet and possibly frost, we get … well, we probably do get wet. We are in the Pacific Northwest, where they say that if you don’t like the weather, you should just wait five minutes and it will change for you. But, you should still be prepared to get wet.
My weather rant aside, this is the kind of tea that I like to enjoy on days like this. I prefer a cup of hot tea over a glass of iced tea anyway, and when it’s cold and wet outside, I want something comforting and hot to drink (preferably inside!) And this tea is giving me just what I want today.
The flavor is rich and bold, but there is a smoothness to it too. Similar to an Assam grown in India, but as the definition above suggests, there’s virtually no astringency to this and nary a hint of bitterness which is something that, even with utilizing a very careful steep temperature and time, you are likely to taste slight bitter tones to an Assam grown in India, and you will most likely experience some astringency as well. But this is remarkably smooth and sweet.
The molasses-y notes that I picked up in the aroma are represented in the taste too. There are notes of stone fruit, like a mild plum note and possibly an apricot note in the distance. There is an almost autumnal feel to this cup, as I can pick up on some notes of warm spice, not really so much of a zesty spice but more like a gentle warmth that indicates a hint of spice. There is also that delectable “fresh baked goods” type of taste to this that I often get with an Assam, that chewy, delicious flavor that evokes thoughts of the warm, chewy, caramelized crust of a freshly baked loaf of bread.
While this definitely has a boldness to it, it isn’t quite as bold as a typical Assam would be. It tastes like … imagine if you would: a marriage between the best Indian Assam tea and the finest Formosa Oolong. This Formosa Assam Black Tea would be the lovechild that was born from that marriage, resembling both parents, carrying possibly a few more attributes of the Assam than the Oolong.
A truly lovely tea experience!
Just Awesome Assam Black Tea from Just.Organic.Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Just.Organic.Tea
Tea Description:
A bold, malty black tea. Looking for a stronger black? You’ve found it. A great breakfast tea with a caffeine kick that won’t leave you groggy. Our Assam tea is sourced from the famous Banaspaty estate in India. Fair trade & organic certified.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This tea was Just.Exactly.What.I.Needed.Today! OK, yeah, that was corny. Sorry. But, corny or not, the sentiment is true. I needed a good Assam kick and this tea delivers!
The description above pretty much nails it. This is a bold, malty black tea. The kind of tea you want for that first cup of the day. The kind of tea that helps you shake the sleepies, and gets you moving!
Because it is an Assam, I recommend steeping it with some care. I bring the water to a boil and I steep it for just 2 1/2 minutes. I find that if I go any longer than that, the tea starts to hint at becoming bitter, and the longer it steeps, the more bitter it tastes. Assam is one of those “persnickety” type of teas but it’s worth the extra effort because it delivers a really solid, hefty flavor that is malty, sweet and delicious when brewed properly.
And this tea is all those things: malty, sweet, and delicious! It’s got a solid, hefty flavor that would take the additions of milk and honey well if you like to add those to your morning tea. It also tastes great straight up. When I encounter a lovely Assam like this, I sometimes indulge and add a drizzle of real maple syrup to the cup and Mmmmm! Heaven!
I’m not only loving this tea, but I’m also loving that it’s organic and fair trade certified. And I really love that Just.Organic.Tea. focuses on these things. This is a company I feel really good about supporting!
Assam English Breakfast (2014) from Steepster
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Steepster Select
Tea Description:
Assam is home to big, full bodied black teas and this is a classic from the region – a perfect cup right out of bed or for an afternoon pick me up. Our Assam Breakfast is sturdy enough to take milk but is wonderful on its own as well.
Taster’s Review:
This Assam English Breakfast from Steepster – another from their “first flush” Steepster Select box – impresses me as a remarkably smooth Assam tea. Typically, I find Assam teas to be a very rich and hearty tea, but sometimes that rich, robust flavor teeters on the edge of harshness and can be bitter if steeped for even a few seconds too long.
Conversely, I can’t detect even a hint of bitterness with this tea. Granted, I was careful with the steep time (I steeped it for 3 minutes). But, even at that three minutes, I don’t notice even the slightest bitter intonation. It is sweet, a little malty and full-flavored. Even the astringency here is on the mild side.
That said, I don’t know that this would make a really good breakfast blend. It’s that sturdy and almost harsh character that makes Assam a good tea for the additions of milk and honey. This is so smooth and nicely round that I think milk and honey – or other sweetener – is not only unnecessary but would likely overwhelm the wonderful qualities of this tea. No, I like this tea just the way it is.
It isn’t edgy the way some Assam teas can be. Instead, I get to enjoy the rich, classic malty notes of an Assam without the sometimes bitter bite that comes with Assam.
A really good Assam! Well done, Steepster!
