swede wrote:
I am greatly enjoying my Teaspring China teas, but I also favor
Assams, so I am looking for recommendations for a source of fresh
Assams that is kind of like "the Teaspring of India teas" using
Teaspring as a benchmark for the kind of quality I am looking for. I
am currently enjoying some pretty inexpensive Ahmad Assam that I get
from Middle Eastern markets for my everyday work tea, but I know much
better Assam must be available for an affordable price. I have tried
Upton's and am ok with the tea I get for the price. Now I am ready to
move up a notch or two .

Some of the real top-grade Assams are available at Uptons, actually, and
pretty reasonably. I have been pleased with them.

If you're looking for a cheap assam from middle-eastern markets, try the
Sharzad or Gulabi brands... I think both are a cut above the Ahmad for
the same price.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."