Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Starglory on Amazon
Tea Description:
Black Tea is consumed because of its natural flavour and for refreshment. Excellent cup of black tea helps a person to start a day positively with full of energy. At the end of a hectic, tiresome and busy day if a perfect black tea is taken , it will re energize and refresh oneself. This is one best Orthodox Black Tea sourced from Upper Assam Gardens.
Learn more about Starglory Tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I love Assam black teas, so when I was asked by Starglory Tea to try their FOP Assam Black, I was only too happy to oblige!
Immediately upon looking at the dry leaf, I can see something distinctly different with this tea versus other Assam black teas. Most Assam teas that I’ve encountered tend to be a smaller cut or broken leaf. But these beautiful, long, wiry leaves of chocolate brown appear to be whole! When Starglory says “FOP” (which stands for Flowery Orange Pekoe – which basically means that the tea consists of large, wiry, and mostly unbroken leaves), they mean it!
To brew this beautiful Assam, I measured out 2 1/2 bamboo scoops of tea (I added an extra half a scoop because the leaves are so large and bulky) into the basket of my Breville tea maker and poured 500ml of freshly filtered water into the vessel. I set the parameters for 2 1/2 minutes steep time at 205°F. I used a slightly lower temperature because it’s been my experience that Assam teas can be somewhat temperamental and a slightly lower temperature can mean the difference between a perfect tasting cup of tea and a bitter brew.
And this tastes perfect!
It is rich, delicious and malty, just like I want from an Assam. But this tastes much smoother – no bitterness whatsoever! Not even a hint in the background. Just sweet, caramel-y notes that meld deliciously with notes of malt to create a thick, luscious flavor that not only entices me with its delicious flavor but also invigorates me.
The sip begins with a sweet note that becomes very caramel-esque as the sip progresses. I begin to pick up on the malty notes almost right away. There are notes of fruit and floral notes in the background. It’s got that “chewy” sort of flavor to it, thick and delicious like the crust from a freshly baked loaf of bread. Mmm! It’s a very satisfying tea.
This tea doesn’t require any additions – it tastes great as is. But, if you prefer a bit of honey or milk in your tea, this tea would take those additions well. It would be great with a thin slice of lemon too. Another great idea is to drop a piece or two of crystallized ginger into your tea. This adds a little sweetness to the cup as well as a hint of ginger’s peppery flavor. (Plus you get a tasty treat at the end of the cup!)
If you’re looking for an Assam that delivers the flavor of the Assam without so much of the harshness that is often associated with it – this is the Assam you’re looking for!
Assam Orthodox Black Tea (TGFOP1) from Starglory
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Starglory on Amazon
Tea Description:
Black Tea is consumed because of its natural flavour and for refreshment. Excellent cup of black tea helps a person to start a day positively with full of energy. At the end of a hectic, tiresome and busy day if a perfect black tea is taken , it will re energize and refresh oneself. This is one best Orthodox Black Tea sourced from Upper Assam Gardens.
Learn more about Starglory Tea here.
Taster’s Review:
What a fabulous Assam! It’s a rich, full-flavored, robust Assam – just what I’d expect from a top-notch Assam black tea, but it’s far less harsh than many Assam teas that I’ve encountered. This is smoother and sweeter!
To brew this, I used my trusty Breville One-Touch tea maker (I really love this machine!) I added 2 heaping bamboo scoops of tea to the basket – a little bit of extra leaf since the curls of the beautiful TGFOP1 leaf add some bulk to it versus the typical smaller torn leaf. Then I poured 500ml of water into the jug and set the parameters: 205°F and 2 1/2 minutes.
This particular Assam is a single garden tea from the Dibrugarh estate. I like that when I had a question about the Assam tea’s origins, Starglory Tea got back to me promptly with the answers I was looking for. I appreciate that kind of customer service! It makes me feel good about the company I’m dealing with!
This is a really smooth Assam. It’s malty and there is a wine-like note to this too. It’s got a crispness to it. It’s not quite as heavy as some Assam teas can be. It’s got that invigorating edge to it without being bitter. In fact, I’m not picking up on any bitterness to this at all. With many Assam teas, I tend to pick up on a slight bitterness, like hinting at bitterness. Not quite bitter, but suggesting to me that had I oversteeped the tea, it would have been. I’m not even getting the slight insinuation that this tea would be bitter! I like!
There are notes of cacao which I found surprising – in a very good way! It’s a rich, decadent cacao flavor with notes of flower in the background. Hints of fruit. Molasses which adds a rich, almost roasted flavor to the cup that accents the cacao quite beautifully.
While I am sure that this tea would take well to the additions of milk and honey (or other additions if you prefer) I would first recommend tasting it before you add anything to it! It has a very satisfying flavor served straight and there are so many lovely nuances to this tea and the additions might just overwhelm those other flavors.
This Assam is so good that I’m finding it hard to write this review as I drink it. I don’t want to stop sipping long enough to put the cup down and type! That’s the true measure for this reviewer of a really good tea – if I finish the cup of tea before I finish the review – it deserves all kinds of accolades. And look! My teacup is empty!
Assam Green Tea from Starglory
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Starglory on Amazon
Tea Description:
Green Tea is also known as health tea . Rich in antioxidants green tea helps in fighting and controlling many human diseases. Regular consumptions Green tea helps in keeping body fit and slim. This best Assam Green Tea is sourced from Upper Assam Garden.
Learn more about Starglory Tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Nice!
The aroma of the dry leaf is distinctly grassy/vegetal. The brewed tea has a much softer scent and I pick up on very few of those strong grassy and vegetal tones that I noticed in the dry leaf.
To brew this tea, I used my Breville One-Touch. I measured out 2 bamboo scoops of tea into the basket of the tea maker and then poured fresh, cool water into the jug. The settings: 175°F for 1 1/2 minutes.
The results: The liquid is quite pale. A very pale, clear green. The aroma is soft, as I already mentioned. The flavor is really quite pleasant.
It’s sweet and smooth. There is very little astringency to it. It’s an energizing drink but it is also soothing and relaxing to sip. It’s as if it revitalizes you from the inside out. It doesn’t get you jumping but gives you that gentle nudge to get through the rest of the day.
The sip starts out sweet with hints of a honey-like note. I then notice a slight buttery/nutty note. It’s vegetal but not bitter. The vegetal tones are something between sweet grass and mild steamed veggies. The aftertaste has a light, citrusy note.
This is the kind of green tea that I would like to have in my pantry regularly for everyday drinking. It’s a smooth, sweet and even flavor, something that tastes great before, during or after meals, and all those moments in between. It’s a really enjoyable tea. I found it to be a really refreshing iced tea as well.