Review: Borpatra Estate Assam STGFOP1S

Assam teas are full-bodied, strong, malty brews that come from the region of India that shares the name. The Assam region is the world's largest single tea-producing region, and one of the two major varieties of the camellia sinensis plant, the camellia sinensis var. assamica, originates there. While, as with any other type of tea, quality varies, Assam produces some of the world's finest black teas.

Assam teas have particular characteristics in common: a malty flavor, notes of chocolate and cinnamon and occasionally honey in the tea before infusion, a bold red liquor, and a distinct sweetness and honey flavor.

The Borpatra Estate Assam STGFOP1S is a fine example of the style that exemplifies many of its best attributes. In case you were wondering, STGFOP1S is the "grade". In this case, STGFOP1S stands for (S)pecial (F)inest (G)olden (F)lowery (O)range (P)ekoe, and the 1S denotes that that particular tea is of the highest quality from that particular estate. (More on this topic later, as grading conventions are extremely complicated and, at times, confusing, but definitely worth understanding).

The un-infused leaves of this tea smell strongly of chocolate and honey, are variously of gold and deep black colour, and contain a high proportion of white, downy "tips" -- the most expensive and rare part of the tea plant that is only included in the highest-quality teas, and which impart a special sweet flavor of their own. The liquor is a golden red and, as with the un-infused leaves, redolent of chocolate, honey, and a hint of cinnamon. The taste on the palate includes all of the aforementioned as well as a very subtle hint of tobacco. It goes well with milk and sugar, as it helps balance any latent heaviness/bitterness in the cup as well as enhancing the natural sweetness of the style. It is an excellent cup of good quality, strong tea if you like a hard wake-up call in the morning; and, at $10.26 for 250g (which will make approximately 80-90 cups) from Upton Tea Imports, it's reasonably priced. Highly recommended.