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Loose leaf

Vahdam Assam Exotic Second Flush Loose Leaf

The base note in every English Breakfast. Here it stands alone.

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Form

Loose leaf

Leaf

Black

Brew temp

212°F

Steep time

3-5 min

The verdict

Where this pick fits.

Single-estate second flush from the Brahmaputra valley. Full-bodied, malty, deep amber in the cup. The base note in most English Breakfast blends — here it stands alone. Brews strong enough that milk is a suggestion, not a requirement.

The base note in every English Breakfast. Here it stands alone. It earned its spot in our lineup by solving the stage it's supposed to solve — without pretending to solve every stage after it.

Quick take

  • Best for: morning, milk tea, strong black
  • Format: Loose leaf
  • Leaf: Black
  • Caffeine: high

Best for

Where it earns its keep.

  • · morning
  • · milk tea
  • · strong black
  • · single-origin

Keep moving

Useful next clicks.

All black reviews Full-bodied. Boldly brewed. Built for the morning mug. All loose leaf The leaves alone. Tin, tongs, time. The brewing guide Temperature × time × leaf, in one chart.

House rule

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