How to Brew Assam Black Tea – A Quick and Easy Guide [+Recipes]

Although black tea is considered the strongest type of tea, it will not be bitter when properly brewed. It is the easiest tea to brew though, and one common variant is Assam. How to brew Assam black tea then? Let’s find out through this article.

But before that, it would be better if we learn some facts about Assam Black tea first. 

 What is Assam Black Tea?

Assam tea is a black tea that originates in the Indian region of Assam, hence its name. Generally, this tea is robust, very strong, and malty.

 Brewing the tea is very easy and considered a great drink when paired with milk. It can be a bit sweet with nuts and chocolate notes though frequently described by some as robust and bitter.

This black tea remains a new tea despite its availability and popularity in the region.

 It is notable to tea lovers for its rich color, distinctive taste, and deep aroma. While it is easy to find, higher qualities are accessible online or in specialty tea shops. 

How long to Steep Assam Tea?

• Assam tea is a bold, robust black tea that does best with a longer steeping time.

• Use water that is freshly boiled, around 195°F to 205°F. This helps extract the most flavor.

• Add about 1 tablespoon of loose leaf Assam tea per 8 oz cup of water. Use slightly more tea for stronger flavor.

• Steep the tea for 5-7 minutes. This long steeping allows the bold taste to fully develop.

• You can reuse the tea leaves to steep a second pot. Quickly rinse the leaves in hot water first. Then steep the second pot for 3-4 minutes only.

• Add milk, sugar, lemon, or spices like cardamom or cinnamon to complement the malty, brisk Assam tea.

• If using tea bags, steep for the lower end of the time range, about 5 minutes. The tea has less room to expand in bags.

• Always taste the tea after the recommended steeping time and adjust to your preference. Steep an extra minute or two if you want more intensity.

• Avoid steeping Assam tea too long, past 7-8 minutes, as it can become bitter and astringent.

Following these tips will allow the rich, bold character of Assam tea to shine through perfectly. The longer steeping time is key to getting the full flavor.

What Can You Get from Assam Black Tea? 

There are many Assam black tea benefits every tea lover should know. Here are some of the advantages you can get from this tea:

1. Promotes General Health 

Many research studies prove the significant contribution of an antioxidant-rich diet to a healthier and longer life.

As a natural source of antioxidants, drinking tea leads you to a happy life. Regular tea polyphenols intake helps mitigate inflammation and protects cells from further damage.

 Polyphenols are unlikely to manifest side effects and while it lessens calorie intake, it turns fats into energy, and then lowers fat accumulation.

Tea consumption helps prevent disease and boosts the immune system. It protects cell tissues from premature aging and damage.

It lessens oxidative stress-associated diseases including anxiety disorder, Parkinson’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, mental imbalance, etc.

2. Lowers Blood Sugar

People having type-2 diabetes would greatly benefit from drinking black tea. It helps lower their blood sugar and strengthen their status of insulin.

Studies cited at the International Journal of Health Sciences show the correlation between lower diabetes cases and black tea drinking. 

3. Regulates High Blood Pressure

Long-term black tea consumption results in a significant difference in blood pressure.

This lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by nearly 7-10%. Thus, Assam black tea mitigates high blood pressure and lessens the risk of cardiovascular-related mortality.

4. Reduces Cancer Risk

Assam black tea comes with an anticancer property polyphenol that helps prevent and potentially treat cancer. Polyphenol lessens the risk of some types of cancer such as lung, breast, and skin. 

5. Protects Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

Black tea influences the brain cells when it comes to focus and alertness.

It protects people from diseases associated with aging. According to some research, drinking three cups of this tea daily reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. 

6. Strengthens Mental Awareness

Thanks to the L-theanine amino acid content of black tea, it is referred to as food for the brain.

The anti-anxiolytic properties of L-theanine boost alpha waves in the brain when consumed alongside EGCG and caffeine. People taking Assam tea may stay alert for a longer period even with no sleep at all. 

Assam Tea Brewing Time

Unlike Chinese teas, Assam is best brewed once. The best way to brew this tea is through the use of freshly boiled spring water. However, there are loose leaves of Assam tea that can yield three or more delicious infusions.

Pick orange pekoe black tea or Assam CTC if you’re into the strongest cup with robust brisk and most caffeine flavor. 

Now, the next thing you would want to try then is how to brew Assam black tea.

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How to Brew Assam Black Tea

Use freshly filtered water and a teapot or kettle to experience Assam tea’s full flavors and depth. A spoon and teabag are all you need to brew with tea bags.

But if you would want traditional brewing of loose leaf, use an infuser mug or a glass teapot to filter out the leaves.    

Discover how to brew Assam black tea through the following steps and tips:

• Preheat the teapot to develop the right, perfect flavor. The preheated teapot keeps the temperature of the water high throughout the process.

• This will bring out all dry tea leaves’ scents. You will then fully enjoy all senses.

• Boil fresh water then allow it to cool down for two seconds. You may use cooler water to make black tea. 

