"Thitherflit" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I've had two or three EXCITING Assams from Uptons before.

The one I remember most was "Assam FTGFOP1 SPL CL" from Mangalam
Estate (OR-575). It was *so* complex and spicy!

AND it was THICK: Help me with this. The tea was *thick* in my
mouth, as if it had some magic extra ingredient. This quality was not
hard to brew for: a light infusion, a strong infusion, they both had
this quality. I've had lots of Assams, and this was not simply
"malt."

This tea was just under $16/lb. When I fiished it off (in early
2007), I tried ordering more. It was all gone. I got a different lot
from the same estate, around the same price, but it wasn't organic (so
I know it was a different lot), and it was fine tea... but not the
dazzler I had had!

Any current recommendations of Assams you have found amazing?

Oh, and, I've read some rather uncomplimentary reviews on Upton's web-
pages... negative enough that I don't think Upton's was censoring
stuff. Remember, though, that it is likely most reviews will be
positive: Would *you* waste time writing a review of something you
weren't excited about?


Sorry, didn't address your Assams...I haven't had any for awhile now, I've
been gravitating more towards da hong paos and Ying de hongs, but I remember
really liking assams from Orangajuli estate. But that was last year or
possibly summer before last even. Also there was an assam from Greenwood
estate that I got from Simpson and Vail years ago that I really liked. Old
information though. I guess your best bet might be to do that sample thing
and then try them quick when you get them so the one you like doesn't sell
out before you order more.

I think I might have overdone them at one point, or maybe just overdone
"regular" ones, my palate got worn out and they started to taste almost the
same.

Melinda