Taiwan Sun Moon Lake Assam Black Tea (Competition Grade) from Cameron Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Cameron Tea
Tea Description:
Sun Moon Lake is located at altitude of 700m, surrounded with mountains and lakes with remarkable environment and typical climate. Heavy moist and stable yearly average temperature make the tea trees grow thick and rich tea leaves which produce carmine and perfectly clear liquor.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I didn’t know what to expect from this Sun Moon Lake Assam Tea from Cameron Tea, to be honest with you! I find Sun Moon Lake black teas and Assam Teas to be quite different, so, it seemed unusual to have a Sun Moon Lake Assam Tea, and I found myself wondering what made this an Assam if it was grown in Taiwan rather than India. Is it the Assamica variety of the Camellia Sinensis plant?
The leaves are absolutely beautiful! Each long, curly leaf looks like a work of art! Gorgeous! They have a sweet smell to them: earthy with hints of sweet fruit. The brewed tea has a softer aroma.
Wow! This tastes amazing. It … tastes mostly like a Sun Moon Lake black tea: it’s sweet and has a lighter body than most Assam teas that I’ve encountered.
But I can taste notes that are very Assam-like too. There is a nice malty note to this, and this compliments the sweetness of the Sun Moon Lake qualities of this tea. Notes of a honeyed caramel and hints of cacao contrast with notes of earth and leather. There is a slightly dry astringency to this, although it is not an abrupt astringency – it gently arrives on the palate – and it is a rather soft astringency as compared to what you might typically experience with an Assam tea.
This is such a warm and cozy cuppa. Generally, when I think of “Assam” I think of a bracing tea that gives you that kick start in the morning. Something that takes to the addition of milk and honey well, if you care to add it, and something that has a rich, thick flavor.
This, on the other hand, is not quite as bracing or bold as a typical Assam. I wouldn’t add milk and honey to this cup, because I would fear that it might overwhelm the beautiful Sun Moon Lake notes of the tea. I mean, perhaps it won’t, but, why take the chance on such a beautiful looking (and tasting!) liquid? It is smoother and not quite as strong as an Assam. Instead, this is the kind of “Assam” you’ll enjoy curling up to on a rainy spring afternoon. (We’ve had a few of those lately!)
I really love this tea. If you’re looking for something more Assam-ish, this might not be the right choice for you, but if you love a delicious Sun Moon Lake black tea and want something just a little different…
Imagine the love child between Sun Moon Lake and Assam … this child looks so much of the Sun Moon Lake but has the Assam’s eyes. Yeah … I’ve been watching Harry Potter again.
Just try it! You won’t be disappointed! This one is a WIN!
Russian Caravan Black Tea from Simple Loose Leaf
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simple Loose Leaf
Tea Description:
Harmoniously blending the smokiness of Lapsang Souchong, the malty chocolate flavor of Assam and the crisp and smooth flavor of Keemun, “Russian Caravan” is a welcome addition to our family of teas. Best when enjoyed hot, this rich and soothing blend of fine black teas will warm your soul and enliven your mind.
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn more about Simple Loose Leaf’s Selection Club subscription program here.
Taster’s Review:
I bring today’s review with some exciting news: first, my second box from Simple Loose Leaf’s Selection Club arrived yesterday! Yay! More tea goodness. I figured I better get busy and write the review for this tea since it’s from last month and now I have more teas to write about! The second bit of exciting news is that Simple Loose Leaf has a special offer this month only! Keep reading this review for more details!
For those of you who read my reviews regularly, you are probably aware of my less than enthusiastic feelings for smoky teas. So, it should probably come as no big surprise that this is the last of the five teas that I’m sampling from last month’s Selection Club box. But even though I’m not always excited to try a smoky tea, I’m actually enjoying this cup of Russian Caravan Black Tea from Simple Loose Leaf.
After a quick rinse of the leaves, I steeped this tea in boiling water for 2 1/2 minutes. The result is a flavorful cup that is smoky but not so smoky that I’m unable to enjoy the other flavors of the cup. The smoke level here is what I’d classify as “moderate,” and it melds nicely with the malty notes of the Assam in the blend. I like the smoky caramel notes that I taste.
I taste the sweet, wine-like notes from the Keemun. It’s got some “chew” to it – that freshly baked, bready sort of taste. There is a comforting taste to this tea. It evokes thoughts of the splendor of autumn, when the leaves are falling and there’s a crisp, cool feeling in the air. That air smells lightly of the smoke that billows out of the chimneys. It’s my favorite time of year, and I like how this tea brings those images to mind as I sip it. A really enjoyable Russian Caravan. If you’re a fan of smoky teas, you should add this one to your list.
As promised, here are the details about the special offer from Simple Loose Leaf: Check it out: This code >> 1DOLLARMONTH << (Just the 1DollarMonth part, these things: >< aren’t part of the code and are only added for emphasis) will enable you to get your first month of the Selection Club Subscription for just $1! Yeah, you read that right. Just one dollar!
Wow! So that means that you can get 1 – 2 ounces of two different loose leaf teas from Simple Loose Leaf’s menu for May … or you can get a sampler size of all five of the teas on the menu for May … for just one dollar!
This offer is good only through the month of April, so if you want to get in on this unbelievable offer (and really … why wouldn’t you?), you should act now.
What a deal! Be sure to tell the nice folks at Simple Loose Leaf that I sent you there.