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Applause CTC Assam Summer Black Tea, 340gm /12oz

  • Applause CTC Assam Summer Black Tea, 340gm /12oz

The 3-second version

  • Second flush harvest during peak summer for concentrated flavor
  • CTC processing delivers fast infusion and high caffeine
  • Malty, full-bodied profile that stands up to milk
  • High tannin content produces noticeable astringency
  • Not suited to low-temperature or cold brewing
  • Loses character if understeeped

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Second flush CTC black tea from Upper Assam estates

Most loose-leaf teas ask you to slow down, measure carefully, and coax out complexity. CTC Assam does the opposite: it brews fast, tastes assertive, and gives you the caffeinated jolt you actually want at six in the morning. The usual leaf-grade Assams can be fussy about timing; this one forgives you and still delivers a proper cup.

The difference is in the processing. Crush-tear-curl creates more surface area, so flavor and caffeine flood out in minutes instead of requiring a careful steep. If you drink tea to wake up or you grew up adding milk, this is the version that makes sense—strong enough to matter, consistent enough to trust, and forgiving enough to become routine.

Good gift when

  • People who drink strong, milky tea every morning
  • Anyone who wants maximum caffeine without coffee
  • Fans of traditional Assam character and briskness
  • Households that go through tea quickly

Skip it if You prefer delicate, nuanced teas or dislike astringency—CTC Assam is built for boldness, not subtlety, and the tannins are front and center.

Specs

Weight
340 grams (12 oz)
Tea type
CTC black tea
Origin
Upper Assam, India
Harvest
Second flush (summer)
Caffeine level
High
Form
Loose-leaf granules

What's included

  • 340 grams loose-leaf CTC black tea

If you're giving it

  • No sizing to guess

Ships in a sealed foil package; transfer to a tea tin for gifting.

The details

This is CTC Assam at its most characteristic—harvested during the second flush when summer heat concentrates flavor, then processed through crush-tear-curl machinery that breaks cell walls and accelerates infusion. The result is a tea that brews dark and strong in under four minutes, with the malty backbone and astringent finish Assam is known for.

The leaves come from Upper Assam estates where altitude and monsoon timing produce the boldest expression of the region's terroir. CTC processing creates small, uniform granules that release tannins and caffeine quickly, making this well-suited to milk-based preparations or to anyone who drinks tea for the wake-up effect as much as the flavor.

Brew it hot with boiling water for three to five minutes. The liquor turns deep amber-red and delivers a brisk, full-bodied cup with enough structure to stand up to milk and sugar without losing character. Steeping longer intensifies the astringency; shorter times yield a smoother but still robust profile. This is morning tea for people who want their caffeine direct and their flavor unapologetic.

Each 340-gram package holds enough for several dozen cups, depending on how heavily you dose. The granules stay fresh in an airtight container away from light and moisture. Because CTC teas are shelf-stable and forgiving, you can measure by eye once you know your preferred strength. No special equipment required—a basic infuser or even a fine-mesh strainer works fine.

Pure summer-harvest leaves processed for bold, brisk morning cups

$17.99$19.9910% offat vahdam.com

Ships and sold by Vahdam Teas. About this merchant

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Questions

How much tea should I use per cup?
Start with one teaspoon of the CTC granules per eight-ounce cup and adjust based on how strong you like it. Because the pieces are small and dense, a little goes further than whole-leaf teas.
Does this tea need milk, or can I drink it plain?
You can drink it plain, but the high tannin content makes it quite astringent on its own. Adding milk softens the briskness and brings out the malty notes, which is how CTC Assam is traditionally enjoyed.
What is CTC processing?
CTC stands for crush, tear, curl. The leaves are passed through cylindrical rollers that break them into small, uniform granules. This increases surface area and speeds up infusion, producing a bolder, faster-brewing cup than whole-leaf methods.
How should I store this tea?
Keep it in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture. CTC teas are quite stable, but exposure to air will gradually dull the flavor and aroma over time.
Can I use this for iced tea or cold brew?
CTC teas are designed for hot brewing and release tannins quickly, which can turn bitter if cold-steeped. For iced tea, brew it hot and concentrated, then pour over ice immediately.

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