The Importance of Black Tea

The Importance of Black Tea

Assam black tea, often just called Assam tea or Assam, refers to black tea produced in the Assam region of India. Although the Assam region produces a tiny amount of green and white tea, an overwhelming majority of teas produced in Assam are black teas, and the term “Assam”, when used alone, is synonymous with Assam black tea.

Where is the Assam region?

The Assam region is located in northeastern India, at the center of the part of India that is mostly surrounded by other countries, although most of the Assam region itself does not border these countries. Most of Assam lies in river valleys, although the region contains some higher-altitude areas as well. Although it is relatively near Darjeeling, Nepal, and other regions producing high-grown black teas with a lighter character, most of Assam is lower in altitude, and has a different climate. The difference in climate and elevation results in radically different characteristics when comparing Assam to Darjeeling teas, even though the two regions are not that far from each other geographically.

Assam tends to be strong, but can also be smooth:

Typical Assam is a powerful, robust tea, dark, full-bodied, and with a strong, bitter flavor. Its aroma is often described as malty. Many Assam teas are said to have nuances of chocolate, and nutty, floral, or fruity tones in their aroma as well, sometimes with toasty or caramel-like qualities as well. Assam black tea definitely has its own recognizable style, but there is a huge amount of variability among Assams.

Assam is often described as being highly tannic, which refers to its dark color and a certain type of astringency and bitterness, but the color and amount of bitterness and astringency varies widely.

Many of the higher grades of Assam, and many of the batches of single-estate Assam teas are very smooth. Some of these high-end teas are even naturally sweet, with little bitterness or astringency, and a complex and highly nuanced aroma.

Assam in Breakfast Blends:

Because of its strength, Assam is a favorite ingredient in breakfast blends, such as English breakfast, but especially Irish Breakfast and Ostfriesentee, a breakfast tea from East Frisia in Germany. Irish breakfast and Ostfriesentee are often made exclusively out of Assam, and even when it is a blend, Irish breakfast tends to be predominantly Assam. Pure Assam makes an outstanding breakfast tea, and is one of the best choices if you want the classic flavor of a black breakfast tea in a single-origin or single-estate tea.

Tippy Assam refers to Assam tea which contains a larger portion of tips or leaf buds. The tips and leaf buds are higher in caffeine, which makes tippy Assam both a favorite ingredient in breakfast blends, as well as a favorite breakfast tea in its own right.

Buying Assam black tea:

Assam black tea is widely available; most tea companies that specialize in British tea culture or other western tea cultures carry Assam, but there are also numerous tea companies that specialize in Indian teas or even those that specialize exclusively in teas from the Assam region, which have a much bigger selection. If you are seeking the best Assam teas, you would do well to begin buying and sampling single estate and single-harvest loose-leaf teas from Assam. Not only do these teas tend to be higher-quality than most of the blends available in mainstream stores, but sampling single estate teas and single-harvest teas can enable you to experience nuances of flavor and aroma that you would not notice if you only drink blends. Buying loose-leaf tea also offers superior flavor and value when compared to tea bags.

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