Brew Guide: Assam Orthodox Black Tea
Assam Orthodox Black Tea is your true-blue black tea. Orthodox refers to the fact that it’s a full leaf loose tea made the traditional way. The resulting tea leaves will bloom when they’re steeped.
If you’re a fan of English Breakfast for your morning cuppa (or one of its cousins, like Earl Grey), we recommend trying Assam Orthodox instead, brewed in a tea pot. This will give you the most robust black tea that can hold up well to milk, a bit of sweetener, and anything else you fancy adding.
Assam Orthodox Black tea comes from from tea estates in India's Northeastern state of Assam, a subtropical climate with lush soils and heavy rainfall that yields robust tea leaves.
Unlike Darjeeling tea leaves which are delicate and best enjoyed on their own, Assam tea leaves are malty, strong and steep well with milk and sugar.
Unlike Darjeeling tea leaves which are delicate and best enjoyed on their own, Assam tea leaves are malty, strong and steep well with milk and sugar.
While we love the jolt of caffeine that Assam teas bring, we also brew them lighter (try half, or even a quarter teaspoon), when we’re looking for a gentler cup of tea. Experiment with this one to your taste buds.
It also makes a fabulous iced tea in the summer. Add dried rose petals for a floral note, lemon wedges for a simple summer tea, or some fresh ginger slices for a zing. Spices like cardamom, cloves, and star anise can also transform a simple black iced tea into a masala chai.
ASSAM ORTHODOX BLACK TEA BREW GUIDE
METHOD: Teapot
QUANTITY: 1 heaped teaspoon
CUPS: 3 cups
BREW TIME: 4-5 minutes
CAFFEINE QUOTIENT: Approximately 50mg per 8 oz cup
STEPS:
1) Heat 3 cups of filtered water to approximately 190 degrees Farenheit (below boiling temperature)
2) Add 1 teaspoon of Assam Orthodox Black Tea leaves (approximately 2.5 grams) into teapot. Pour hot water over leaves.
3) Steep for 4-5 minutes, then remove strainer if teapot has one, or use hand held strainer to pour tea into your cup.
4) Add a bit of milk (whole or oat works well) and a drop of honey if you wish.
5) For iced version: Brew as normal, and strain out leaves. Place in fridge for 2-3 hours to chill tea
ASSAM ORTHODOX BLACK TEA BREW GUIDE
METHOD: Teapot
QUANTITY: 1 heaped teaspoon
CUPS: 3 cups
BREW TIME: 4-5 minutes
CAFFEINE QUOTIENT: Approximately 50mg per 8 oz cup
STEPS:
1) Heat 3 cups of filtered water to approximately 190 degrees Farenheit (below boiling temperature)
2) Add 1 teaspoon of Assam Orthodox Black Tea leaves (approximately 2.5 grams) into teapot. Pour hot water over leaves.
3) Steep for 4-5 minutes, then remove strainer if teapot has one, or use hand held strainer to pour tea into your cup.
4) Add a bit of milk (whole or oat works well) and a drop of honey if you wish.
5) For iced version: Brew as normal, and strain out leaves. Place in fridge for 2-3 hours to chill tea