Assam Manjushree - Loose Leaf Tea

In our quest to source an exceptional breakfast tea, we've struck gold with this gorgeously strong orthodox loose-leaf brew from the acclaimed Manjushree Tea Estate in Assam, West Bengal - India. Boasting an abundance of golden tips, the small rolled black tea leaves of this Second Flush single-origin Indian tea deliver a powerful brew – and the uniquely delicious, malty flavour that Assam teas are famed for.

Offering a bright amber infusion with a full-bodied flavour, sweet caramel notes and a smooth mouthfeel, Assam Manjushree makes the perfect breakfast tea. Harvested in summer as part of Assam's revered second flush, it's an FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe) grade tea, meaning the loose leaf quickly brews into the most flavoursome tea. Best drunk with milk, it makes a delicious winter tea with anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic health benefits that may help your body through the challenging colder months.

Manjushree Tea Estate was founded in 1967 at an altitude of 600m – high compared with most Assam tea plantations, which sit at an average of around 50m. Occupying the lush green landscape of northeast India, the state of Assam is the largest tea-growing region in the world. This part of India experiences high precipitation during the monsoon period, with 250-300mm of rain per day.

The daytime temperature often rises to about 40C, creating greenhouse-like conditions of extreme humidity and heat – the tropical climate contributing to Assam's unique malty taste and making it one of the most popular breakfast brews in the world.

Among Assam's 800 tea estates, the 403-hectare Manjushree plantation stands out for its high-yields and excellent tippy teas, grown in an area of unspoilt natural beauty in the Sivasagar district. Bounded by the river Towkok on one side and a forest reserve on the other, Manjushree Tea Estate is also acclaimed for reintroducing orthodox tea production to Upper Assam.

Variations on this exceptional Indian black tea

Our Tea Shop offers plenty of examples of Assam's bold, malty style. If you're keen to try more exceptional Assam teas, we recommend a caddy of the Assam Mangalam, which has enticing caramel characters with a hint of spice or, if you're after a classic, you can't go wrong with either of our Assam Breakfast or Assam Thowra teas.

Discover Assam's rich history, geography and more Tea Makers blends made with this characterful leaf in our Tea Journal. A bold breakfast tea deserves serving ware to match; brighten your morning with our range of cheerful striped Cornishware.