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 Yunnan Fengqing Golden Buds Black Tea

What-Cha is a small business in the UK that has some very interesting and unique offerings for tea drinkers. I am a true fan of of most quality Yunnan teas, and this tea is certainly one of those.

What-Cha Yunnan Fengqing Golden Buds Black Tea

Surprisingly, the dry leaf wasn’t actually as tippy as I though it would be, considering the fragrance coming off the leaf! The dry leaf is long and twist…the kind that won’t stay in the teaspoon and you’re never quite sure that you’re measuring properly because it won’t go IN the teaspoon. But I’m not going to complain about that quality in any tea! Notes of cocoa, apricot and yam were gentle but present in the dry leaf. Wet, the leaf is long and beautiful, leaving a golden amber liquor in the cup.

This tea has the same wonderful notes that make me a true fan of teas from this region: dark cocoa, earthy sweet potato skin, a touch of raisin….but this tea also has a woodsy note that some Yunnans have. It’s the taste that reminds me of long-forgotten secret places and old trees that should be visited with reverence. The earthy yam skin and cocoa notes give this tea a beautiful base to balance the raisin and woodsy note on. There is a slight apricot top note, but the strength in this tea lies in it’s deeper notes. Overall this is a well balanced cup of tea, with no astringency and a medium well-rounded mouthfeel that is worthy of a tea drinkers favorite thing….quiet contemplation and enjoyment.

You can find this tea here.