Assam tea is the original Indian black tea grown in the mountainous Assam state of north eastern India. The Assam valley is cut across by the mighty Brahmaputra River which deposits rich loam over the soil. Deep sandy soil, hot steamy monsoon and cold dry winter create a full bodied, rich and malty black tea. It is this hearty and robust taste which makes it most useful as base tea for popular breakfast tea blends like English breakfast tea and Irish breakfast tea. The tea brews amber red liquor with a strong intoxicating aroma. It cups heartily with milk and pairs richly with all kinds of breakfast.
The Assam variety of black tea is produced from an Indian variant of Chinese tea plant “Camellia Sinensis”. It is a hybrid version of the original “camellia sinensis” tea plant is suited to Indian climate and terrain. Indians had been hooked onto Assam long before it entered London tea market in 1830. It soon replaced ale and gin as the most popular British drinks and went on to create tea traditions, tea gardens and designs for English pottery and porcelain. Thus, black tea had spread across the world, and Assam variety of black tea was one of the leading teas sold in international tea markets. It was enjoyed for its characteristic robust taste which awakened millions out of their morning laziness and relaxed them after a long tiring day at work.
In India, it is traditionally steeped with milk, cream and a sweetener. Tea is like a national beverage, enjoyed across the country. Every region has its own particular brewing style; some brew it with milk, some drink it straight up without milk, and some brew it with a lot of spices. Its spice version is very popular in northern parts of the country, where Assam black tea with spices is popularly known as “masala chai”. Spices like cloves, ginger, cardamom etc are added while brewing and make it a perfect cup of “hot” tea in winters.
Assam tea has an equally refreshing preparation for summer as well. Black tea with lemon is a chilling summer drink. It is made as iced tea. It’s a rather old and traditional preparation, but continues to be one of the favorite household summer drinks, despite stiff competition from modern artificially flavored drinks. Assam black teas are particularly known for their rich and robust taste. However, one needs to be a little careful not to turn one’s tea bitter by steeping the tea for too long. Instead, use a higher amount of tea leaves per cup for a cup of higher strength. This tea is remarkable smooth and malty, and goes very well with sweet foods.
Apart from its famed malty taste, there is yet another reason to drink this rich black tea. Black tea is fast making waves as the new health drink. It is finally coming out of the shadows of green tea and white tea as a health drink. The flavonoids contained in black tea are said to reduce LDL cholesterol, and as a result lower the risk of coronary heart disease. It exerts a therapeutic effect on intestines and gastric system and helps relieve diarrhea. It contains antioxidants which damage free radicals and hence protect from a number of diseases. It is also said to retard the aging process, and is widely used in anti-aging creams and lotions. Just a couple of cups of black tea daily will help keep you looking young and glowing for much longer. It speeds up metabolism and burns undesirable fat fast. It comes in as a handy supplementary drink for weight loss aspirants. Its fluoride content strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities.
