Assam Gold Rain Black Tea
Assam Gold Rain Tea (Teavana)
Assam Gold Rain Black Tea originates from Assam, a region in the misty foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India. Assam has been a source of fine black teas since the colonial days of British rule. Britain made some serious money growing opium in India back in the heady empire days of the early 1800’s and for over 25 years sold it to the Chinese across the Himalayan borders. They had to raise silver bullion in order to buy tea from Chinas Eastern seaboard ports. The Chinese, the only tea growers at the time, only took silver as trade for tea and were in fact duped into a roundabout way of swapping opium (which ruined their economy in some areas due to heavy addiction rates) for their tea. A kind of silver recycling program that ultimately caused the opium wars when China realized what was going on. In the wake of this, the British, who didn’t want to buy tea from the Dutch, founded tea plantations across several regions of India. With this amazing history of tea growing, the Assam area has developed impressively from an area with unruly immigrant tea plantation workers and problems with hybrids in the 19th century to modern day controlled and well-managed estates.
Following the development of the now standard Camellia Assamica, named after the area, tea growing became more organized and the Assam name became synonymous with a fine black tea with particular flavors and aromas that are associated with the hybridized plant and the unique soil and climate conditions that the plantations are grown in. Assam is now the largest producer of tea from and single region worldwide.
The tea crop in Assam is harvested twice a year; Assam Gold Rain Black Tea is produced from the second “flush” (harvest) of the year when the leaves are a more golden color (hence the name). The second flush produces a harvest of lighter and more delicately flavored tea and is the preferred leaf amongst those who savor the drinking of this fine beverage. As with all black teas, the health benefits include improved general vascular wellness, reduced cholesterol and improved dental health.
In appearance this tea is dark leaved with fiery golden/orange tips. The leaves are long and sturdy and produce a malty but fruity flavor when steeped. The higher than usual tannin content in this hybrid leaves a slight aftertaste which complements the fruitiness. When brewed correctly this tea is full bodied and has a deep amber color to it.
You can get Assam Gold Rain from Teavana.
Score: 7.5/10
