Assam tea is named after the province in India, where it is grown. In Europe, it is called "Irish tea for breakfast." This drink is strong and tart, therefore it invigorates and tones well, and in addition, it has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.
Material Content:
Indian black tea Assam - description and composition
This large leaf variety is obtained from the tea leaves of the Assamese tree. In nature, it can grow up to 20 m, but on tea plantations its height is no more than 2 m.
Assamese trees are grown in northeast India in the province of Assam. It is this region that leads in the cultivation of tea. Products from here are exported to all countries of the world, but mainly to Europe.
Note. Assam is popular in the UK as breakfast tea.
Tea leaves are harvested 2 times a year: in the spring-summer and autumn-winter periods. Raw materials collected in the summer are most valued, since the leaves obtained at this time are juicy and small in size. Elite varieties of the drink are made from them.
The price and quality of tea is also affected by the place of growth. Upper Assam has a more suitable climate, so raw materials are used for expensive varieties. In lower Assam small and medium leaf tea is made. But in spite of everything, all tea leaves and buds are collected by hand. Only young raw materials are selected for production.
Composition of Assam tea:
- antioxidants;
- tannins;
- caffeine;
- phenols;
- phytoestrogens;
- flavonoids;
- tannins;
- organic acids;
- B and C vitamins;
- minerals;
- essential oils.
These components are in the composition and provide the beneficial properties of the drink.
Taste features of the drink
Description of tea Assam says that it belongs to the varieties of the highest category. In terms of taste, this variety of the drink stands out from all black Indian teas for its rich taste and aroma. Assam black tea is astringent and viscous, but there is no bitterness in it. It is stronger than Chinese varieties, but softer than Ceylon.
Assam's peculiarity is a honey-malt finish with a menthol hint.
After brewing, the drink acquires a reddish-brown hue. This color indicates its strength. The tea turns out to be thick, and its aroma contains fruit and berry and floral notes.
Varieties of tea
There are several varieties of black tea that differ in taste characteristics:
- Gold is one of the best grades;
- Assam Bari - an elite variety with malt and spicy notes;
- Harmutti - has a more pronounced tart taste;
- Mokalbari - has a honey tint;
- Mangalam premium - consists of more gold buds;
- I dyu - its distinctive feature is a pronounced fruity taste, the drink has a red-golden color;
- Raidang - has a red tint, it tastes like expensive cognac;
- Jamguri - has an aroma with notes of dried fruits and a ruby hue.
How to choose Assam tea, which is better?
The quality of raw materials can be determined by the type of tea leaves. Leaves should be tightly twisted, medium sized with golden streaks. The color of the tea leaves is uniform.
Important. You should never buy Assam bags. This is a low grade variety.
In the market you can find Assam of different brands, but which is better? Of course, products manufactured in India should be preferred. This is Newby or Meleng. But to get this tea is hard and the price is appropriate.
But there are substitutes that are made from second-class raw materials.
- First of all, this is Ahmad.
- You can meet Assam Harmutti and Dzhanguri Austrian production. This is Greenfield, Assam 17.
- The budget option is Assam tea from Kazakhstan. Taste characteristics of such a drink are at a high level.
Of course, the one who drank a real Indian Assam will feel the differences in the taste and aroma of drinks. But in the absence of capabilities, the above counterparts are a very worthy alternative.
The health benefits of the drink
The main beneficial properties of tea:
- Tones up and invigorates. This property provides caffeine in the composition. A cup of strong tea in the morning helps to wake up and stimulates mental activity.
- It has an antioxidant effect. This is the most important property of tea. Thanks to the phenols in the composition, the drink protects cells from free radicals and prevents the appearance of cancer. It is noted that the likelihood of ovarian cancer in women and lung cancer in men is reduced.
- Positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Tea strengthens blood vessels, increases the tone of their walls. The flavonoids in the composition reduce cholesterol and cleanse the bloodstream, which reduces the likelihood of atherosclerotic plaques and heart attacks.
- Slows down the aging process. Reduces the likelihood of Parkinson's disease.
- Improves metabolic processes.
Assam is useful even during pregnancy, but it should not be brewed tightly. It increases the level of calcium in the body, strengthens bone tissue and boosts immunity.
You can not drink more than 5 cups of tea per day, as well as drink it before bedtime, otherwise you will not be able to fall asleep.
Basic brewing recommendations
The saturation of taste and the notes prevailing in the drink depend on the duration of the infusion. On average, 4 to 5 minutes is enough to brew quality tea. If you plan to drink it with milk, then you can extend the infusion up to 7 minutes.
Important. You can not drink a drink that brews for more than 30 minutes. The cardiovascular system may be affected.
Recommendations:
- use porcelain or glassware;
- pour the tea leaves with freshly boiled water at a temperature of 80 - 90ºС;
- Before pouring tea leaves with boiling water, you need to warm the kettle.
For one serving, 1 tsp. tea leaves.
Assam Indian tea is combined with milk, honey, mint, thyme and lemon, but in this case it is impossible to feel a pleasant aftertaste. So that the tea leaves do not lose their taste, it must be stored in a closed glass or tin container.
To whom is Assam tea contraindicated?
The drink contains caffeine, so it should not be drunk with high blood pressure. If tea is consumed in large volumes, then a headache, nervousness, irritability may appear, and impaired functioning of the nervous system is not excluded.
Women should drink no more than 1 - 2 cups a day, and men 2 - 4 cups.
If you follow all the recommendations, Assam tea will delight you with its amazing taste and bring only benefits to the body.
