Customer Reviews

Assam Tea, 125g

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I discovered Whittard of Chelsea many years ago on a visit to London, and have since made it a habit to stop by one of their stores whenever I am in Britain. I'm delighted to see, though, that my favorite tea company's products are now also available over the internet.

With an annual output of more than 1,500,000 lbs., the north-eastern Indian state of Assam - situated across the border from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan - is the world's single largest tea-producing region. Similar to Darjeeling, Assam tea is picked in a first and second harvest or "flush." While leaves from the first flush produce a full, refreshing aroma, Assam tea is particularly known for its second flush, whose cream- or gold-colored tips (or even entire leaves) lessen the tea's natural bitterness, thus giving it a softer, gentler note.

In its stores, Whittard sells several kinds of both large and small leaf Assam teas. Unfortunately the only variety available here is their house blend, which is a small leaf tea with Assam's characteristically malty aroma, but sturdier than some of the region's other varieties - a very nice everyday tea, even if nothing for truly special occasions.