05.01.2009 : Tea of the Month for May – Assam Estate T.G.F.O.P.
Tea: Black
Flavor: Strong, Malty
Single-Origin: India
In the Cup:
A tea brimming with body and flavor. Assam Estate T.F.G.O.P. rewards the drinker with a deep malt taste, and a rich smooth nature. This tea sparkles as a morning cup, and is perfect to enjoy with milk, or brewed strong and taken straight.
Note the well-twisted leaves, a result of strictly using a natural wither upon the day's harvest, giving a better balance of the flavor and pungency of the final cup.
What does "T.G.F.O.P." stand for?
The rare grade T.G.F.O.P. is the best there is, and stands for:
- "Tippy Golden" – a distinct bright color on the edges and ends of the most succulent young leaves.
- "Flowery Orange Pekoe" – anglicized words from the 17th century Chinese tea trade that refer only to the choice large leaf size, and has nothing to do with flowers or oranges.
Our Assam Estate T.G.F.O.P. is grown in the Assam valley, nestled between the snow-clad mountains of Tibet and the wilds of tropical Burma. This is elephant country, with tea estates adjacent to rich game preserves. After lying dormant for the cold winter, the tea bushes (descendants of the only wild tea ever discovered outside China) come to life and begin putting out tender young leaves. This tea is harvested by hand during March and April, before the summer monsoons sweep through the valley, as the warm and moist monsoon climate would push the tea plants into hyper-growth, greatly increasing yield but diluting the flavor.
