W-IN-010

Assam White

Large-bud lowland white, from Assam, India.

White tea

Assam White is strongest on sweetness, smoothness and honey. Typical tasting words: honey, malt, apricot, cream. Created by select heritage estates in Assam experimenting with low-temperature artisan production alongside traditional CTC blacks. A rare sight in Assam, offering a significantly maltier and broader mouthfeel than Chinese white teas.

Also known as Assam Silver Needles and Assam White Tea.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness4bitterness1astringency1umami0brightness1body3smoothness4aroma intensity3finish length3

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral2fruity2vegetal1marine0nutty1toasty0malty2honey4spicy0woody1earthy0smoky0creamy1citrus0stone fruit1tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Assam, India
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. assamica
Harvest: spring first flush
Elevation: low
Oxidation: 8 to 18%
Roast: unroasted
Leaf: bud and leaf
Price band: premium
Availability: specialist
Ageing: a little
Forgiving to brew: 5 of 5
L-theanine: moderate

Made by: selective plucking, then prolonged indoor withering, then slow warm drying.

Caffeine

A cup of Assam White carries a typical estimate of 38 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 to 50 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.

How to brew it

Method	Leaf	Water	Steeps
Western, 250 ml	3 g	80 to 88 °C	3 min, 4 min, 5 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	4 g	85 to 90 °C	25 s, 35 s, 50 s, 75 s, 100 s, 2.2 min
Cold brew, 250 ml	3 g	Fridge	8 to 12 hours

Up to 3 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
morning
afternoon
relaxing

Pairs with pastry, scones_cakes and poultry. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.