Dian Hong vs Assam
Two large-leaf black teas from the same botanical variety, on opposite sides of a border and with opposite astringency. The plants are close relatives and the processing is not, which is where the difference comes from.
tea
What is being compared
Point by point
| Aspect | Dian Hong | Assam |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Yunnan large-leaf assamica. | Assam large-leaf assamica — botanically very close. |
| Astringency | Low, which is the surprising part. | High and mouth-coating. |
| Flavour | Honey, sweet potato, malt, with a peppery lift. | Malt, raisin, cocoa. |
| With milk | Rarely, and it loses the sweetness. | Traditional. |
The short answer
Dian Hong is the answer for anyone who wants Assam’s body without its astringency. The plants are close relatives and the processing is not.
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