There are some foods that were made to be consumed alongside a steaming cup of Assam tea. Toast with jam, Victoria sponge cake, a full English breakfast, even a cheese and ham toastie is drastically enhanced by a strong, malty cup of black tea to wash it down.
This week I am reviewing Vahdam Assam Exotic in teabag form. I’m currently working through the full range of Vahdam teas, so if this is a brand you are intrigued by, check out the other tea reviews here at Immortal Wordsmith.
In the review below, I’ll cover what this tea tastes like, my preferred method for brewing, a little info about the sourcing and company, and finally where to buy it online so you can taste it for yourself.
Vahdam Assam Exotic Tea at a Glance
Izzy’s Rating
- Origin: Assam, India
- Flavour: Smooth, malty and bright with rich undertones of spice
This is a luxurious-tasting tea! I really enjoyed the nuanced spice note that’s lurking beneath the leaves. The tannins are present but not bitter and it was delicious with and without milk.
Full Review – Vahdam Assam Black Tea
- Type: Tagged pyramid tea bag
- Tea: Second flush black tea
- Origins: Assam, India
- Flavour Notes: Clean tannins, smooth malt, bright, rich, natural spice complexity
- Aroma: Rich, tannins, malt, savoury cumin, naturally sweet
- Milk or Lemon: Milk, sugar if desired
- Where to Buy: Amazon
I love Assam tea and I’ve had quite a few exceptional ones in my time. I know that the best quality ones have unique and intense flavours – I’ve found notes of honey and almonds in one, even raspberry jam in another. The leaves bring out sweet and malty notes that can play into a huge array of different flavours. That’s how I knew Vahdam Assam Exotic tea was right up there in terms of quality when I opened the packet.
It smells rich. The tannins and malt are bright and strong, but there’s something unusual about it. There’s a savoury note lingering just out of reach. Cumin, perhaps?
It brews into a classic tea colour, with dark orange brown tones. The aroma is smoother, sweeter and loses that savoury note that had me so intrigued. Nonetheless, it still has all the hallmarks of a very good Assam.
The flavour is beautiful.
Tannins take centre stage on the first sip, but they’re clean rather than bitter. The malt lends a wonderful smoothness and body while maintaining a brightness that makes it a delight to drink without milk.
Nonetheless, it is slightly nicer with milk. The creaminess provides a contrast to the bold and boastful black tea.
The best part, however, is this slight hint of natural spice. It’s not hot, not savoury, and not particularly sweet, but it is present – a touch of something more complex hiding beneath the surface.
Drinking this tea feels like taking a luxury tea break.
How to Brew Assam Black Tea
To brew this Assam, you can follow Vahdam’s instructions precisely; I found them to be absolutely spot on.
Pop 1 teabag (or roughly 2g of loose leaf if you have that version of the product) into your mug and pour over 200ml of freshly boiled water. Let it steep for 3 minutes.
I found that a 3-minute steep was plenty long enough to get it strong enough for a splash of milk, but you can venture up to 5 minutes if you want some extra oomph.
Any milk will work well here (soy milk is my preference) and don’t be afraid to add a teaspoon of sugar if you want it to be extra decadent.
Assam is a classic breakfast tea as it pairs well with rich, fatty and carby foods. It is quite high in caffeine, however, so be careful drinking it too late in the afternoon if you’re sensitive.
Why Buy Tea from Vahdam?
Vahdam is a well-known tea brand based in India. They’re loved by Oprah, but even without the celebrity endorsement they have built a name for themselves in the industry. Most of their teas are available in loose leaf format or in pyramid shaped teabags that give plenty of space for the leaves to move around. You can tell from the packaging alone that they care about the tea drinking experience.
But when it comes to Assam Exotic, things get interesting.
Assam can refer to two things; a region in India where tea is grown, and a variety of the tea plant known as Camellia sinensis var. assamica. This variety of tea was produced and grown in the Assam region, hence the name. Attempts have been made to grow Assam tea plants in other countries (China, for example) but with very little success.
That’s why I find it so interesting that Vahdam lists the origins of their Assam Exotic tea as Darjeeling, a totally different region of India.
They describe this tea as a whole leaf tea with golden tips, harvested from the second flush of the tea plant. The flush is basically the harvesting season. The first flush is the earliest the tea can be harvested and for many teas produces the finest flavours. The second flush comes a little later.
Overall, I have no qualms with the quality or sourcing of this tea. It’s just a fun thing to learn about!
Summary
Vahdam Assam Exotic tea is a rich and characterful black tea that’s ideal for sipping with breakfast or other sweet and savoury snacks throughout the day. It has a beautiful flavour and can be made with or without milk.
Definitely worth a try if you’re in the market for a good Assam tea!
Tea Recommendation
Assam is one of the most popular teas and it’s found in all traditional English Breakfast blends. But if you are looking for teas that champion just Assam alone, then you’re spoilt for choice here at Immortal Wordsmith. If you want the best of the best, search for What-Cha. But if you want something delicious at a price you can stomach for an everyday drinker, check out Hampstead Assam Tea next.