• This allows you to experiment with its temperatures so you could come up with the perfect flavor.

• A teaspoon of black tea leaves would be enough for brewing. This is especially true for the western style of brewing. You may add more depending on the strength you want.

• For more caffeine, try using small broken leaves. These leaves will easily release more caffeine. Most wakening and breakfast blends use the small broken leaf of a grade tea. 

• You may leave the leaves steep and then infuse them into the water around 4-5 minutes. Never over boil so that their tannins will not produce a harsh and bitter taste.

• Water temperature and steeping time can influence the cups of tea that you can get from the loose leaf teas. 

• The tannins of black teas likely stain the teaware so better clean it immediately every after use. Generally, the teaware must not be washed in a dishwasher. 

• Try using glazed teapots as an alternative to one teapot for every type of tea. Unglazed teapots tend to collect the flavor from the previous loose-leaf teas, especially flavored teas or black teas.

• Add a teaspoon or two of a sweetener or white sugar to taste. You may add non-dairy milk if that’s your preference.

• Adding sugar or milk directly to the teapot is a no, no. You can prevent this by straining the leaves first.

• Lower the temperature of your brewing if the tea contains whiter or greener leaf parts. This denotes the partial oxidation of the tea. Fully oxidized tea leaves have a darker or lighter brown color. So before brewing, check the oxidation level of the wet tea leaves.

• Use more leaves if you opt to brew black iced tea otherwise, its flavor will just get lost easily. 

Assam Black Tea Recipe

Make a proper Assam tea (hot and iced) with this recipe.

Preparation Time: 2 minutes

Steep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Course: Drinks

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water or more (for the teapot to warm for the hot tea)
• 1 ½ teaspoon of Assam loose tea

Equipment:

• Electric kettle
• Water filter
• teapot

Instructions:

• Set an electric kettle to 208 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the water to warm up the teapot. It would be best to use filtered water. 
• Pour hot water into the teapot and slowly a bit around. Drain the water.
• Put some Assam tea into the teapot then pour hot water.
• Cover the teapot then steep it for 5 minutes.
• Strain the tea leaves and add hot tea into the teacup.

Cold Brew Assam Tea

Experience how to make Assam black tea in a cold blend.

• Pour the Assam tea and let it cool or put room temperature water in a glass container or pitcher. Use filtered water to come up with an iced tea with a better taste.
• Put the pitcher inside the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.
• Strain the leaves then pour the tea into your cup.

*Adding ice is only an option because the tea is already cold.

How to Make Assam Tea with Milk

Did you know that you can prepare Assam milk tea from scratch at home? You can even customize it with more sweetener or milk depending on how sweet or creamy you would want it to taste.

Learn how brew assam tea and try this Assam black milk tea recipe:

Preparation Time: 5 minutesCourse: DrinksYield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup warm Assam tea, which will serve as the base of the milk tea. Follow the instructions in the packaging for the tea preparation.
• 1 cup of cream or milk (you may lower or increase the amount depending on your preference).
• Ice
• 1 cup of cooked tapioca pearls (optional) 

Things to prepare:

• Two tall glasses

Instructions:

• Prepare the glasses and place ½ cup tapioca pearls in each glass.
• Pour ¾ cup Assam tea into the glasses. Add cream or milk and sweetener. You may add more or less of these ingredients as you desired.
• Mix well then add ice before serving. 

Spiced/Blended Assam Black Tea 

Here is another Assam milk tea recipe often prepared by breakfast tea lovers:

Preparation Time: 2 minutesCook Time: 10 minutesCourse: DrinkYield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1 star anise
• 2 cloves
• sliced ginger
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 tbsp. Assam tea leaves
• ¾ cup water (80% for a regular teacup)
• ½ cup milk (50% full for a regular teacup)
• Honey or sugar (optional)

Equipment:

• Pestle and mortar
• Teacup 

Instructions: 

• Crush and grind the spices except for ginger in pestle and mortar. Do this to impart the unique Assam black tea flavor and aroma with milk.
• Add water with the sliced ginger, tea leaves, and crushed spices in a saucepan. Boil the mixture while stirring it frequently with a wooden spoon.
• Add sugar and milk then continue stirring. Let all ingredients blend and simmer for two minutes.
• Its color will change from its milky hue to brown when it is ready. This requires you to remove the saucepan then strain the black tea into a mug or teapot. Your delicious milk tea is now for a good drink. 

Notes:

• Assam tea leaf blend that has dry spices adds briskness and a strong and spicy flavor to the milk tea. You may serve this in the morning or the evening.
• Avoid using water if you want your tea to be creamier.
• If you are adding a sweetener, make sure that you add it before milk. The milk will let your tea cool down, while the sweetener will not be properly dissolved.
• Also, you can be creative by garnishing cinnamon or natural tea leaf on the milk tea before serving.
•  Different spices and blends can add color and flavor to your tea. Choose which one fits your pallet.
• A cup of any of these milk tea recipes will surely rejuvenate and refresh you from your daily grind.

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