India is one of the largest tea producing areas in the world with teas coming mainly from the Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Kerala, Sikkim and Dooars regions. Tea production from each of these areas is quite distinct.
The largest tea producing district in India, as well as the world, is Assam which accounts for about 75 percent of all the tea that is produced in India. To give an idea of the size: If one were to stand at the seaport in New York City, and could see all the way to Chicago, they would be viewing the land that encompasses the Assam tea districts. In general, Assam teas range from a black to brown dry leaf and cup to a full-bodied, rich and malty taste. These teas are a particular favorite at Simpson & Vail.
Darjeeling teas are the most famous of Indian teas and are sometimes referred to as the "champagne of teas". Their tea gardens are located on the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain range, at altitudes from 6,500 to 9,900 feet. The "First Flush" Darjeeling is plucked from March through April. "Second Flush" is plucked from May until mid July. In general, Darjeeling tea has a golden amber color, light flowery flavor and a sweetness of apricot and peaches.
These twisted, slightly tippy Assam black tea leaves from northern India are zestful and invigorating. They produce a deep copper colored cup, with a malty, mellow and full bodied flavor. Assam is truly the Bordeaux of tea! Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
The Banaspaty Estate is known for producing high quality orthodox teas. We're thrilled to offer this FTGFOP1 tea that brews to a copper colored cup with a brisk, malty taste that is full flavored and smooth. Destined to become a favorite, you'll love sipping this delightful Assam throughout the day.
If you're looking for a very malty, well balanced tea with a rapid infusion, then look no further. This tea is a CTC style (cut, tear, curl) and unlike leafed tea, it doesn't expand. The tea brews to a deep amber cup that stands up to the addition of milk. A real morning "wake-me-up" beverage!
Behali was established in 1988 under the Majuli Tea Company. Located between the foothills of the Himalayas and the Brahmaputra river, Behali is in the Sonitpur district of Assam. This beautiful estate hosts remarkable scenic beauty. The black OP styled tea is interspersed with golden tips and brews to a full-bodied amber cup with a deep malty flavor.
The Belseri Tea Estate is actually made up of the Belseri and Chardwar Tea gardens, which have 1500 acres under cultivation. This tea estate is one of the largest organic tea producers in northern Assam. The tea has medium-black leaves that brew into a bright amber cup. The taste has a creamy, malty, well-balanced cup.
This Assam tea from clonal bushes has been blended to create a hearty brew with traditional Assam characteristics. The dark amber colored cup yields a flowery, malty cup with a smooth taste.
The Dikom Estate is one of the oldest tea estates in Assam. The black, tippy leaves brew to a well-balanced amber cup, with a slight cocoa aroma, and a classic malty and slightly creamy taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
An original Assam Company estate, Doomur Dullung means the “fisherman’s bridge” and is referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown”. From this lovely garden, comes this CTC (cut, tear, curl) processed BPS (broken pekoe souchong) leaf. It brews to a deep copper cup with a smooth, malty flavor. Perfect on its own or you can add some to your favorite teas to create your own breakfast brew.
Grown in a garden near the famous Kaziranga National Park, this large, slightly twisted black leafed tea produces a bright cup. The full flavor and brisk but smooth taste will make this a morning favorite.
Similar to China's Lapsang Souchong, but not as strong, this tea is smoked with local Indian woods instead of the Chinese pine wood. These long, well-formed TGFOP1 leaves brew to a copper colored, smooth cup. The smoke aroma and taste are delicate allowing for the distinctive malty Assam taste to shine through. As the cup cools a slight sweetness can also be found in the brew.
The Harmutty tea estate is one of the oldest tea gardens in Assam, dating back to the 1870's. The golden tippy, uniform, well-styled leaves brew to a smooth and malty cup with classic Assam boldness.
Grown from a clonal bush, this distinctive and delicious TGFOP black tea comes from the Tinsukia district of north eastern Assam. The well-formed tippy leaves brew to a deep amber cup with a smooth taste that has a natural hint of raspberry. Enjoy a delightful cup with breakfast or afternoon tea.
Located in the Mikir Hills at an elevation of 1800 ft is the Kopili Tea Estate. It is the only garden in Assam that is located at this high altitude, other Assam gardens are at a maximum of 150-200 ft. The organic blackish tealeaves, with golden tips, brew to a bright copper liquor with a sweet musty smell and a bold malty taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
This tea is graded FTGFOP (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe) and brews to a rich amber cup with a medium body and a smooth malty, slightly creamy sweet taste. The Nahorhabi Estate is recognized for producing excellent teas and this self-drinking tea has all the attributes associated with a fine Assam.
This tippy-leafed Assam tea from the Orangajuli Estate brews to a bright reddish color with a full body and a smooth, sweet, malty taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
The Satrupa Estate is located in the eastern most region of Assam, closest to the Myanmar border. This tea has large, black, twisted, tippy leaves that yield a bright copper cup with a creamy cocoa-like aroma, an abundantly full flavor and a strong malty taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
A delicious Assam! This small estate is located in Northeast India near the Namdapha National Park, which is recognized as one of India's richest areas of biodiversity. The medium-black, slightly tippy leaves brew to a medium amber cup with a delightful, well-bodied malty taste.
Our standard Darjeeling Black Tea is a blend of teas from all around the Darjeeling area, which are blended to create a consistent taste profile. These medium sized tea leaves brew to a dark amber cup and have a sweet musky smell with a smooth, medium body and pleasing citral tones that are bold but not overpowering. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
The Ambootia Estate has had a fine history of tea cultivation since 1861, with their teas being both organically and bio-dynamically produced. The Premium Darjeeling is a blend of their 2nd flush and Autumnal teas that produces a full-bodied, bright cup, with a delicate, slightly sweet, champagne after-taste. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
The beautiful tippy, twisted, well-formed brown and black leaves brews to a bright amber cup with a delightful musk aroma and a taste that is sweet and floral with an oak-like finish. Produced from the clonal variety tea bush. Brew tea at 195º - steep for 2-3 minutes.
While visiting from London in the 1930’s, Margaret, the daughter of the tea estate owner, saw the tea garden and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, Margaret fell ill and passed away on her Indian holiday. Her father re-named his estate after her to honor her memory. The Margaret’s Hope tea bushes are almost entirely Chinese jat which accounts for the green tippy leaf appearance and the superb fragrance. The leaves yield an amber cup with a true Muscat flavor found only in rare Darjeeling teas. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
Enjoy the scented fragrance of natural Bergamot with the light and flavorful taste of this organic Darjeeling Earl Grey Black tea. Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes. Certified Kosher & Organic
This black tea is a mix of FOP (flowery orange pekoe) and FBOP (flowery broken orange pekoe) leaves with a forest, oaky aroma in the dry leaf. It brews to a golden amber cup with a smooth, sweet, slightly floral taste. A perfect all day drinking tea!
cl_tn.jpg "Assam - Broken TGBOP")
