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INDIAN BREAKFAST

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RED (BLACK) TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE

India

Indian Breakfast is a blended red tea composed of selected teas from India, representing a structured and traditional breakfast style. It is produced through careful blending of different regional components, balancing strength, body, and aromatic clarity. The infusion is full and robust, offering pronounced malty notes, gentle sweetness, and a clean, satisfying finish suitable for daily drinking. MORE

AROMA
Floral, fruity
TASTE
Woody, berries

AUTHOR: Sharyn Johnston
HARVEST: Spring, 2022
Observing dry leaves of Indian Breakfast blended red tea close-up
ABOUT
Indian Breakfast is a blended red tea developed by Sharyn Johnston, composed of selected teas from key producing regions of India. The blend is designed to represent a classic and structured interpretation of Indian red tea, combining different regional characteristics into a cohesive and consistent profile. This approach reflects both the diversity of Indian tea production and the intention to create a reliable daily tea.

The component teas are produced using traditional red tea processing methods, including withering, rolling, full oxidation, and drying, with variations depending on origin and producer. Through professional blending, these elements are carefully balanced to achieve a harmonious combination of strength, body, and smoothness. The process ensures stability while preserving the essential qualities associated with Indian tea.

Indian Breakfast is intended as a versatile tea suitable for both Western brewing with longer infusions and Eastern methods involving multiple shorter infusions. It is also well suited for milk-based preparation, where its structure and body remain clearly defined. The result is a tea that offers both accessibility and a clear expression of classic Indian red tea character, appreciated by both newcomers and experienced tea lovers.

TERROIR
Indian Breakfast is composed of teas sourced from key producing regions of India, including areas such as Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri. These regions differ significantly in climate and elevation, ranging from lowland tropical plains to high-altitude mountain environments. This diversity contributes to a wide spectrum of raw material characteristics, from strong and full-bodied to more refined and aromatic profiles.

Assam is characterized by a warm, humid climate with heavy rainfall and fertile alluvial soils, producing teas with strong structure and pronounced body. Darjeeling, located at higher elevations, offers cooler temperatures, frequent mist, and slower leaf development, resulting in more delicate and aromatic material. The Nilgiri region provides a balanced environment with moderate altitude and stable climate, supporting year-round production with clean and consistent characteristics.

The integration of these different terroirs within the blend creates a balanced profile where strength, brightness, and smoothness are harmonized. The environmental diversity allows for a combination of depth and clarity, resulting in a tea that is both structured and versatile, suitable for a wide range of preparation styles.

ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaf appearance is consistent and well-processed, with medium to large rolled leaves in dark brown to black tones. The aroma of the dry leaves is pronounced and structured, showing notes of malt, cocoa, and a subtle dried fruit sweetness. In a preheated teapot, the tea gradually opens, and the aroma becomes warmer and more robust, revealing baked bread, caramel, and a gentle spicy nuance. After a brief rinse, the leaves fully awaken, and the aroma gains clarity and depth, combining strong malty notes with light fruit and a smooth, warm richness.

The aroma of the liquor in the empty cup is expressive and stable, with noticeable malty sweetness and a faint cocoa trace. The taste is full-bodied and well-structured, with a firm, rounded texture and a clear, defined profile. From the first sips, pronounced maltiness emerges, supported by gentle sweetness and light fruit nuances, with moderate astringency that adds structure without harshness. The profile remains stable and насыщенный across multiple infusions, offering both strength and balance. The aftertaste is clean and moderately long, leaving a lingering sweetness with a slightly brisk, refreshing sensation. In the empty cup after drinking, notes of malt, light caramel, and a subtle cocoa nuance remain.
Admiring visual appearance of Indian Breakfast tea blend before brewing
Placing Indian Breakfast tea leaves into a preheated teapot
Brewing first infusion of Indian Breakfast tea and observing leaf opening
Evaluating deep amber color of Indian Breakfast tea liquor in a fairness cup
Observing fully opened leaves of Indian Breakfast tea blend after multiple infusions
Drinking Indian Breakfast tea and assessing full-bodied texture and structured taste
RED (BLACK) TEA
Explore more Red (Black) Teas from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.