Meleng Assam

Tasting Notes:

Assam black tea is famous for one thing above all: bold, malty richness. This Second Flush FTGFOP1 from Meleng Estate delivers exactly that, along with a complexity that sets it apart from typical Assam teas. Established in 1852 on the banks of the Meleng River in Assam's Upper Brahmaputra Valley, Meleng is one of India's oldest tea gardens, and this loose leaf Assam is harvested from the estate's rare P126 clonal varieties. It has dark brown-black leaves generously threaded with bright golden tips.

In the cup, a rich copper-brown liquor opens with deep, classic Assam malt and unfolds into layers of bittersweet cocoa, honeyed sweetness, and subtle stone fruit. Mid-palate the tea develops hints of Burgundy wine and oak, followed by a soft cocoa finish with a delicate touch of spice. The texture is velvety, the mouthfeel rounded and satisfying, and the finish lingers with a gentle astringency that frames the cup beautifully.

Lively yet structured, rich yet approachable, and equally wonderful on its own or with a splash of milk, this is one of the best Assam teas we have ever carried and a proud addition to our Origin Reserve Collection.

Features:

• Origin: Meleng Estate, Upper Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India
• Cultivar: P126 Clonal
• Grade: FTGFOP1 (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, 1st Grade)
• Style: Single Estate Assam Black Tea
• Harvest: Summer 2025 (Second Flush)
• Caffeine: High
• Ingredients: Black Tea (Camellia Sinensis)
• Lifestyle-Friendly: Vegan, Paleo, Keto

Ingredients: black tea

What Makes Assam Black Tea Special?

Assam is the largest tea-growing region in the world, stretching along the Brahmaputra River valley in northeastern India, and its black teas are prized globally for their bold, malty character and full body. The region's low elevation, tropical heat, high humidity, and rich alluvial soil create growing conditions found nowhere else on earth, producing the robust loose leaf black teas that anchor breakfast blends worldwide.

A single estate Assam like this one is a different experience from a blend. Rather than being mixed with leaves from dozens of gardens, every leaf in this tea comes from Meleng Estate alone, expressing the specific character of its soil, climate, and craft. 

What Is FTGFOP1?

FTGFOP1 stands for Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, 1st Grade, the highest classification in the Assam grading system. The "tippy" designation refers to the high proportion of golden tips in the leaf, which come from the youngest, most tender buds and are a direct indicator of careful, selective hand-plucking. The "1" denotes exceptional quality within that already elite category. What it means for your cup is an Assam black tea with depth, clarity, and complexity that lower-grade teas simply cannot offer.

Second Flush Assam: Why It Matters

The second flush is Assam's summer harvest, and it is widely considered the finest of the season. Where first flush teas are lighter and more delicate, second flush Assam delivers the bold, full bodied, malty character the region is famous for. The combination of heat, humidity, and slower leaf development during the summer months concentrates the natural sweetness and aromatic depth in the leaf. This lot from Meleng Estate is a textbook example of why second flush Assam has earned its legendary reputation.

Meleng Estate: One of India's Oldest Tea Gardens

Meleng Estate was founded in 1852, making it one of the oldest continuously operating tea gardens in India. Nestled in Assam's Upper Brahmaputra Valley on the banks of the Meleng River, the estate sits adjacent to a World Heritage gibbon sanctuary, surrounded by fertile tropical soil, abundant rainfall, and high humidity. Some of its plantations are over a century old, and its rare clonal cultivars produce leaves with the strength, malty depth, and aromatic richness that define great Assam tea.

Leaves are hand-plucked from the estate's clonal varieties, then withered, rolled, oxidized, and carefully dried to highlight Meleng's signature style. Every stage of production, from selective harvesting to post-oxidation drying, is managed to preserve a standard of quality the estate has upheld for more than 170 years.

How to Brew Assam Black Tea

Western Brew
Use 1 teaspoon (approximately 2 grams) of loose leaf per 8 oz of water at 212°F and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Start at 3 minutes for a brighter, more nuanced cup, or go to 5 for full depth and body. This Assam is robust enough to stand up to milk and sugar beautifully, though it is equally satisfying on its own.

A classic morning black tea with the depth to satisfy any time of day.