Organic Assam TGFOP Black Tea

Thanks to Arbor's sample sizes, I was able to try a wide assortment of organic tea types when I decided to move away from my morning coffee ritual. I realized that I'm a fan of the malty flavors of black tea, and that tea does not have to be astringent - even strong tea! This Assam is my favorite by far. I don't drink it every morning, but I have to have it on hand for a reliable, smooth cup, perfect (for me) with a little oat milk. The compostable packaging Arbor uses sealed the deal and made me a regular customer.

I'm a big fan of Assams and since I love Arbor, I really was excited to try their Assam. However, like another reviewer here, I prefer a maltier Assam and this Assam doesn't fit the bill for me. Like all Arbor Teas, it's a really elegant brew, it's just not the one for me.

This is my go-to tea. It always satisfies.

I'd say this is definitely much more on the coppery side than the malty side. As I prefer malty, I'm not sure I'll buy it again, but it has enough depth and fruity notes that I'll happily drink what I bought. If you don't like your tea bitter, steep this one closer to 3 minutes. 5 was too much for me.

I have tried every black tea under the sun (even the ridiculously pricey ones), and this tea just can't be beat. I like my black tea with a tiny bit of honey and milk, and there is something about the Assam TGFOP that makes it so perfect. I used to buy it at a chain coffee/tea house, but it wasn't organic, and that is very important to me. Thanks for bringing us so many great teas, Arbor!

This could be my favorite tea. I'm not enough of a connoisseur to detect coppery or malty notes, but its aroma is almost like a bouquet of wild flowers. (But subtle! Not too flowery.). Arbor teas, you're turning me into a person who drinks her tea without milk or honey, for the first time ever. Your teas are that smooth, flavorful, and refreshing. Especially this one.

I'm still a little newer to the wonderful world of organic loose teas, but I knew after trying a bunch of other teas from Arbor I needed to find out how the classic Assam in TGFOP grade plays. Remarkably creamy mouthfeel, not a shred of astringency or bitterness, malty, rich. I also add a 1/4 ratio of it to the masala chai. It is an absolutely perfect black tea.

I adored this. I felt like a classy lady drinking it and I liked the name. I also appreciated a taste of India in my tea collection. The flavor isn't as bitter to me as other black teas, I enjoyed it with and without honey.

I know you "real tea people" will hate me, but this Assam is amazing for making sweet tea. Really smooth and strong.

Finely twisted black leaves. Earthy sweet dry smell. Red brown infusion. Sweet smell infused. Malty rich, smooth, very little spice. No astringency. Easy drinking, simple rich black tea with light sweet flowery smell.

Very good, enjoyable

This is a very rich and dark tea. Wonderfully smooth not bitter at all.

This is so far my favorite black tea! I use it for brewing my kombucha and it works perfectly! Definitely sticking with this one for a while

I must say that the richness without bitterness of the taste has won me over! It's really smooth even when I brew it a little longer. It's excellent for milk tea. I don't even need sugar to cut the edge or anything! I can drink it like it is if I want. This is a great choice for simple rich black tea. Love it!

This is a strong, malty brew. I appreciate the slight coppery flavor. The best part is the scant flowery scent wafting over to me as the liquid steeps. Nice!

My new favorite breakfast tea. Robust, malty and so smooth! I always add a bit of sweet and milk to my breakfast teas and the Assam holds up beautifully to the additions without missing a beat.

This is my third time ordering this Assam and I still like it! It has a rich robust flavor, yet not too strong. I find a pinch of your lapsang added to it makes a fine morning cup.

Smell and taste whise there is a very fruity element.....to me at least. Its a smooth tea, very smooth and full bodied. I cant stress the word "Smooth" enough. Also very high caffiene.

This is my most go to of go to black teas. That does not mean I always want it, but it does mean that when nothing else in my collection is calling out to me, I am nearly always happy with this one. For me it is good from any time in the morning to midafternoon but not much later than that because it’s got too much caffeine kick for me any later than, say, 3:00 in the afternoon at the latest, and even that is probably too late in the day for it. My everyday tea for first thing in the morning is the Kenya black, which seems to have more caffeine than this, but if I were to run out of Kenya, I could drink this in the morning and be content. It’s certainly not as full bodied as I like a tea to be first thing in the morning, but it is sufficient. My guess is that for many people this would be the perfect morning tea and would have plenty of body for them. For me it is like a tumbled gemstone because it is smooth, well rounded and has no sharp edges.

This is a fantastic black tea! Love the malty wash it leaves. You gotta try it!

I am new to tea drinking, so I can't say I have tried every back tea there is (I am working on it). However, this Assam is my go to black tea right now. It has a little bit of a kick to it, almost a slight cool minty bite in the back of your throat as you drink it. I drink it exclusively iced, with a little bit of honey and lime juice, with the maximum allowed steep time (5 Min).

This is a nice straightforward black tea. Great flavor, and bold, it's very easy to drink. I like it in the morning when I want something simple to wake me up.

This tea was not on my last order, and I find that I miss it. It's a great afternoon tea - full bodied, but mellow at the same time. This probably will not be passed over on any of my future orders. I think it rates being an "every afternoon" tea, as Irish Breakfast is an "every morning tea.

Not my favorite assam ever, but still worth drinking. The flavor was good but lacked the full body I have found with other assams in the past. May try mixing with some more malty teas to round out the flavor.

Love this stuff. I'm sometimes a bit soft on drinking coffee or tea with no milk or sugar, but I'm completely happy drinking this straight. You do indeed get a nice maltiness that makes it a very satisfying tea. Nice alternative to coffee for a caffeine boost, and easy to drink a pot of.

Its a great tea. Taste is amazing, and has quite the kick caffeine wise.....drink it slow if you are sensitive like myself. Still it should be a staple in every black tea lovers cabinet

Much more robust and full flavored than most teas, I find it makes for a very good workhorse tea through the morning as I work. A little more pricey than some, but the flavor makes it a good value.

This is a great tea for any time of the day! Its hearty and full bodied flavor makes it a perfect accompaniment for a biscuit or crumpet or even can be drunk by itself!!!

This tea is great by itself but also makes a fantastic homemade Chai. We like it so much we've been buying this one in bulk!

This is a good hearty tea that can be enjoyed on its own or with any meal. For me it is less interesting than most other teas from Arbor more like the tea I grew up with only better.

Pretty strong character makes this tea a great deal. Appreciating the 'full-body'. Nice tannin. You can probably use less and stretch your tea dollar.

It's a delightful iced tea. One that both my husband and I agree is great hot or cold.