How to Brew Black Tea: The Perfect Cup of Assam

Ahhhhhhssam. Black tea offers a robust, energizing start to the day, and you can’t beat the rich, pure flavor or our new ORGANIC INDIA Purely Assam Black Tea! Full-bodied and beautifully malty, our Single Origin, ethically sourced tea is steeped in benefits as well as taste. 

If you’re wondering how to brew black tea, you’ve come to the right place. Below we will explore best method for plain, latte and steamer varieties of this iconic classic. Lower in caffeine than coffee, Assam Black Tea can provide a more gradual, sustained energy boost and alertness than alternatives. Best of all, the bold flavor is more than just delicious—it’s an experience.

Our ORGANIC INDIA teas are proof that convenience need not compromise quality. Regenerative Organic Certified®, Purely Assam Black tea leaves are mindfully sourced, handpicked from lush, organic tea gardens of Assam, India. Our regenerative farming practices go beyond sustainability to include harmonious promotion of comprehensive soil fertility management, seed collection, composting, water management, animal welfare, biological diversity and more. All of this comes through with every sip.

How to Brew Black Tea

It goes without saying that how to brew black tea is a science and an art. You may be surprised to know, even brewing a cup of tea from tea bags has its own nuances. If you like your tea straight up with no add-ins, here are the instructions to prepare the perfect cup of plain Assam black tea. 

Plain Black Tea

Ingredients

• 1 ORGANIC INDIA Purely Assam Black tea 
• 6-8 oz. of water, boiling
• Lemon for garnish, optional

Method

1. While your water boils, add 1 teabag to your teacup
2. Pour your water over your tea bags as soon as it’s boiled. Brewing close to boiling point will optimize the strong flavor.
3. Allow your tea bags to steep for at least 2-3 minutes before removing the bag (we recommend 3-5 minutes). While it steeps, keep it covered with a saucer or teacup cover to retain the volatile oils for a more robust flavor and aroma.
4. Even after removing the tea bags, allow the tea to cool just slightly, another 2 minutes if possible. As the temperature reduces, the flavors will develop even further. Enjoy your perfect cup! 

Tea Lattes vs. Steamers

While plain black tea can provide the most energizing feel, sometimes there’s nothing like adding a little creaminess to really soothe and lift the day. You may add a little plant milk or go for something more indulgent, like a tea latte or steamer. These two popular beverages are so similar in flavor, they can almost be mistaken for one another, but with distinct differences in preparation.

• Tea latte: For a tea latte, prepare a double-strength cup of tea, then top with warm, steamed, and optionally frothed milk. 
• Tea steamer: To make a tea steamer, first prepare a tea-based simple syrup or concentrate. Top a few tablespoons of the cooled syrup in a mug with warm, steamed, optionally frothed plant milk.

While most simple syrups recommend using 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of liquid, we like to make much less, using coconut sugar. The important thing to remember is the 1-1 ratio of strong brewed tea and liquid. Using just ¼ Cup of coconut sugar and ¼ Cup of water, you will have ample syrup for multiple beverages, while those trace nutrients from the sweetener and the nutrients in the tea will protect against the crash from most sugary drinks.

However you choose to enjoy, you’ll surely find our new Purely Assam Black to be tea-rific!

Simple tea latte

Per 1

Ingredients

• 2 ORGANIC INDIA Purely Assam Black tea bags
• ¾ Cup to 1 Cup freshly boiled water
• ¾ Cup unsweetened plant milk of choice

Method

1. Steep ORGANIC INDIA Purely Assam Black tea bags in a mug for 3-5 minutes. Remove the bags.
2. While the tea is steeping, warm your milk in a saucepan on low heat, stirring or whisking continuously. When the milk is beginning to bubble, froth if desired. Alternatively, if you have a steam wand from your expresso machine, you may steam and froth the milk with that instead. Pour over the brewed tea.

Simple tea steamer

Per 1

Ingredients

• 2-3 Tablespoons simple syrup (see below) or to taste
• 1 Cup unsweetened plant milk of choice
• Add 2-3 Tablespoons (or to taste) of tea syrup to a serving mug.

Method

1. Warm your milk in a saucepan on low heat, stirring or whisking continuously. 
2. When the milk is beginning to bubble, froth if desired. 
3. Pour over the syrup and give a light stir before enjoying.

Simple syrup

Ingredients

• 1 – 2 ORGANIC INDIA Purely Assam Black tea bags
• ¼ Cup freshly boiled water 
• ¼ Cup coconut sugar

Method

1. In a liquid measuring cup, steep the ORGANIC INDIA tea bags in the boiled water for 3-5 minutes. 
2. Remove the bags and ensure that you have ¼ Cup strong tea, adding a little boiled water if needed.
3. Combine the tea concentrate and the coconut sugar in a small saucepan. 
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. 
5. Simmer for a few minutes to thicken slightly. 
6. Remove from heat and let cool.

And that’s how to brew black tea! Love this classic soother? If you are looking for a floral or spiced kick, try Rose Tea Latte with Easy Date Caramel Drizzle or Golden Chai Latte with Tulsi Turmeric Chai.