Soula Assam from Golden Tips Tea

Soula Assam from Golden Tips Tea

I am on a quest to find my "perfect" assam.  This is a challenging journey, as unlike Chinese black teas, most single estate assams are a bit more uniform in their flavor profile....which is why I love them in general.  There is something about their wholesome malty goodness that makes a standard favorite cup of morning tea in my home.

Soula Assam is a true representation in the beautiful ways of assams.  The dry leaf smells strongly of warm malt with a touch of dried plum.  There are few golden tips in the medium length dry leaf, which is fine with me today, as it's a chilly morning and a deeper malt tea is exactly what I'm hoping for to chase the chill away!  Soula Assam does not disappoint as a chill-chaser.  The deep malt note is a solid base for the slight fruitiness and mild astringency that this tea offers.  I immediately went back for a second cup to verify the smoothness, and it was still there.  This is a very easy to drink assam, with a straightforward flavor profile, round mouthfeel and ability to take milk exceptionally well.  Soula Assam from Golden Tips Tea is a lovely example of what a single estate assam can offer to someone wanting to move beyond the teabag.  If you are just beginning to explore assams, this is a great place to start.

You can find this tea here: Golden Tips Tea Soula Assam

What-Cha Irish Breakfast Black Tea

I had hopes for this Irish blend....especially after tasting What-Cha's English black blend tea and finding it quite lovely and complex.  Dry, this leaf is intriguing, with it's deep dark assam leaves mixed with twisty ceylon and the green touches from the Nepal tea that create this blend.  The smell from the cup....well, this is not your typical Irish Breakfast tea.  What-Cha has taken the concept of a tea that has a notoriously heavy flavor profile (which is why we who like Irish Breakfast teas love them to begin with!) and updated it with a briskness that balances the bottom notes with youthful abandon. There is beautiful deep malt and cocoa as bottom notes that are joined  by mid notes of a green wood spiciness and a lingering apricot top note that gives this tea a long malty sweet finish.  The true beauty of this blend's finish is held in the buoyant briskness that the ceylon brings. The deep lovely malt and cocoa notes are not lessened by the briskness...they are enhanced....brought to a fuller, rounder mouthfeel than most Irish blends possess.  There is a touch of astringency to the cup, but it is just enough to make you look forward to the next sip.  Which is hard not to do.  If you are a black blend drinker, give this one a try.  It is a captivating alternative to what you're used to.

You can find this tea here.