Tea: Orthodox Black Beauty

Grower: Heritage Tea Assam, led by Rajen Baruah

Origin: Dibrugarh in Assam, India

Cultivation: Natural (Organic, but no certification)

Harvest Date: Spring 2015

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Orthodox Black Beauty is refined, bold, and fragrant, with a smooth, full texture. Takes well with or without milk.

The tea has the signature Assam maltiness, with notes of sweet citrus, rose, and cauliflower. Medium body with a creamy texture and a fragrant finish. The liquor is brilliant red, with a sheen from the fine pekoe hairs on the liquor.

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The region of Assam is located at low elevation, with abundant rainfall and high humidity. This results in robust, malty teas. Traditionally, the area produces low-grade CTC and fannings for the commodity market, but Heritage Tea Assam focuses on quality teas.

Orthodox Black Beauty is crafted from tea leaves harvested by hand from Camellia sinensis assamica (large-leaf) bushes. Unlike many other tea pickers in Assam, who focus on quantity rather than quality, the pluckers at Heritage Tea Assam are well-versed in good plucking standards. After harvest, the raw tea leaves are processed in the Orthodox style in roller machines, designed to simulate handrolling and minimize breakage.

Heritage Tea grows with locally-sourced vermicompost, and is completely chemical-free. The founder, Rajen, keeps detailed notes on each tea and educates local growers and pickers, allowing for continued improvement.

View Grower Profile: Heritage Tea Assam

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Recommended Brewing Instructions: Use 1.5tsp (~4g) of leaves per 4oz (250ml) of water.
Brew for 1-2 minutes.

- 195F for a soft, smooth profile with sweeter flavors

- 205F for a more robust, full-bodied profile.