Name: Tezpur Blend TGBOP
Brand: Peter Asher Coffee and Tea
Type: Black tea
Form: Loose leaf
Price: $7.50 for 2 ounces (November, 2011)
Review: This is one of the tastiest Assams I’ve had in a long time, and at this price, I won’t mind stocking up.
Tezpur Blend TGBOP is, as its name suggests, made up of a chocolate brown, fairly tippy leaf that brews up to a full-bodied, dark orange liquor. Both the dry leaf and infused cup have a sweet, malty nose and the tea itself is richly flavored with malt, stewed fruit and maybe a hint of tobacco. What I particularly appreciate about this tea is that, unlike some lower-quality Assams, it is not overly astringent: Just enough to clear your palate, but not enough to make you reach for the milk or sugar. That said, I suppose this tea could take either. I just wouldn’t recommend it.
Another thing that I greatly appreciated about this tea is its freshness: There is a certain quality about fresh, well-stored teas that is hard to define, but is nonetheless quite noticeable. I liken it to the flavors “dancing” on my tongue, and this tea certainly does that.
Highly recommended.
Brewing Tips: This is a hearty Assam, so don’t be afraid to brew it with boiling water. I do advise playing with the amount of leaf you use to make this tea, as you can get very different results with careful adjustments. For example, when I brewed the tea in my 14 ounce infuser mug, I used just under two teaspoons of leaf. This resulted in a very smooth, refined tea. When I prepared the tea using my five ounce tasting set, the result was a much more robust, astringent tea. Both were good, but it really is a matter of taste: A stronger brew may be better with food, while a lighter cup may be just the thing with a book on a lazy afternoon.
Serving Tips: A great, classic breakfast tea, but I would imagine that this would work well with many different types of food. I also find it to be quite nice for casual sipping, particularly if infused to moderate strength.
Affiliate Links in this Post: Yes
Sample Provided by Retailer: Yes
_64.gif)
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
This sounds like the sort of Assam that I would really like. I especially like teas with a hint of tobacco-like qualities in them, and it is good when an Assam is strong but without having too much astringency. These teas can be a bit trickier to find.