Ahmad Tea

Ahmad is my favorite bargain brand. A 100g tin is around $6. Some of their varieties can be found in a one pound box for less that $7. The bargain price isn’t important if it isn’t drinkable. This is actually quite pleasant. Enough bergamot to satisfy without overpowering. Not Earl Grey but closer than a lot of teas claiming the name that cost a whole lot more. Been craving their Darjeeling lately. Guess I need to clear a spot in my drawer.

I thought I would start today by going another steep with yesterday’s leaf. I really expected a lifeless cup that I would pour out after a few drinks. This is the 3rd steep of an inexpensive tea. Steeped 6 minutes with boiling water. When the cup is really hot it is a bit bland, but when the cup cools the flavor jumps out. It isn’t as bold as yesterday but then my first steep was way too long (4 minutes). I think if you keep the first cup at 3 minutes or less all three steeps would be pretty even. Ahmad is a champion at inexpensive blends. Worthy of a try.

It has been years since I’ve had this tea. I used to drink it in bag form. A co-worker brought in a loose leaf tin today. The dry leaf smells exquisite. There is a light touch of bergamot. I steeped about 2g of leaf for 4 minutes with boiling water. The wet leaf is fresh looking small torn pieces. There is a lot of green in the leaf which I am not used to seeing in a black tea. The aroma is leafy with fruity notes – like wine – and bergamot, though this is not an earl grey. The sip has a slight bite, and leaves a dry mouth feel, followed by a fruity aftertaste. I think a shorter brew time would be better. Second cup I steeped 3 minutes. Yep, shorter steep did the trick. This is a really delightful cup that changes character nicely as it cools. About the price of Twinings but I think this is a more refined cup. As I recall, Ahmad Darjeeling was also very nice.

Exceptionally good for how cheap it is! This is a strong, edgy Assam with good complexity. Loose-leaf with large pieces of broken leaves. I picked up a pound of it at a local middle-eastern store for $6.15, and I love it.

I have to steep this in for a little while,, and add a tsp of sugar but wow!! It’s so lovely… I was expecting it to be murky water but no!!! The cinnamon is in there and rooibos is so lovely. It actually reminds me of a the thai chai tea. I think I have to buy more rooibos.. plus this is definitely going in my shopping list.. I LOVE LOVE IT..

I was surprised at the flavor here. Usually fruity teas don’t seem to have much flavor. There was a nice black currant taste here. Otherwise, a mild black tea base.

This is a basic but still delicious Earl Grey. The bergamot flavor isn’t too overwhelming, which is a problem I have with some Earl Greys, and overall the taste is smooth and inoffensive.

This is just okay. It’s a pretty basic black with a slight vanilla after taste. Even after steeping it longer than directed, the vanilla flavor didn’t get any stronger. Next time, I’ll try using Vanilla Silk instead of milk and see how that improves it.

Woke up at 5:30 today.. I would have died if not for this tea. I think I’m gonna make it a regular morning thing. :o woaaah plans …

The dry scent of this tea is incredible, it’s fruity, flowery, and just lovely. Oh and it also tastes great! I’ve always been a big fan of black tea, and this just made me fall more in love… I also love how it says exclusive tea on the box.. :p.. Everyone should give this a try. I usually don’t add anything to my teas, but it’s pretty good with some agave.

Pleasant flavor, not overpowering. Smells really strong, but tastes great if you use a proper tea/water ratio. I used the standard 1tsp/8oz.

I need to get moving. This tea makes a virtue of necessity. Its brisk and fruity with just enough caffeine to start moving. I might be noticing a hint of dairy, or there just might not be enough caffeine.

A fruity, perhaps even flowery tea, quite brisk and light, very light. In fact its too light in here. That’s not the tea, I’m late for work!

I’m often overwhelmed by the bergamot oil in Earl Grey teas (including Ahmad’s). However, this tea has just enough to brighten the taste. I think it has a sort of Ceylon crispness to it. This is my current favorite breakfast tea. I normally steep for 4 minutes and I think that works better.

There are many cheap Darjeeling teas out there, but I doubt you will find one this good at this price. I picked up 10 ounces for less that $5 at my local Indian Grocery, and was pleasantly surprised. Good flavor and just the right hint of muscatel in the very pleasant aroma. The tea leaves are not the highest quality, but what a value for the price of a loose leaf Darjeeling.

A good tea to pair with an Indian meal. I should mention that you should never steep this tea for more than 3 minutes. The tin says steep for 5 to 7 minutes, but this will be a bitter brew that looses any of the delicate nuances. Maybe it is this way for their Russian clientele who use this more in a samovar — and thin the tea as needed.

A good, bold black tea. Reminiscent of Earl Grey in its citric hint, which may vary with the brewing time. A tasty cup anytime of day.